Текст книги "Shadow"
Автор книги: Laurann Dohner
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Текущая страница: 5 (всего у книги 17 страниц)
“Seduction?”
His eyebrows rose in surprise. “Yes.”
“I told you, I read.” She hugged her chest. “I wasn’t aware felines or canines did that when they were interested in a woman. Usually they try to impress one by other means instead of carrying her off.”
“It’s the human in us.” He took a step closer but paused. “That’s the part that makes us go after and take something if we want it badly enough. You’re a temptation to a lonely male.” His gaze lowered. “You are attractive. Small. You couldn’t fight back well and they’d be eager to protect you.”
“Protect or seduce?”
“Both.”
“What about your instincts? What do you think when you look at me?”
He cleared his throat and turned away. “Are you hungry? I could fix us sandwiches.”
“Shadow?”
He opened the fridge. “They really stocked it well. There is enough lunchmeat here to feed an army.” He closed it and jerked open the freezer side. “It’s mostly full of meat. I’ll thaw some steaks for dinner. I’m a good cook. Do you enjoy your meat fully cooked or just seared?”
“Fully cooked. You’re not going to answer my question, are you?”
“No. I am not. I’m here to protect you.”
“No, you aren’t going to answer that question about your instincts or you aren’t going to be tempted to seduce me?” She was stunned that she’d spoken her thoughts but didn’t regret it. She wanted to know where he stood on the issue.
Shadow smothered a growl. The female should be timid but she acted as if she were a female officer with her blunt questions. They made him feel uncomfortable, though he admired her courage. He slammed the freezer closed and cut his gaze her way as he placed the frozen meat on the counter.
The expression on her face sliced his heart a little. She appeared fragile and a little frightened. “You are safe with me. My instincts are in check.”
She squeezed her chest a little tighter—he didn’t miss that fact or anything else about her. Her breathing quickened and her eyes were wider. She appeared ready to bolt and he tried to seem less threatening as he took a step back.
“I know you wouldn’t do anything harmful to me.”
“Your body language implies otherwise.”
“I’m not used to speaking to men. I’m just nervous.”
“There’s no need.” An idea came to him and he sank to his knees. It made them almost eye level. “I give you my word of honor that I’d never do anything to purposely frighten you or cause you alarm. Relax. I hate seeing your defensive stance.”
She glanced down her body and dropped her arms to her sides. Her gaze lifted to meet his. “I do that when I’m unsure of a situation. I’ve always been alone and only had myself to hold when I don’t know how to handle something. Why are you on your knees?”
“To show you that we are on the same level. I don’t want my size to frighten you.”
“I’m actually comforted by it.” Her tongue darted out to wet her lips. “You make me feel safe. You could handle anyone who might seek me out, right?”
He hated the way his chest tightened a little over figuring out the root of her fear. “I’d battle any male who came after you to the death. No one would get past me. I am not good at tracking from lack of opportunity but I do know how to fight. That is one skill you can depend on.”
She took a hesitant step closer and then another until she paused in front of him. He could have reached out to touch her and was tempted to do just that. He resisted. Her eyes were softer now and all the tension had faded away.
“What else would you do for me?”
“What do you want?” His heart hammered and he hated where his thoughts traveled. Breeze was sure the Gift Female wanted to share sex. His dick reacted by filling with blood as he waited for her answer.
The idea of touching her made him feel a mixture of fear and eagerness. He couldn’t deny wanting Beauty. She scented of something sweet and feminine but not of arousal. No fear lingered in the air and he took her word. Gratitude flooded him that she had that much confidence in him. It was a slight miracle in itself after what had been done to her during her captivity. He just wished he trusted himself as much.
Images flashed through his mind of the ordeal he’d suffered. Beauty’s features weren’t fully Species. Her perky nose and rounded eyes left no doubt that she wasn’t canine or feline. The facial anomalies were much slighter than most Species. Her small body was very human. Fragile. Delicate. Easily bruised. A cold sweat broke out on his upper lip and forehead while he battled the urge to reach for her. He wasn’t sure if he wanted to just hold her to assure her she was safe or if he wanted to do more.
