“A penny for your thoughts.”

He glanced down and found her peering up at him with a curious look. Her green eyes were beautiful to him. “Sleep. I’m right here.”

“It’s too early.”

“You’ve had a long day.”

A smile softened her lips. “It ended really well.”

He couldn’t help but smile back. “It has. I could take a nap,” he lied. He wasn’t tired but she was exhausted.

“Okay.” A yawn broke. “We’ll do that but wake me when you do.”

“I will.”

She closed her eyes as he stroked her lower back. She was small compared to Species females and they rarely allowed a male to pet them after sharing sex. They also didn’t cuddle against his side or use his biceps for a pillow. He enjoyed the feel of her so close.

Her breathing changed quickly to that of a deep sleep but he continued to touch her. She’d wanted to know what he was thinking but it wasn’t anything he wanted to share. Zandy Gordon didn’t fit into his life but she fit perfectly into his arms. He was at a loss over what to do.

A mate would leave him vulnerable in a way he never wanted to be. Mercile had taught him young to never value anything he couldn’t live without. They’d used any weakness they discovered against him and others of his kind to try to control them. He was a survivor but a mate would expose him to untold pain if he were to lose her.

It’s just sex, he tried to convince himself. He wasn’t buying that thin excuse though. A small female with red hair and green eyes had broken through his barriers of self-protection when nothing else ever had.

He’d allowed himself friends. He’d even learned to depend on other Species. It had been a risk but he’d known deep down he could survive their loss if something ever happened to them. It would cause him a lot of pain but he’d go on. The thought of something happening to Zandy made him grow icy cold inside. His hand paused on her lower back to just feel her breathing.

He could only protect her if she were with him twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. He’d have to take her to his house, barricade the doors and windows and allow no one close to her. That wasn’t any kind of life for her to have. It would be a prison similar to the one he’d grown up inside. Mercile wouldn’t be her captor—he would be. She’d grow to hate him and he wouldn’t blame her. He knew he’d have to let her go soon before he became too attached. His chest hurt from the thought.

Chapter Eight

Zandy fought a yawn but lost as Richard watched from his desk. He grinned.

“Didn’t you get enough sleep?”

“Nope.”

“I take it your date went well last night?”

Zandy just grinned.

“I’m glad to hear it. Did you get any sleep at all?”

Memory surfaced of the times Tiger had woken her during the night to make love to her—at least four times. “Not much. At dawn I had to drive myself home to shower and get ready for work.”

“You spent the night with him? That good, huh?”

She winked and focused on the letter on her computer screen.

“Does he have a name?”

“Yes.” She refused to glance at him. No way was she telling him Tiger’s name.

“I’m not going to leave you alone until you tell me who it is.”

That made her turn her head and stare at him. He looked serious. “Fine. His name is Angel.” She grinned at the private joke. Tiger would probably laugh too if she told him about calling him that.

“One of my kind.” Richard wiggled his eyebrows. “We’re sexy, aren’t we?”

“One of your kind?”

“Angel is a common Hispanic name. Latin lovers and all that.”

“You’re off base there. It’s his nickname.”

“He must not be too angelic if he kept you up all night.”

“He took me to heaven quite a few times.”

Richard laughed. “I’m glad that you met someone. So, is this going to be marriage number three?”

“Bite your tongue, man.” She hesitated, thinking it wouldn’t be so bad sleeping with Tiger every night and waking up his arms every morning. He wasn’t looking for anything long-term though. “No. Neither one of us wants something too serious. I’ve been married and divorced twice. He’s not looking for a wife. We’re just having some fun together so don’t expect a wedding invitation.”

“Do you know that saying about never saying never? Just remember that. You might fall for the man and I’ve heard the third time is the charm.”

“Or three strikes and you’re out.”

“Bah humbug. You’re too young to be so pessimistic.”

She shrugged. “He’s not up for it even if I were willing to take another shot at a relationship. He seems to enjoy his freedom too much.”

Richard smirked. “That’s what all men say until they meet the right woman. I thought about becoming a priest before I met my wife in high school. She changed my mind when I realized I couldn’t live without her. I have no regrets.”

“That’s really romantic.”

He shrugged. “I do need some help. Will you leave Reservation with me at lunch? Her birthday is coming up and I need a woman’s opinion. I want to buy her something nice but I have terrible taste in jewelry.”

Zandy nodded. “Sure. What does she like?”

“Not butterflies.” He chuckled. “I bought her a broach last year, thinking it was pretty but she wasn’t so thrilled.”

“I bet. I’ll go with you.”

He smiled. “Thanks. I don’t know too many women. My wife’s best friend was supposed to go with me but she’s sick. I have to buy it today to make sure I have time to have it inscribed. I also figure we’re going to be swamped here for the next week.”

“Why?”

“That press release last night is going to draw in some hate mail.”

She wasn’t sure what he was talking about since she’d spent the night in the woods with Tiger but didn’t want to reveal that part. Her coworker would ask too many questions but of course the NSO had a lot of press conferences. They were already pretty busy but she figured they could handle an increase in mail. The system they had implemented for incoming mail was pretty effective and smooth.

Thoughts of Tiger made the time pass quickly as she wondered how long they’d last and how their relationship would end. He wanted to see her again but hadn’t given her a time. She hated that he’d kissed her goodbye at her car and promised to call her. Her teeth dented her lip, worrying it might have been a brush-off line for goodbye.

“Zandy?”

She turned her head to peer at Richard. “Yeah?”

“It’s lunchtime.” He stood. “Snow just pulled up to escort us. Don’t forget your purse today. I doubt they’ll ask for it since you’re with me but you don’t use the front gate, do you? I’m not sure they all know you. You should take your identification.”

It stunned her that time had passed so quickly as she put on her shoes and followed him to the front door. Snow opened it before they reached it. A few minutes later he dropped them off at the parking lot near the front entrance of Reservation.

“You drive a white minivan?”

He chuckled as they climbed inside. “My wife has a matching blue one. We thought it was cute.”

“It is.” She put on her seat belt.

Richard drove them to the gates and whistled. “Wow. Look at that.”

Zandy was shocked at what she saw. “Is it always this bad around lunch? I never leave this way.” They slowly drove past at least a hundred protesters after they exited through the gate. They were glared at as some of them shouted.

“I guess they aren’t happy Justice North took a mate.”

Zandy jerked her head to stare at him. “He did? If the locals had such a problem with them why did they buy land here for Reservation?”

“How did you miss that news conference last night? It was on every channel. He married the daughter of some popular senator and all of them announced it together. Daddy was thrilled, she’s kind of hot, and Justice swears they are really happy. They sure looked it.” Richard paused. “These aren’t the town residents. Everyone who lives around here loves the New Species. All these assholes drive here to cause problems. The local motels won’t rent rooms to them so maybe that’s why they are so bitchy. They have to drive over an hour to stand out here being idiots and then at the end of the day drive another hour back.”