“What does that mean?”
“Some of my kind have taken humans as mates. They aren’t as tormented inside as I am. They adjusted to freedom better and can provide those females with positive emotions and tenderness. I have neither. I am restless and wouldn’t take to a stable relationship well. I don’t have a heart to give. I don’t do commitment.”
The air froze inside her lungs until the jealousy passed. “You mean you sleep around with other women?”
His jaw clenched, the muscle taut. He hesitated. “I don’t seek female companionship. I scare most of them. They see me as too cold. I’m saying I would never offer anything more than physical pleasure.”
He was hot. She totally disagreed with the female New Species assessment if that’s what they really thought of him. “Understood. You’re not looking for anything long-term.”
“I don’t stay in one place for long. I transfer between Homeland and Reservation often. I will visit the Wild Zone for days or weeks at a time without bothering to stay inside the cabins provided there. I enjoy sleeping outdoors. Mates need a full-time male who is always there to protect them. That won’t ever be me.”
Message received. He was offering a one-night stand. She took a deep breath and stepped closer to him. “I’m kind of good at taking care of myself and I’m not looking for anything long-term either. I’m married to my job. I travel a lot too.”
“Are you married to it right now?”
“I’m not working at this moment. This is my own time.”
His clenched fingers opened and he crossed his arms over his chest, regarding her with a frown. “You’re human.”
“I am.”
“They wish for more than to just share sex with a male.”
Amused, she smiled. “Are you an expert on them? If so, here’s a lesson. We’re not all the same.”
He wet his lips with his tongue. “You want to fuck me?”
She took another step closer, had to lift her chin to keep staring into his eyes, and knew she was playing with fire. He was blunt. She did want him, though, and had since they’d first met. There wasn’t a time she could recall of ever having been more attracted to a man.
“You like direct, don’t you?”
“Yes.” His voice deepened.
“Okay. I want you, Darkness. I’m not looking for an engagement ring or a lifetime commitment. I’m bad with the whole relationship thing. Tried it and failed miserably. Men tend to resent my job and my independence after a while. They are also irritated when they know I could take them in a fight.”
“I’d win if we tussled.”
She glanced at his powerful arms and well-built body, agreeing. She lifted her hand and placed it on his forearm. His skin was hot to the touch, just like him. “You don’t scare me.”
He slowly unfolded his arms and firm, large hands encased her hips. One jerk and she was flattened against his chest roughly enough to make her gasp. Their bodies pressed together. The bulge against her belly assured her he was interested in her too.
“This is one game you don’t want to play.”
“I’m not playing.”
He lowered his head while staring at her face. She wished she could see his beautiful eyes better in the dim night. The scent of his masculine cologne, or whatever it was that smelled so good, teased her nose. The urge to get closer became strong.
“You should tell me no while you can.”
“I don’t want to.”
He drew in a ragged breath, his chest invading her space and pressing against her breasts. “I’ll take you. Do you understand?”
“Your place or mine? Let’s go.”
He glanced around and his hold on her loosened. “Yours. The patrols will be by here soon.” He held her gaze. “Or I’d take you where you stand.”
Sexy. She’d totally do him on the grass but wasn’t about to admit that. “Let’s go.”
He stepped back and his hands dropped away. “I come with conditions, Kat.”
“What are they?”
He hesitated. “You do what I say when it comes to sex.”
“You’re one of those.” She felt a little disappointed. “I’m not the Master-and-slave type. Sorry but I won’t drop to my knees on command to blow you or enjoy being smacked.”
“That’s not what I meant. I’m going to tie your hands to the headboard so you can’t touch me. Will you agree to that?”
“Why?”
He hesitated. “Remember when I had you in interrogation? I would have lost control of the situation if you’d had your hands free. That’s part of the terms. There will be no hitting involved but I’m not one of your humans. I just want to fuck you while I’m in control of it. It’s safer for both of us that way. Don’t ever forget what I said to you about an out-of-control male.”
Everything they’d shared inside that interrogation room flashed through her mind. “You want to repeat what happened between us before but this time you plan to finish what you start?”
“Yes. That’s half of my terms.”
“What’s the other half?”
He lowered his head and stared into her eyes. “Don’t lie to me this time. Everything that comes out of your mouth will be the truth when I have you naked or don’t say anything at all.”
His intense stare reminded her of why she was really there. That really dampened her mood. “Why would you want to take me to bed if you think I’m going to lie to you? That’s what you’re implying.”
“This is just about sex. Trust is earned but we’re strangers. I’m making that a term, Kat. No lies between us when we’re naked. Lie to me any other time and I won’t take it personally. You never want me to feel betrayed by you. Do you understand? It would be dangerous.”
She did and that scared her. He had made it clear that he suspected she was at Homeland for other reasons than to teach her classes. It was there between them, larger than life.
“I understand and accept the terms.”
“Also, this stays between you and me only. No one is to know what happens between us sexually. Do you agree?”She wanted him. “Yes.”
It was a bargain she hoped she wouldn’t regret. He’d given her the option of not talking at all if something he asked her crossed a line where she’d have to lie. She appreciated that but silence would be as telling as just blurting out the truth. It was stupid to follow him back to her cottage but she wanted him enough to risk it. Even if it meant putting her career on the line.
Chapter Seven
“Go inside and wash off that perfume,” Darkness ordered the moment they entered her back yard.
“I forgot what you said about it bothering your nose. Do you want to join me in the shower?” She glanced at his hands and face. “You’ve got blood on you still.”
“I’ll wash up next door and return in about fifteen minutes. Don’t bother putting anything on. Just a towel. Leave the slider unlocked.”
He expected her to protest. She was a strong-willed female but she just nodded curtly. “Okay. See you in fifteen.”
He hurried next door, snatched up his cell phone and dialed. It rang while he opened the laptop on his bed. Security answered.
“Hi, Darkness. You ready to take the feed over again?”
“Yes.” He punched commands into the keyboard. “Thanks.” He disconnected the feed to Security.
The screen showed that Kat paced in the bedroom. She didn’t seem too eager to take a shower and he wondered if she’d changed her mind. Darkness locked down the feed so no one else could view the cameras that watched her every move. He’d rather be safe than sorry. He rose and entered the bathroom, tearing off his clothing.
When the blood washed off he saw that the fight with Fury had left him bruised. There were some minor cuts on his hands. He put on a pair of silky sleeping pants, entered the bedroom and he sat on the bed. Kat wasn’t on screen. He changed the location of the feed until he found her in the bathroom.
She had washed her hair and body and had a towel around her middle. Her hand lifted and she wiped steam off the mirror to peer at her reflection. Her lips moved and he activated the sound. Did she have some type of listening device they hadn’t found to talk to whoever she worked for? It infuriated him since he’d purposely not invaded her privacy in that one room until then.
“Fine,” she whispered. “You want him. He wants you. What’s the worst that could happen?” She straightened and closed her eyes, taking a few deep breaths. “I’ll regret this if I chicken out.” Her eyes opened and she leaned forward again, taking in her reflection. “I’m not a chicken. It’s going to be fine. He won’t hurt me.”
He studied her ears, looking for listening devices but saw none. Who is she talking to? He couldn’t hear anyone else.
“Okay, enough of the pep talk before he shows up and hears me talking to myself.”
He relaxed. She turned away from the mirror and exited the bathroom, flipping off the light as she went. He switched the feed. She entered the bedroom and stared at the bed. The vulnerable look on her face made him regretful. He had asked her to trust him when he wasn’t willing to do the same. No female would ever be allowed to tie him to a bed. He shuddered at the thought.