The arms around her waist tightened but then relaxed. His hands rubbed gently, almost a pat to assure her she was safe. She continued to stare into his sexy eyes. They were very attractive and she didn’t want to look away. The urge to explore his body with her hands struck again. Would he mind? Get angry? Stop her? She opened her mouth to ask permission but never got the words out.

A faint sound from outside drew her attention to the door. The body under hers seemed to harden all over and she gasped when the arms tightened around her waist. Shadow moved fast for someone who’d just woke. He shifted her quickly, lifted her to the side, and she watched with wide eyes as he crouched on the floor next to her. A deep snarl burst from his throat and his hands clawed against the concrete flooring in preparation to launch an attack. She could see his lips part and he showed his fangs.

The door burst open and Beauty whimpered, terrified at the sight of two big men filling the doorway. She almost slid off the long box in her haste to flee. She ended up huddled on it instead. Her attention shifted to Shadow. He was big and he was defending her against danger. Some of her fear eased.

The two men who stepped inside were in uniform. Shadow slowly rose to his full height. “Hello. I apologize. I heard someone approach and didn’t realize it was you.”

Beauty stared at the two officers as they watched her. She noticed both of them had paled. The one on the left snarled and rage changed his features into something scary as he glared at Shadow.

“She’s Gift. What are you doing with her?”

“I can explain.” Shadow growled back.

“Really?” The other man glanced at Shadow’s waist. “I see what you were doing.”

Beauty realized what the men thought had occurred. Shadow was definitely aroused and the flag tied around his waist did nothing to hold down his erect cock. She tore her attention away from it and slowly uncurled her body to slide off the box and stand.

“It isn’t that way,” Shadow protested. “I found her running in the storm.”

“You thought you’d take advantage of her?” One of the men reached for the radio clipped to his belt, quickly using it to call in for help. “This is Book. Get a female officer to the park now. We have a Gift Female on scene with a Species male inside the sports equipment building. Code red.”

“No.” Shadow backed up, his hands raised, palms out. “It isn’t a code red.”

“Move away from the Gift Female,” the man ordered.

“Wait!” Beauty inched closer to Shadow’s side.

The two officers ignored her. “Walk forward, outside and do not resist. We are taking you to Security.”

“I said wait!” She spoke louder.

“Jericho, you know me,” Shadow hissed. “This isn’t what it appears. Inhale. I did not share sex with her.”

“It doesn’t matter. You were alone with her and neither of you are dressed. We located your abandoned cart and have been searching for you. You obviously spent the time with her. You need to explain this.”

“Stop!” Beauty yelled, actually stepping in front of Shadow to get between him and the officers. “This isn’t…he didn’t…just stop!”

“I’m trying to tell you what happened,” Shadow spoke at the same time.

One of the officers finally lowered his accusing gaze and it softened when he met hers. “You are safe. A female is on her way. Remain calm and please step away from the male.”

“No. I won’t.” She opened her arms wide and made sure no one would get around her to reach Shadow. “He didn’t do anything to me.”

“Beauty,” Shadow spoke behind her, “move out of the way. I’ll go outside with them.”

She turned her head to stare at him, more than a little upset that he seemed to be in trouble for spending the night alone with her. “No. You didn’t do anything.”

His expression became shuttered. “I broke rules when I didn’t immediately radio in the situation. You’re not helping me. Please step aside and wait for a female to arrive. It will be fine.”

She studied him closely but she couldn’t tell if he was being honest or not. Her arms dropped to her sides and she faced him, noting that he wasn’t aroused anymore since the flag draped smoothly over his thighs.

“It will be fine,” he assured her a second time. “It will make it worse if you don’t allow me to go.”

“Okay.”

She didn’t know what to do as he bent to retrieve his discarded clothing and boots. The officers stepped outside with him and the door closed after them, leaving her alone inside the equipment building. Beauty darted to her discarded nightgown but it was still wet. She released it and stared at the door, straining to pick up any conversation.

It was too quiet and she wanted to go outside to make sure Shadow wasn’t in trouble but hesitated. The other men had seemed really angry and they frightened her a little. She hated not having the courage to march out there and state again that she hadn’t been hurt.

Minutes passed before the door opened and dread gripped her when Kit entered, anger forming crinkles around her mouth and eyes. The tall Species woman wore her work uniform. She always intimidated Beauty a little.

The feline sniffed loudly before her gaze swept the room and halted on Beauty. “Are you harmed? Did that male do anything to you?”

“No.”

“How did he take you from the dorm?”

“He didn’t. I went for a run in the storm and he found me.”

“I bet he did.”

“He wanted to call for someone right away but I asked him to stay with me. He didn’t do anything wrong.”

“Sit.”

Beauty instantly sat on the edge of the box, the other Species’ tone so harsh it made her knees weak.

“I don’t smell sex but there are things a male can do to hide the scent. Did he force you to put your mouth on his dick?” She growled the words. “Did he ask you to touch him?”

“No.”

“Don’t lie for him!”

“I’m not.” Tears filled her eyes at the ugly accusations, a reaction she couldn’t help. “He didn’t do anything wrong. He just stayed with me the way I asked. The storm was bad and we slept here.”

Kit stomped closer and gripped Beauty’s arm. “Let’s go.”

Beauty was hauled to her feet and pulled to the door. The rain had stopped when they stepped out into the early morning sunshine. The grass was cold and squishy under her bare feet. It surprised her when she glanced around to find no one else nearby. Shadow and the two officers were gone.

“You need to be trained better,” Kit hissed. “Gifts are clueless children and I don’t enjoy babysitting you. I keep telling Ellie and Breeze you need to be toughened up and taught to fight but they coddle you. A male would never pull this shit on a female officer.” The hand tightened as she walked faster, pulling Beauty alongside her through the park.

“Do you know what he could have done to you? Anything. You’re weak and wouldn’t have been able to stop him. You even allowed him to spend the night with you. That’s stupid. Do you know anything about our males? He could have seduced you and you couldn’t handle that.” She snarled a curse under her breath. “Never mind. Just don’t talk at all. I’m furious.”

“Shadow is—”

“I said don’t talk.” Kit came to an abrupt halt and growled, showing fangs. “I was on my way to breakfast when I received the assistance code. I’m hungry and want to eat. Instead I’m taking you home. You’re grounded for a week. No privileges. You aren’t to leave your room.”

Defiance rose inside Beauty and she jerked hard to free her arm from Kit’s hold. “I’m not a child!”

Feline eyes narrowed and Kit growled. “You need a spanking and I might give you one if you don’t shut up.”

“Shadow didn’t do anything wrong and I’m not weak or stupid. I’m an adult and probably almost as old as you are. You can’t restrict my privileges and don’t threaten to hit me. You should have been a canine mix because you’re a bitch.”