He’d hunt down Douglas Miller quickly and efficiently to take out the threat to Beauty. There was no other option. As long as the male remained alive and free, he would use his vast resources to keep sending mercenaries after her and paying Mercile doctors to recreate drugs to hurt their people.
It would also feel good to destroy the male who’d harmed his Beauty. He growled low in his throat, unable to hold back the anger. Beauty must have felt the vibration it caused inside his chest because her head rose and her beautiful brown eyes peered up at him questioningly.
He smiled, assuring her he was fine. He stroked down her spine and arched his back a little to indicate she should rest while the flight was in progress. They couldn’t talk. It was too loud without headsets. The entire team would hear each word if they spoke through those.
She got his silent message and relaxed against him. Shadow closed his eyes, content to just hold her while he made plans. Once he made sure Beauty was safe, he could ask her to be his mate. If she said no, he’d just have to convince her. He wasn’t above using seduction. All those damn videos he’d been forced to watch while his semen was stolen had taught him a thing or two about what females enjoyed.
One way or another, he’d convince Beauty to stay with him forever.
Chapter Twenty
Beauty watched Shadow with a sense of fear and dread as he leaned down and brushed a kiss on her forehead. He was leaving her at the dorm to go to a meeting. While he didn’t seem happy, he wasn’t expressing a lot of regret either.
“You’ll be safe here. You’re home.”
She wanted him to stay but kept silent.
“The females are going to guard you.”
“I’m safe at Homeland.” She wasn’t sure why two women had dragged chairs out of their apartments to sit in the hallway to watch her door.
“You are.” He straightened. “I’ll just feel better knowing they are there.”
“The security is tight. No one can get inside the dorms. There are locks, the windows are bulletproof and no one can smash their way inside. There are even cameras. Officers would be all over anyone unauthorized if they even approached the building.”
He hesitated. “Some of the females have male visitors.”
“They couldn’t get inside unless someone walked them through the doors. Do you think any of the Species men are a danger to me?”
“I didn’t say that.”
“Is there something I don’t know?”
“No.”
They watched each other. Beauty suddenly touched him, her fingertips resting on his biceps. She stepped closer, having to raise her chin. He was really tall, something she tended to forget when they were seated, especially when she was on his lap and it made them about the same height.
“Shadow, you’re being overprotective. I understand. You almost died protecting me earlier. I appreciate that but I’m in no danger. This is my home.”
He lowered his head to bring them closer and his hands encased her hips. “Humor me.”
The tension dissipated as she smiled, amused. “There are a lot of things I’d do for you.” It was fun to tease him. “Or to you. Are you sure that’s what you want?”
She grew a little brazen, her gaze slowly raking down his body to the front of his sweatpants. There was no missing how he physically reacted to her attention when the outline of his cock became noticeable, growing thicker and larger. He wanted her as much as she did him.
A soft growl made her glance up. Shadow’s eyes had gone sexy, that passionate look in them something she identified immediately. His hold on her tightened and he lowered his face more.
“You’re purposely being troublesome.”
“I don’t want you to go.” It might seem needy to admit it but it was the truth.“Keep looking at me there and I won’t go.” He suddenly released her though and stepped back enough to break the physical contact. “I have to go. They are waiting for me.”
“Justice and the others?”
“Yes. I’ve yet to give a report. I need to do this.”
“May I go with you? They might have questions for me.”
She’d do anything to avoid being left behind, worried he wouldn’t return. Attending a meeting full of men didn’t sound fun but at least he’d be at her side. She had a bad feeling the term “out of sight, out of mind” might apply to her when it came to Shadow.
He suddenly lowered to his knees. “Come here.” His arms opened wide.
She quickly closed the distance. She liked it when he hugged her tightly and she wrapped her arms around him, burying her face against his neck. He was so big and so Shadow.
“What is really wrong? Tell me.”
