“Why?”

He took a few slow, steady breaths before answering. “I’m a male but I’m more. I have instincts that sometimes rule my thoughts. I wanted to mark you. Smiley warned me away from you when I arrived here and stated his intentions to try to talk you into sharing sex with him. The idea of him touching you sent me into a rage.”

“I’m not interested in anyone but you. Is that why you had me swear off other men?”

“Yes. I think I’d attack any male who touched you. I am trying to be honest. I don’t want a mate but I feel things for you, Zandy. It confuses me and drives me a little insane. I’m not someone who should take a mate.”

She could relate to that. The memories of two broken marriages haunted her. She’d tried to make her relationships work but they hadn’t. The thought of opening herself up to another serious commitment was frightening. Tiger and she came from two different worlds, or so it seemed. His past was completely foreign to her and hers would be to him. Opposites attracted but long-term it probably wouldn’t work.

The silence between them stretched. Zandy finally pulled herself away from her grim musings. “May I ask you something?”

“Anything.”

“Smiley said something that worried me.”

“Did he threaten you?” His voice turned scary.

“No. He said my scent is changing and that he thinks I’m going to ovulate. He said I should hide it from New Species men. Can you smell anything?”

“Yes. He’s right.”

“That’s so weird. Will men really be attracted to me because of that?”

“Yes.”

“I’m trying not to freak out that your sense of smell is that good. It makes me wonder about all the other little things you can pick up with your nose. I hope my deodorant is working well enough.” She rubbed his arm as she babbled, knowing she was doing it but couldn’t stop. “Good thing we don’t have to worry about pregnancy. I hope it’s not an offensive smell like body odor. Please tell me I don’t stink.” She inwardly winced at the thought.

He said nothing.

“Did you fall asleep on me?”

“No. I’m awake and you smell wonderful. It’s an attractive scent. I wish I could stay the night but I can’t. I have to leave soon.”

“Oh.” Disappointment hit. “I like sleeping with you.”

“I like that too.”

He lifted his head and she turned to peer into his eyes. “Do you have to leave right now?”

“Soon. I have to use your shower first. Otherwise the officers outside will smell you all over me the second I walk out the door.”

Pain hit and her gaze darted away from his. “I guess that would be a bad thing if anyone found out we were sleeping together.”

He gripped her jaw and she met his eyes again. He was frowning. “I am not ashamed of us or what we do. Is that what you think?”

“I’m not sure. You confuse me. You told me to tell other men it’s you who turns me on if they smell that on me but now you’re going to shower to hide that you were with me. That’s a contradiction.”

“I think we should figure out what is happening between us before we allow others to know we are seeing each other.”

“You are the head of security and I work for the NSO. I guess that could make things complicated. You’re not officially my boss, are you?”

“I don’t believe so. That would be Slade. He’s in charge of hiring human employees.”

She took a deep breath. “I’ve had enough relationships fail to really want to avoid the pitying looks and personal questions if we stop seeing each other.”

The image of Richard and Creek interrogating her over what was going on between her and Tiger was enough to be in full agreement that they should hide their relationship a little longer. Then there was her family.

She inwardly groaned. One more lecture from her mother about dating men who weren’t right for her was the last thing she wanted to hear. The fact that Tiger was New Species was going to be a huge drawback in her family’s opinion. It wasn’t as if she could take him home to meet the family on holidays either. She was pretty certain they weren’t allowed to leave the NSO compounds to take vacations.

“So, we’re exclusive.”

He stared at her. “What does that mean?”

“I swore I wouldn’t see anyone else and I expect the same promise from you.”

He smiled. “You’re the only female I want.”

Her eyebrow lifted. “You’re a man.”

“What does that mean?”

She hesitated. “We’re exclusive, right?”

His expression turned serious. “I’m not human, Zandy.”

“Is that man code for you expect me to be loyal to you but you won’t make the same commitment?” Anger stirred. “That’s bullshit.”

“I won’t be sharing sex with any other females. You have my word on that.”

Zandy studied his eyes and saw honesty there. “Okay. Good. I’m not a doormat.”

“You’re sexy and beautiful.” A chuckle escaped him. “I take it that’s a human saying that means you won’t allow me to step on your feelings?”

“Good guess.”

“Hurting you is the last thing I want.”

“Yeah. Me too. It sucks.”

“Males have hurt you before.”

“Married and divorced twice, remember?”

His hand massaged her lower belly. “They were idiots. They should have known how to treat you to make sure they never lost you.”

She had nothing to say to that, unsure how to respond. Tiger could have her easily if he said he wanted something more serious between them. It scared her to leave herself open to possible heartbreak but she couldn’t deny her strong feelings for him, which were deepening every moment they spent together.

“I need to get a little sleep. I have to be back at work in a few hours. We’re still dealing with a lot of threats. The protesters have thinned but they will return first thing in the morning. They always do.”

He lowered his mouth and brushed a tender kiss on her lips. Her arms wrapped around his neck and her fingers played with his hair. She loved to fist the soft strands. A low growl emitted from him as he deepened the kiss. He slowly pulled away, to her regret.

“Don’t tempt me to stay, little one. I couldn’t say no to you right now and I need to.”

Temptation was a bitch, she decided, as she released him. She really wanted to seduce him into staying with her but he looked tired. He hadn’t gotten to take a nap the way she had before he’d woken her. “Go shower. When will I see you again?”

“Tomorrow evening. I’ll come back.”

“Okay.”

He cupped her cheek and stared deeply into her eyes. “I’ll be thinking about you.”

“Ditto.”

He chuckled as he released her and rolled away. She watched him strut naked into her bathroom, appreciating his firm, gorgeous ass. The room darkened when he closed the door between them, blocking out the light. She turned onto her stomach and closed her eyes.

* * * * *

Tiger eased out of the bathroom and stood watching Zandy sleep. Her slow breathing assured him of that. He couldn’t resist sitting on the edge of her bed for a little while. Her face was turned his way and he reached out to brush a strand of her hair away from her cheek.

It would be so easy to scoop her up, blankets and all, and just take her to his house. Of course he wasn’t going there tonight. He’d bunk at Security on a cot. His gaze turned to the clock to learn it was well after midnight. He wanted to just curl up against her side and sleep, holding her in his arms.

It took every ounce of willpower to stand and get dressed. He left her bedroom quietly and exited the apartment. Two officers sat in a Jeep at the curb and both males stared at him. He made sure her door was locked before he avoided them by jogging off toward Security. He waved to the other officer he’d assigned to guard the back of the building after the breach. The exercise was always welcome when he had a lot on his mind.

He might not want a mate but the idea of losing Zandy to another male set him on edge. He was possessive of her and he’d marked her. The taste of her blood was something he’d never forget. Or her scent. He ran faster until he stressed his body to the point of exhaustion.