Her lips beckoned. He knew what kissing was and wanted to experience it. The task force males had given him graphic details about how to do it once they’d learned he’d never shared that with a female. The few females who had been brought to him to share sex at Mercile hadn’t been with him long enough to want to want that intimacy. “Could you forget that I’m Gift and treat me as though I were just a person?” Longing flashed in her gaze when he forced his focus higher. “That’s what I want from you.”
Her hand shook when it lifted and every muscle tightened as it drew closer to his cheek. It hovered so close he could feel the heat of her but she didn’t touch him. It dropped away.
“I can do that,” he got out.
“Stop being so concerned that you’re terrifying me because you don’t.” She stepped away.
He watched her as she stared out the window. Shadow reached down to tuck his dick farther down his thigh to hide its condition before she noticed and rose to his feet. “I could do that.”
“Good.” She smiled when she peered at him over her shoulder. “Let’s eat and then go see this river. I bet it’s pretty.”
“We can do that later. We have plenty of time. I’d like to get us settled first and check out the area before I take you for a walk.” He fought to keep his voice level. He wanted to growl in frustration that she hadn’t asked him to carry her to bed to strip her naked and share sex.
Don’t go there, he ordered. I could harm her with my lack of experience. They should have sent someone else. I’m not the right male to be near her. Self-disgust flashed through him over the arousal he suffered, knowing it was wrong. “I am going to go out back and carry in firewood first. We’ll have a fire tonight. Would you enjoy that?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll be right back.” He darted out the door, closing it behind him, and leaned against it. He had to adjust his dick again and ground his teeth in frustration. He hadn’t made it half an hour without wishing to strip her bare.
“Shit.” He took a deep breath and pushed away from the cabin. He’d be carrying wood all right. His hand slid down to adjust his stiff shaft to a more comfortable walking position. “Get control,” he muttered to himself.
Beauty grinned and hugged her chest. Her gaze returned to the window, surprisingly reflective of the kitchen behind her. She hadn’t missed it when Shadow’s hand had gone to the front of his pants before he’d risen to his feet. There was only reason he’d grab that area. He was interested in physical interaction as well but tried to hide it.
Now she just had to figure out how to get him to initiate the sex. Her mind skimmed through everything she’d learned while watching movies and reading romance novels. That knowledge seemed sadly lacking when faced with a flesh-and-blood man, giving her the opportunity to experience good sex firsthand—the teasing, laughter, closeness and soft touches. The joy.
Breeze’s suggestion was tempting but she didn’t want to risk rejection. It was too brazen for her. She’d have to lure him into suggesting it first. She leaned closer to the window and rose on tiptoe to watch him leave the porch. Her attention locked on his beefy ass encased in tight pants.
She longed to feel it just to see if it was as firm as it looked. The memory of his chest lingered. He had so many muscles she wanted to explore by surfing her hands over each one. It was also unforgettable, waking to discover the state of his body when she’d identified what was nestled between her thighs after the night they’d spent together.
Sex still frightened her a little but she knew deep down that it would be different with Shadow. She’d heard men visit her neighbors often enough that she had no doubt that it would be pleasurable. She felt strange when she looked at Shadow. Her heart always quickened and odd things happened to her belly. Little tingling sensations erupted there at that moment just thinking about it. Of course she wouldn’t ask him to leave right after he made those sexy sounds she’d overheard through the walls of her apartment. She’d definitely want his scent on her and her bedding. He smelled wonderful to her.
Scenarios began to play in her thoughts. She could ask him to cuddle with her on the couch to watch the television mounted over the fireplace later when he lit the fire. She wanted to experience that sensation. He might take that for a green light to do more. They could watch a romantic movie. The women in the dorm always loved them. She tossed that idea after considering that men probably didn’t enjoy those.
She dropped flat to her feet and paced, deep in thought. It was unlikely that watching guy movies about blowing things up and shooting guns would put him in the mood to offer to share sex. She sighed. It was frustrating wanting something but being unsure of how to accomplish it.
