He fisted the shirt in his hands and lifted it to his nose. One deep inhalation of Alli’s scent triggered memories of her against his side while she’d slept. Her hand on his chest had been nice when she’d stroked him. His eyes closed and he remembered seeing her on the ground with males standing over her.
She’d been smaller than he imagined and had a mass of blonde hair. Most of his focus had been on protecting her but then she’d lifted her head. The memory was fuzzy but he was sure she had big blue eyes and pale skin.
One more deep breath helped clear up the confusion of waking to her screams. He’d known deep in his gut that it was her in danger. The terrified sounds made him want to reach her. It was a blur how he’d gotten outside and what he’d had to go through to do it. He’d just sought her.
A clearer picture of her face emerged in his mind. She had full lips, delicate features, and she’d definitely been human. The rounded bridge of her nose and her diminutive size had assured him of that. His mate had been much bigger with flatter facial bone structure similar to his own. The shirt fisted in his hand lowered to rest over his lap while he opened his eyes. A growl rumbled from him.
Alli had taken him from his people because she’d wanted to save him. The females admitted they’d given up hope of him waking. It angered him that he owed his life to a human. Her scent lingered as he breathed but he made a decision to do as the females had asked.
His legs held his weight easily when he stood. He shoved the shirt under his pillow and strode to the door. The two males who watched him were never far away. He sniffed the hallway and easily located their scents. They were three doors down sitting at a table, watching television. Both males turned his way when he stepped inside the room, which was much like his own.
“Do you need something?” Destiny stood. “Would you enjoy taking another walk outside?”
“I want the female,” he demanded.
The other Species paled slightly. “What female?”
“Alli.” Saying her name felt strange.
“No.” Anger tightened Destiny’s features. “She isn’t your enemy.”
“Destiny,” the other one hissed. “He doesn’t appear angry.” The second one stood too. “Why do you wish to see Dr. Allison?”
“No, Field,” Destiny grumbled. “It doesn’t matter. She isn’t going anywhere near him. I’m not allowing her down here.”
“I want her.” 880 studied the protesting male closely and noticed the way his body tensed, ready to fight. He knew the behavior well and had taken the rigid stance himself many times with human males when they had neared his mate. Rage rose steadily inside him and burst forth. He snarled. “She isn’t yours.”
“Shit,” Field hissed. “Calm down. Dr. Allison belongs to no one.”
“I want her.” 880 curled back his upper lip enough to warn the other males by flashing his sharp canines, leaving no doubt he would fight if they refused. “Bring her to me.”
“Easy.” Field inched closer to the door. “Let me place a call and I’ll see what I can do.” He hesitated. “Why do you want to see her? They will want an answer before they allow it. I have to get permission from Justice to have her brought here.”
He easily remembered what Breeze had said since he wouldn’t forget their conversation any time soon. He decided to use an excuse she’d mentioned. “I am feeling depressed,” he stated falsely. “I adjusted to her scent and miss it.”
Field grinned and glanced at the other male. “It’s okay. She is familiar to him. That is all.”
Destiny didn’t seem convinced. “She is not to share sex with. Do you understand? Do not attempt to mount her. She’s human and off-limits.”
880 had to hold back another snarl. The male was very protective of the human female. He inched closer to the stressed male and sniffed. No trace of Alli lingered on him and he backed away. He didn’t like the other male’s interest in the female who had slept at his side. He spun away and stalked back to his room.
Chapter Six
Alli was nervous as she watched Destiny glare at her. He was really upset that 880 wanted to see her, that fact was as clear as the angry expression on his face.
“Keep the door open and flee if he gets too close. He isn’t permitted to touch you.” He glanced at Tiger. “I don’t trust him. He could attempt to mount her.”
Her eyes widened. “What?”
“He said he didn’t want that.” Tiger frowned. “Chill out, my man.”
“I won’t.” Destiny growled. “He’s unstable and we’re sending her in there. I insist on staying at her side. She’s human and there is no certainty that he won’t see her as a threat or an enemy.”
Tiger’s gaze drifted to Alli. “It’s your call. Your life may be in danger. He could harm or kill you. Are you willing to take those risks?”
“Yes,” she answered, too eager to see her patient to really give it much thought.
“No,” Destiny growled.
She frowned at him. “Stop it.”
He flashed sharp teeth in warning. “Fine. I hope he doesn’t kill you. I will try to save you if this goes bad.”
That isn’t very comforting to hear. She licked her lips and stared at Tiger, waiting for instructions. He’d made it very apparent that he was in charge of her visit to 880 and he had only given her permission to leave her house if she complied with all his rules.
They’d argued when she’d been informed that 880 had requested to see her. Tiger had felt it would be dangerous considering she might be perceived as the enemy. She’d had to use logic to convince him that it would benefit her patient to be around humans. He was free and needed to adjust to life outside Mercile. Justice had the final say and he’d agreed to it.
Tiger hesitated. “This might not be a good idea.”
“Justice said I could see 880,” she reminded him. “I want to see him.”
“What Justice said is he doesn’t know what to do with you but he wants our male to recover. He’s as unsure of this situation as all of us are.”
