“He’s an adult male. I thought humans left home after they finished their schooling.”
“They are supposed to, but some men enjoy being pampered by their mothers a little too much. I’m betting that is the case with this one. He’s probably looking for a woman who can do everything his mother does, plus have sex with him. That’s not going to be me.”
“That’s strange.”
“Some people are.”
“I’m covered.”
Dana turned and had to seal her lips. Mourn wore a flag wrapped around his waist, but the expanse of his muscled chest, stomach and arms was an onslaught she had not been prepared for. It had been dark enough in the park the night he’d lent her his shirt that she hadn’t gotten a really good look. The light inside the shed revealed every inch of him in detail. He had the best body she’d ever seen. He looked even bigger and more impressive in the small, enclosed space. The only flaws were a few bruises from the fight he’d been in, and his bandaged arm. The one on his leg was gone, and the wound looked as if it had happened a week or so ago instead of just a matter of days. It impressed her.
He smiled. “We’re dry.”
He’d said something, and it took a second for his words to sink in. She lifted her gaze to stare at his face. “Yes, we are.”
He inched closer and sat on the padded seat. “Are you cold? Species have a hotter body temperature than humans. You could sit on my lap and I’ll keep you warm.”
She swallowed hard, staring at his body again. “Um…” Just imagining that made her cheeks feel flushed. He made it worse when he opened his arms, indicating he actually meant it.
“I won’t hurt you, Dana.”
The way he softened his tone and peered at her with those beautiful eyes actually lured her an unconscious step closer. “Um…” She didn’t even know how to respond. It wasn’t proper. She’d never gotten that close to a half-naked guy before, except Tommy.
“It’s okay,” he urged. “Come here.”
She wanted to. That was the confusing part. He leaned forward a little, keeping eye contact. She didn’t perceive a threat there, but couldn’t discount his size or strength. Any other guy would have had her fleeing from the shed.
“I miss holding someone. Let me put my arms around you.”
Those whispered, hoarse words were the temptation she couldn’t resist. Her heart raced but she inched closer, uncertain how to gracefully take a seat. Mourn didn’t seem to have that problem. He just reached out and gently maneuvered her until she found her ass resting over one of his thighs and her legs bent over his other one. She sat sideways and he hugged her closer, his arms wrapped around her in a gentle embrace.
They were both tense, but he relaxed first. The hard muscles under her butt softened slightly and he snuggled her against his chest. She leaned her head to the side a little until her cheek rested near his heart. She could hear it beating almost as fast as her own. That made her feel better. She took a deep breath, blew it out, and forced the tension out of her body.
“This is nice.” He shifted a little. “You’re so small.”
He was really big, but she didn’t comment on that. “You are warm.” He felt feverish again, a reminder of when she’d first held his hand in Medical.
“You smell good.”
She had to clear her throat. “Thank you.”
“Do I?”
It was probably the strangest interaction she’d had with a man, but he was New Species, and they were very straightforward. Dana inhaled, closing her eyes. “Yes.” He carried a manly scent, not overpowering but pleasant. He sure was different from Morgan, her coworker, who loved to douse on cologne until she could almost taste it.
“See? You’re safe with me.”
“I trust you.” It was true. They had a lot in common. He had told her his mate was the only woman he’d ever had sex with. It wasn’t as if he were some guy putting the moves on her. He was probably as inept as she would be at making sexual advances.
He brushed his cheek against her head, a light caress. “Warmer?”
“Yes.”
“Good.”
She struggled to think of something to say. The first thing that popped into her head came bursting out. “What did you do today?”
“I asked for an assignment.”
It distracted her from her awareness of him as a man, and that she was held in his arms. “What happened? Did they give you a job?”
“They refuse to allow me to work anywhere near humans, but said I could patrol the interior of Homeland. I took a shift.”“How did that go?”
“It wasn’t bad. I made some Species nervous but they spoke to me.”
