His other hand gripped her hip. “I heard the attackers thought you were Jessie. I can’t believe they thought you were her. Your hair is much lighter and shorter than hers. Humans are stupid. You shouldn’t have used the front gates. Didn’t you realize it would be dangerous?”

She let that one slide since he was obviously upset and didn’t she really want to be lumped into the same category as the protesters at that moment by reminding him she was human. His words made her feel a little defensive though.

“I guess we missed the news conference last night when Justice North announced he’d gotten married to the woman they mistook me for. I had no idea it wasn’t safe to leave the front gates. I take it that you know her?”

He nodded. “I know her very well and you two look nothing alike.” He took a deep breath. “I am agitated. I’m sorry. I should have called your office the moment I found out Justice had to tell the press about his mate and warned you it would antagonize the protesters.”

Zandy studied him and a hint of jealousy struck. How well did Tiger know the other redhead? It was going to bug her if she didn’t ask. “Did you ever date this Jessie?”

His mouth tensed. “No. She is Justice’s mate. I’ve never mounted her. Why would you ask that?”

She hated the fact that she was glad he’d never slept with the woman she’d been mistaken for. The idea of being a replacement version of a woman he’d lost to another man had set her on edge. “Curiosity, since some people think we look so much alike. Never mind. It’s been a stressful day.”

He caressed her cheek before dropping his hand. “I don’t want you leaving Reservation. It’s not safe. The protesters are out in full force and some have even shown up at the gate you use. That’s a long stretch of road I don’t want you traveling and someone could follow you home. They already attacked you once, thinking you were Justice’s mate. I insist you stay here for a few days until things calm.”

Disappointment hit her that he wasn’t inviting her to stay at his place. Smiley had offered to take her home and he didn’t even know her. It was a painful reminder that Tiger didn’t want anything long-term between them. It was what they’d agreed on and she’d made her bed. Sleeping in it suddenly seemed really lonely and painful.

“Okay.”

“There is space open in human housing. It’s similar to your apartment buildings. I’ll assign officers to guard you. Some of the protesters have tried to breach our walls and I want to make sure you’re safe. I will try to check on you but I’m not sure how late my shift will end. It’s going to be a long day and worse night. We’ve learned that they tend to think just because the sun goes down that it will be easier to sneak onto NSO lands.”

“I don’t have any clothes. I’ll need to take at least one trip home to get my stuff.”

“No. I’ll order you clothes from our store.” He glanced down her. “I apologize but we don’t get too many small females staying here. You’ll probably have to wear more sweats and T-shirts.”

“There’s a dress code for work.”

“Don’t worry about that. I’ll make certain no one says anything. You are safer here at Reservation until this blows over. We’ll extend the same courtesy to all NSO human employees.”

That killed her assumption that he’d done something special for her by asking her to stay where he knew she’d be safe. It drove home another reminder that they didn’t have a relationship. It stung.

“Fine. You do that. I need to get to work. I guess I’ll see you later.”

She turned away from him and he had no choice but to release her hip. The limp was noticeable as she headed toward Smiley. He saw her coming and came at her quickly.

“Zandy?” Tiger hissed.

She paused and turned her head to meet his gaze. “Yes?”

“Is something wrong? Are you angry with me?”

She swung back around and limped so close to him that she had to tilt her chin up to stare into his handsome face. He looked past her and held up his hand to halt the officer. His hand dropped to his side.

She was in pain and had been assaulted, her patience already at the limit. They didn’t have a real relationship but she wanted to be honest. It was probably the last time they’d talk anyway. She might as well give him a piece of her mind.

“I’m having a shit day if you haven’t noticed. I’m sure you are too since I know you’re the head of security here. I guess when I saw you speeding around that corner I assumed you’d heard what happened and it shook you up enough to want to see me.” She paused. “Hell, this is why I don’t get involved with men. I suck at it and we don’t have a relationship, right? Thank you for caring and checking on me. I know you need to get back to work. We’re fine.” She turned away again.

Tiger’s hand clamped down on her arm to prevent her from getting away from him. He stepped around her until he blocked her path. “Are we in a relationship?”

Her gaze dropped to his NSO work shirt. “I don’t know. Are we?” She gazed back up at him.

“I wanted to invite you to stay at my house but you’d already told me no. I didn’t want to be rejected a second time. I also have to work long hours and my home is too far from the office to sleep there while this crisis is happening. You’d be out there alone. I wanted to keep you close.”

“It wasn’t a rejection. I just said no because we barely knew each other then.”

His exotic eyes narrowed. “We know each other extremely well now.”

Sexually. “I don’t know where we’re heading and it’s scary. I missed you today and hoped you’d invite me to meet you later.” I’m falling in love with you.

“I missed you too.” He hesitated. “I will come visit you tonight and we’ll talk.”

“Okay.” She wasn’t sure if that was bad or good.

“It might be late.”

“I understand.”

His cell phone buzzed and he reached for it, never looking away from her eyes. “Yes?” He paused. “Understood. I’m on my way.” He hung up. “I have to go. Some of the humans outside the gates are acting up again.” He lifted a hand and waved Smiley forward. “Try to take a nap before I arrive.” His voice lowered even more. “I plan to do a lot more than just talk to you.” A soft purr came from him before he backed away.

Zandy’s body instantly responded to the sexy noise. The idea of seeing him later and possibly spending another night sleeping together had her nipples growing taut and her belly quivering. Him licking his lips only reminded her of what he could do with that tongue and her clit throbbed.

He faced Smiley. “I’m reassigning you to Zandy today. Take her to work and I want you to stay close to her building until after her shift is over. She’ll be staying at building H, apartment HJ until this mess ends. It’s too dangerous for her to leave Reservation. I’ll have officers meet you there later. Wait for them if they are running late. She isn’t to be left unguarded.”

“Understood.”

Tiger glanced at her one more time before he strode back to his Jeep. Another one turned the corner, probably the transportation Smiley had called. She resisted waving at Tiger as he drove away. The officer next to her sniffed loudly and she jerked her head to stare at his face.

He frowned. “Forget about that one, Zandy.”

“What?”

“You are aroused and Tiger isn’t a male you wish to pursue. He isn’t the type to take a mate. He avoids sharing sex with human females.”

Her cheeks warmed as she blushed. Oh hell. “Is there anything you guys can’t smell?”

He hesitated. “I’m not opposed to taking a mate and open to a possible lasting bond with a female. You’re injured and having a stressful day but keep me in mind if you wish to share sex. Just think about it.”

A new officer watched them from the waiting Jeep while Zandy limped toward the passenger seat. She wasn’t going to touch that one with a ten-foot pole. Not the man or the offer. She wasn’t even sure how to respond.