“I want to see 880. Please? I know it could be dangerous.” She held Tiger’s gaze to assure him she was sincere. “I know the risks and I accept them.”
He sighed, resigned, but didn’t appear too happy about it. “Stay by the door and call out for help at the first instance of trouble. He wants to speak to you alone. I argued with him but he tore out the camera inside his room and threw it at my head. I believe he is trying to understand why a human would do what you have for him. The only ones he knew worked for Mercile and they weren’t kind.” Tiger paused. “They murdered his mate. Remember that because he won’t have forgotten. I still can’t believe I’m allowing this.”
“I understand why he might dislike me and you’re doing this because you want him to get better. He’s New Species. Let’s just skip rehashing this argument, please. All of you were exposed to doctors when you were rescued. It was part of the healing process. You admitted that he’s aware of what I did for him. Deep down he has to know I’m not someone he should hate. He was helpless in my care yet I didn’t do anything bad to him. He’s intelligent, right? You said that not twenty minutes ago when you gave me the update on him. He’s not feral.”
Tiger studied her for a long moment before he nodded curtly. “Go ahead. We’ll be right here. He’ll hear and smell us coming. We need to stay back this far but we will come if you call out.”
“Thanks.” Her heart hammered fast as she smoothed down her skirt in a nervous gesture.
Destiny grumbled. “She should wear pants. I said this. It will only make it easier for him if he attempts to mount her.”
Tiger softly growled in warning. “Enough. It wouldn’t matter if she wore pants or a skirt if he intends to attack. He would tear both from her body if that is his objective.”
“Um…” Alli cleared her throat. “I’m right here. Could you stop trying to scare the living crap out of me?”
“Don’t do this.” Destiny gave her a pleading look. “
“I need to talk to him if he wants to see me. I owe him answers.” She straightened her shoulders and marched down the hallway. They had returned 880 to his original room and she paused by the open doorway.
“Come here,” a deep baritone voice ordered.
Shit! She took that final step and her gaze found 880 sitting on the edge of a queen-size bed that appeared to be custom-made to fit his tall frame. They’d removed the hospital bed for something more homey. His hair fell freely down over his shoulders in the front to the waist of his black sweats. His chest was bare and so were his feet. His amazing stare held hers as she braved entering his room by a few feet.
“Hello, 880. I’m Alli.” She paused. “Dr. Allison Baker. You can call me whichever one you prefer.”
He sniffed. “Come closer.” His hands rested on his lower thighs near the bend of his knees but one lifted to point a finger at the floor between his spread thighs. “Here.”
“I’m supposed to stay by the door.”
“I heard.” His intense gaze narrowed. “Come here.” He kept his finger trained on the spot in front of him, not budging it. “I won’t harm you.”
It was a really bad idea, foolish even, but she took one step, then another. His face had filled out in the past few days and her gaze lowered to his torso. Each rib no longer showed through his skin since he’d put on more weight than she thought anyone possibly could in such a short amount of time. She only stopped when her body almost bumped his extended index finger.
He lowered his hand to his thigh again and she inched closer until their faces were level. Only a foot separated them. It didn’t matter that he was seated. 880 still looked intimidating and large.
He studied her face while she did the same to his. There was an unsettling quiet in the room, only their breathing could be heard. Her teeth dented her lower lip from nerves when his gaze focused on her mouth. He sniffed at her again and it made his nose wrinkle. She stared into his brown eyes until he met her gaze.
“Why?”
“Why did I come? You asked to see me.”
His mouth hardened into a tight line. “Why did you steal me to take risks others wouldn’t?”
“You were dying. You wouldn’t rouse from the coma.” She took a deep breath and tried to force her heart rate to slow. He hadn’t attacked and that was a plus. “I thought a woman’s scent might interest you.”
The lighter brown color of his eyes seemed to bleed black and they narrowed again. “Interest me how? Did you want me to mount you?”
Surprise jolted through her at his question. “No. I mean, I thought you’d be curious and maybe wake to see who she was. Who I was.”
“Don’t move.”
He moved and her heartbeat increased with fear as he gently took her hand. She didn’t pull it away as he turned it to stare at her palm. His other hand lifted and calloused fingertips trailed over her skin. He studied her closely, opened his hand under hers, and seemed to note their size difference. He met her gaze again.
“I felt you touching me.”
Her cheeks grew warm. “I had to check your catheter. I’m really sorry about that.”
“On my chest.”
“Oh.” She could breathe easier again.
His fingers curled around her wrist and he drew her fingers to his chest to place the tips of them flat between his nipples. “Do it again. Stroke me.”
Alli was at a loss for what to do for a few seconds while he waited. His skin was hot and firm under her palm as she carefully moved it. It was difficult to do with him holding her wrist but she rubbed him gently. His eyes closed and all the tension faded from his features.
A sense of amazement filled her that her touch seemed to make him feel at ease. She silently wondered if it was a sign of some brain issues. He released her wrist and his hands dropped. She tried to pull away.
“Keep doing that.”