“Why were they nervous?”
“They expected me to start fights but I didn’t.”
“What do you do on patrol?” She shifted on his lap and got a little more comfortable.
“I entered each building to see if everyone was all right. I was on duty for four hours to test how I’d work out. No one complained so Fury said I could do it again tomorrow. My shift starts at noon.”
“That’s great.” She wasn’t sure where to put her hands so she rested them on her lap. “How do you feel?”
“Really good.” His arms tightened around her and he sat back on the bench, taking her with him so she leaned more closely against him.
She couldn’t disagree. He did feel really good. Warm, soft in all the right places, but that’s when something hard pressed against the back of her thighs. It took her a second to realize what it was, and she gasped.
“Don’t be alarmed. It’s a physical response.”
He had a hard-on. There was no missing that with it pressed against the underside of her legs between her ass and knees, where she sat across his lap. Her breathing speeded up and she tried to slow it down. Fear wasn’t the cause. She didn’t think he was going to do anything bad to her.
“Dana? Are you okay?”
She nodded mutely.
“Look at me.” He leaned his head away from hers.
Dana hesitated, but worked up her courage. It was slightly embarrassing to know they were both aware of his physical state. She lifted her chin and stared into his eyes.
“I’d never harm you,” he swore, and sincerity shone from those striking eyes. “Please don’t fear me.”
“I should probably get off your lap. I guess this was a bad idea, huh?” She blushed. “I, wow, this is awkward.”
He didn’t open his arms. She wasn’t sure what to say. “Is it?”
“I like holding you. I enjoy the way you feel in my arms and how you smell.” He had no difficulty finding words.
Dana swallowed hard, keeping eye contact. “Paul told me to ditch the perfume and cosmetics. He gave me bathing stuff so I won’t make New Species sneeze while I’m here. It’s probably the new shampoo and conditioner I’m using. This isn’t appropriate.” That was a good way to put it.
“Human laws don’t apply to me.”
“It’s not a law. It’s just that…” She faltered when he leaned in closer and sniffed at her. A low purring sound came from his chest, and it caused small vibrations against her arm where she leaned into him.
“It’s just that what?”
He expected an answer but all she could do was stare into his eyes. “I should get up,” she finally blurted.
He still didn’t open his arms. “Why? I like you here. Are you uncomfortable?”
He was actually cozy to sit on. He was big, warm, and he held her gently. It was just that the feel of his erection pressed against the back of her thighs beneath the thin material of the flags wasn’t something she could ignore.
“I’m male. I react to you. It doesn’t mean I’m going to strip you bare and expect you to share sex with me.”
Her breathing picked up speed and her heart pounded. The image of him doing that left her reeling. She wasn’t certain how to feel about it. Her gaze lowered to his chest and then to his broad shoulders. He was strong enough to do anything he wanted to her but she didn’t fear him. She looked up and studied his eyes. They drew her in, so unique and gorgeous. She’d never seen anything like them before and the novelty wasn’t wearing off. She could stare into them for an endless amount of time.
“We like to talk. Tell me what you are thinking.”
“You feel really big.” She regretted the blurted words, and heat flamed her cheeks. She ducked her head and lifted one hand, covering her eyes. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to say that. It was the first thing that popped into my head.”
He chuckled. “I am big. See? We’re talking and being honest. I like this. Why are you blushing? It is appealing.”
Dana peeked back at him. He watched her with a slight smile on his face. His amusement was easy to identify. “You’re enjoying this.”
“A little.” He shrugged. “I will let you go if you really want me to, but I’d like to keep holding you. It feels nice.”
It did. If she could just ignore that it wasn’t his thigh pressed against the back of hers. “It does,” she admitted.
“I wouldn’t know how to convince you to share sex with me. You’re not Species.” He frowned and glanced down at the top of where the flag was tucked around her breasts. “The last thing I’d want is to make you fear me. Humans are vastly different.”