She hesitated. Men didn’t like clingy women. Every book she’d read had taught her that and it was exactly how she felt. She didn’t want him to leave, was afraid it would end what they’d begun, and she didn’t want to return to her solitary life.
“Beauty?” He squeezed her tighter, not exactly a warning but the message was clear. He wouldn’t release her until he had answers.
“I don’t want to lose you,” she blurted.
One of his hands slid from her waist to her ass, to grip one cheek. He squeezed. “Is that why you are purposely delaying me?”
She loved his hand on her butt, so close to other places she wanted him touching her. “Yes. Everything is so new. What if you don’t come back?”
He held her and buried his face against her neck, nuzzling her with his nose. He inhaled her scent, his chest vibrating against hers when he softly rumbled a sexy sound. “You couldn’t keep me out of your bed if you tried, love. I’m on my knees for you. Do you think just anyone could drop me to them?”
“You’re just trying to appear nonthreatening.”
He chuckled and his lips teased the sensitive area just under her earlobe. His hot, wet tongue slid across the same spot. Beauty’s fingers weaved into his hair, holding him there. He squeezed her ass again but slid that hand back to her waist. It was disappointing.
“True, but it wasn’t the only reason. I want you to know you leave me vulnerable.”
She pulled back and so did he until she could see his eyes. Honesty brimmed there as she studied them. “What does that mean?”
“You only want me, right?”
“Yes.”
“No one else?”
“Never.”
A smile curved his lips. “I feel the same. You’re all I want. We have a lot to discuss but for now they are waiting for me in Justice’s office. You don’t want to get me yelled at, do you?” His tone became teasing. “That male is scary when angry.”
“He is.” She smiled back. “Okay. I’ll be good and allow you to leave without delaying you more. Just hurry back.”
He grew somber. “I don’t know how long it will take. I have some things to do.”
“Hours?”
He hesitated. “Perhaps days. I’m not sure. I will be back and we’ll talk.”
“Okay.” She didn’t have any choice and he was promising to return. That’s all she could ask of him for now. “I’ll miss you.” Admitting that put her pride at stake but it was a chance she was willing to take.
“I’ll miss you as well.” He glanced at her breasts. “So much.”
She laughed. “Hurry back to me then.”
A knock sounded at the door. “Shadow? Security just called, asking where you are.” It was Kit, her irritation clear. “Quit playing with the Gift and move your ass.”
Shadow frowned. Beauty clenched her teeth. They regarded each other and she spoke first.
“That woman is a bitch,” she whispered.
“I heard that. Get a move on, Shadow.”
He rose to his feet, releasing her. One look down his body made him utter a soft curse. Beauty followed his gaze and grinned. He’d gone from semi-aroused to full-blown impressive in size. There was no way to hide the state of his body.
He turned, walked to her sink, and turned on water. Beauty watched in fascination as he wet his hands, reached up to the back of his neck, and rubbed.
“What are you doing?”
He shot her a grin. “Attempting to think of something besides you being so close to a bed.” He closed his eyes, repeated the process of wetting the back of his neck and finally turned off the water. His cock wasn’t as hard when he stepped around the counter into view. “Stay inside and I’ll be back as soon as everything is taken care of.”
“Okay.”
She hated to see him go but she held still until he left her apartment. Kit stepped inside when he attempted to close the door. He paused, staring at her, but then walked on when the feline smiled after pointedly staring at his groin.
“Isn’t he cute?” Kit closed the door behind her, leaning against it.
“You can’t have him. He’s mine.” Beauty glared.
“I wanted to make sure you were okay. We heard what happened.” Kit stayed where she was. “We almost lost you to the humans.”
“I’m sorry if it disappoints you that it didn’t happen.”
The other woman’s expression blanked then she frowned. “I’m not as bad as you think. I don’t dislike you. I’m glad you’re safe.”
“I annoy you. You think I’m weak.” There was no use pretending otherwise. Beauty spoke her mind. “It would probably make your life easier if I had been stolen.”