It was an order, plain and simple. His stern voice brooked no argument. She took slow breaths and continued to caress his skin. His eyes snapped open a split second before he moved so fast she gasped when his hand curled behind her neck. He jerked her against his body until she was pressed tight against him. She feared he might kill her by smothering her against his skin.
She gasped in air and realized that he held her loosely enough to allow her to breathe. He smelled of soap and man. She could even detect his shampoo since her nose was pressed against skin and long hair. His other arm wrapped around her back at the waist to trap her in place as his mouth found her ear.
“Don’t scream or I’ll break you. It would be easy to do. You’re frail. They won’t reach you in time. Do you understand me?”
Panic struck hard at the very soft threat he rasped, sure she was the only one who could hear him. A whimper left her mouth but she didn’t scream.
He just held her and she felt caged when his thighs closed to grip her hips to help hold her in place. He wasn’t hurting her but he could. That was apparent.
His nose brushed her throat under her ear as he inhaled, turning his head enough to sniff at her hair. He pulled her a little tighter against him with his arm anchored around her back. Her breasts were crushed against his chest and the hand behind her neck remained firm, to hold her in place.
“I am no longer helpless or chained. Your males killed my mate.”
Hot tears filled her eyes while she feared he’d take his revenge on her. Destiny had been right and it sucked big-time.
“Please,” she whispered. “I had nothing to do with that.”
He softly growled and his nose tickled when he pressed it against her throat as he sniffed at her again. His body jerked suddenly before he pulled away. He allowed some space between them when his hold eased on the back of her neck and she ended up nose to nose with him as he peered into her eyes. Shock widened his.
“You cry? I am not causing you pain.”
“You’re scaring me,” she admitted. “I don’t want to die.”
His mouth curved downward. “Don’t scream and you will be fine. No tears. I don’t like them on my skin.”
Her lips sealed together while she battled her emotions until she managed to get them under control. She blinked rapidly to hold back more tears. He still kept hold of her and every breath he took fanned her lips. She knew he had to feel the same from her since they were so close.
His head tilted slightly as if he heard something and a soft growl rumbled from him. “Tell them you are fine.”
She pulled in air, debated doing what he said or if she should scream for help. He wasn’t hurting her so far. “I’m fine.” She spoke loud enough that she knew it would be heard down the hallway.
880 listened and relaxed. “What claim does the male Destiny have on you?” He appeared angry.
“None.”
“Have you been mounted by him? I don’t smell him on you.”
“No.” She shook her head. “We’re just friends.”
“Lower your voice,” he demanded.
“We work together.” She whispered. “Why?”
He ignored her question. “Where is your male?”
“I don’t have one.”
He studied her eyes again. He glanced down her body. Alli blushed a little when he hesitated, his gaze lingering over her breasts for a long time before focusing on her skirt.
“You are too small. Males enjoy a sturdy female to mount. You’d break or feel pain being pounded from behind. I doubt you could even brace to stay on your knees. Your arms look too weak. You’d collapse the first time a male entered you.”
She had no words. It astonished her so much her mind even blanked that he’d said something that crude.
His gaze met hers. “You don’t even look big enough to accommodate a male.”
She was glad she had recovered from the astonishment of his bluntness. “I wasn’t created with your hybrid genetics.”
He grunted and his hold eased but he didn’t release her. His thighs loosened their hold on her hips. “Turn around.”
She shook her head. “No. Why?”
He growled. “Turn now.”
She was too afraid to argue and shifted inside his arms. The open door mocked her when she faced it. She never should have left the safety of the hallway. It seemed a really far distance away. The hand left her throat and she gasped when it cupped one of her ass cheeks. He squeezed, feeling her through the skirt. Her head snapped in his direction.
“Don’t do that!”
His gaze met hers and he growled. “Be silent.”
“Let go of my ass.” She kept her voice low but did try to step away from him to make him quit groping her.
The arm around her middle jerked hard, he let go of her ass, and she landed on his lap. His palm clamped over her lips and he growled against her ear. Alli’s eyes widened as she realized she was sitting on more than just his legs. There was no denying the feel of his rigid cock cradled between her closed thighs.
“Don’t scream,” he ordered. “I am not going to hurt you. I am curious.” His palm eased the pressure over her lower face and slowly released her mouth.
Her gaze followed his hand that fisted the material of her skirt and pulled it up to reveal most of one of her legs. The skirt stayed where he shoved it and rough-textured fingertips explored her outer leg from the knee almost to her hip. He was breathing against her ear and she noticed when it grew a little labored.
“Soft.”
The arm around her waist adjusted and she watched as he ran his palm over her stomach. Fingers dug into her belly but it didn’t hurt. He explored the skin under her shirt and slid it higher. She gasped a second time as one hand curved around her breast and he rubbed, feeling the size and shape of it through her bra.
“Softer.”
“Stop molesting me or I’m going to scream,” she threatened.
He paused his exploration of her breast. The hand on her thigh halted too. She turned her head to meet his gaze. Anger flashed in his eyes but he righted her skirt before he eased his hand off her breast.
“I won’t attempt to mount you. You aren’t strong enough to take me.”
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