She didn’t want to think about her destroyed house. She’d have to call her insurance company but didn’t want to deal with it at that moment. “I have to leave at some point to go home.”

A soft growl passed his lips. “No, you don’t.”

She was unsure what that meant.

He took a deep breath and blew it out, his expression softening. “You can’t go home, Zandy. You will stay with me.”

A hundred questions sprang into her mind. She tried to decide which one to ask first. Did he mean he wanted her to live with him or that he expected her to stay in the apartment she’d been assigned? Tiger seemed to take her silence as a refusal.

“You’re not leaving Reservation.” His hold on her face tightened. “I won’t allow it.”

That stunned her. “What?”

He growled, clearly angry. “Look what happened to you in the out world. It won’t happen again. I’m going to keep you safe.”

“What does tha—”

He pulled her face closer to cover her lips with his, muting her with a hot kiss. His tongue delved inside her mouth, tasting and exploring. His arm hooked around her waist and she fell against his chest when he yanked her to him. The hand on her face slid to the back of her head where he fisted her hair, making sure she couldn’t get away.

Zandy didn’t want to. She’d missed Tiger and had thought she’d never see him again. Actions spoke louder than words and the passionate kiss he laid on her spoke volumes that their relationship wasn’t over. He pulled her tighter against his chest, almost crushing her to him. The hand at her back fisted her shirt and shoved it up. He released it and gripped her side.

Pain made her gasp against his tongue and he snarled, breaking the kiss. They were both out of breath as their gazes met. His blue eyes narrowed with concern.

“I am being too rough. I’m sorry.”

“It’s not that. I have some bruises.”

Rage tightened his features. “Did they beat you?”

“No. They had me strapped to a bench with belts and they were tight enough to dig into my skin when they were carrying me around. I’m fine.”

“Take off your clothes,” he demanded. “I want to see all of you.”

Her eyebrows rose. “We’re in the Medical Center. Anyone can walk in.”

“Lock the door.”

“I’m fine. Just don’t grab me there.” She tried to kiss him again but he pulled back.

“Take off all of your clothes and show me.”

He looked pretty determined.

“It—”

“Do it.”

He was being unusually aggressive and demanding. “Did they already give you that drug to help you heal?”

“Yes. I want to see every inch of you right now.”

She just hoped he wouldn’t order her to leave and start saying she was his enemy again.

“There is a lock on the door.” He released her. “Lock it and strip out of your clothes.”

“I’m really fine.”

“Do it, or I’ll tear them off.”

She didn’t doubt him with the determined look he gave her as they stared at each other. “Fine.”

She rolled away and reached the door. It might be smarter for her to just leave until he was off the drug but she twisted the lock instead and turned to face the man she loved. Her hands trembled a little as she removed her clothes. Tiger watched her with rapt concentration. He didn’t look aroused—he looked enraged as he got his first look at the bruises.

“Turn around.”

She was naked and cold in the room but did as he asked. A growl came from him that caused her to peer at him over her shoulder. “I told you it’s just some bruises.”

“Go shower. The bathroom is right there. Hurry and return to me.”

She wanted a shower, probably needed one as well, so nodded. Right then didn’t seem the time to argue with him about anything. She just headed for the bathroom.

“Zandy?”

She paused and glanced back at him.

“Thank you.”

“You know you’re being pushy, right?”

“I almost watched you die. I’m behaving extremely well. We are both lucky my leg is broken.”

“What does that mean?”

His gaze lowered down her body. “Go shower now. My nose is still messed up from the smoke and gasoline I inhaled. I don’t want to scent something on you when it recovers that might bring out my savage instincts. I’m barely holding on to my control. I know I’m being an asshole but do it.”

She tried to close the door but he snarled. She paused. He didn’t say anything but she got the message loud and clear. Her fingers released the doorknob and she left it open. The shower was a large one that could accommodate a wheelchair if need be. Soap and hair products were inside on a shelf when she turned on the water.

* * * * *

Tiger had to fight the urge to throw away the ice packs on his leg and go to Zandy. He’d crawl if he had to. He took deep breaths, battled his instincts, and ordered his mind to rule his body. He’d nearly lost Zandy and he wasn’t over it by a long shot.

The memory of the fire and seeing her suspended by ropes on a wooden cross constructed by those crazy humans would be the source of many nightmares in his future. He’d reached her in time but he could have failed. She could have died and him with her. No way would he have stopped trying to reach her even if he’d known with certainty he had no chance.

She was his mate. His eyes closed as his heart hammered and his fingers curled into fists. He might not have meant to ever take one but he had her. Zandy Gordon had unexpectedly come into his life and blindsided him. He missed her scent. He was hopelessly addicted to it and couldn’t wait for his senses to recover just to breathe her in. His lips still tingled from their kiss and he wished he could taste her. A frustrated growl rumbled from him. Dr. Harris had said to give it an hour before the effects of the burning motor home left his system.

The drug he’d been injected with didn’t help. His skin felt hot and tight all over his body, his heart rate wouldn’t slow to normal and it brought his emotions closer to the surface with the adrenaline pumping through his body. His eyes opened and he glared at his leg. It was stopping him from being with Zandy at that moment. He’d like nothing better than to shower with her and hold her in his arms.

The water in the other room turned off and he watched as she dried her body. The bruises on her waist, legs, and across her rib cage drove him into a frenzy to track down the rest of the humans who’d harmed her. Two were dead but there were more of them. The team that had gone to Zandy’s house had scented at least four males. A silent promise was made to himself to track the remaining two humans down and kill them as soon as he was back on his feet.

She stepped back into the room wearing a towel wrapped around her body and she paused there. “I don’t have any clean clothes.”

“You don’t need them. Come here.”

He just wanted her at his side, in his arms. He refused to let her out of his sight now that he had her back. Go slow, he reminded himself. Don’t frighten her away. His fingers uncurled and he patted the bed next to him.

“I’ll get you wet.”

“Come here.” He inwardly winced at his rough tone. “Please,” he added.

She slowly crept closer, an unsure look on her face.

“I won’t hurt you, Zandy. Never.”

“I know that. You’re just acting really different.”

“I’m aware of the drugs in my system and I’m stressed. It’s a bad combination but you are safe.”

She crawled on the bed and settled down next to him. He reached out and pulled her closer, her wet hair causing water drips to slide down his chest. He didn’t care as he hugged her to his side and rested his chin on the top of her head.

“Tiger?”

“Yes?”

She lifted her chin to stare up at him. “I’m okay. Honestly. I’m more worried about you. Are you in pain? Should I get the doctor?”

“I just need to hold you.”

“Okay.” Her hand flattened on his chest and stroked him gently. “How is your head feeling? They said you had a head injury at the hospital.”