The last romance book she’d read flashed through her mind and she paused. It had worked for the heroine of the book. The man had not only come to her bed but it had initiated their sexual relationship. A plan began to form. Excitement made her laugh.
Chapter Six
It is all going wrong! Beauty blinked back tears of frustration at her lack of success in luring Shadow into carrying her to bed. She’d purposely tripped and fallen against his chest while he’d been preparing their meal in the kitchen. She’d offered to help just to gain the opportunity to set that circumstance in motion. He should have looked down at her, their gazes fused, and then planted a kiss on her. Instead he’d righted her immediately and apologized for being in her way.
Their romantic dinner had turned out to be a bust. He’d avoided looking at her the entire time they’d been seated next to each other at the bar. He’d pulled out a gun magazine, stating it was research. The only conversation they’d shared had been about new security measures the NSO was taking. He’d explained details about their latest monitoring equipment.
Every time she’d tried to steer the topic to romance, Shadow had become flustered. His cheeks had darkened in hue and it had been kind of cute how he’d stuttered his words. Apparently, he wasn’t comfortable discussing anything personal. Dinner had ended and she’d known they’d relax in the living room together afterward.
It made Beauty feel inept as a woman. That ability to naturally flirt with men seemed utterly lacking in her case. Self-pity wasn’t her style though, regarding her lack of even a semblance of a normal life up until she’d been freed. She’d just have to try harder to figure out how to pique his interest in having sex.
The fire in the hearth was lit but instead of sitting next to her on the couch where she’d left him plenty of space, he sat in a chair across the room.
“You can sit next to me,” she hinted, imagining leaning against him and curling up to his side.
“I’m fine here.” He yawned. “I am tired and I don’t want to fall asleep. The couch is too cushioned for me.”
The flames held her stare but not her attention. That was on the man to her left. From the corner of her eye, she saw him cross his ankles. The chunky boots he wore looked uncomfortable. It gave her an idea as she shifted her body to watch him.
“Do you want me to remove your boots? I could do that for you.” She’d seen a movie where the wife had done that for her husband when he’d come home from work. He’d kissed her afterward in thanks. “It would be no trouble.”
“I am capable of removing them myself. I will take them off before I go to bed.” He scowled. “I’m not a weak male.”
“I didn’t say you were. I just wanted to be nice.”
“You are.” His head leaned back and he stared at the ceiling.
She followed his gaze, seeing nothing interesting in the wood beams. He seemed fascinated though. The wind outside buffeted the side of the cabin and rattled the windows. Shadow responded by leaping to his feet, instantly alert.
“Stay put. I’m going outside to patrol.”
“It’s nothing.” She didn’t want him to leave.
He paused by the door, finally meeting her gaze. “It’s late. We should prepare for sleep when I return. Go ahead and go to your room. I’ll be back soon and put out the fire.”
She started to tell him it was too early—just after eight—but he was gone before she could speak. The closing door and a lot of disappointment was all she was left with. She’d have received an F if she’d been graded on her make-a-man-want-her skills.
“Damn it,” she muttered, knowing she was reverting to the human talk, though she kept trying to break that habit. “Shit. Fuck. Screw this,” she kept going, pacing. Species were hard to deal with. Human guys had always asked her to be nice to them. The guards had always been interested in her but Shadow seemed immune. It confused and confounded her.
She went upstairs to get the phone from her bag. She called Breeze. The Species answered on the first ring.
“Is everything okay?”
“No.”
“Did he do something wrong?” A growl resonated over the line. “I’ll beat him.”
“I fell against him but he just put me back on my feet. I invited him to sit next to me but he chose a seat all the way across the room. Why isn’t it working? I don’t think he wants me. I was sure those tactics would provoke a response.”
The pause was a long one. “You what?”
“I fell against him, believing he’d be tempted to kiss me but he didn’t.”
“I told you what to do. Remove your clothing and tell him to share sex with you.”
“I’m not that bold.” Beauty cocked her head, listening for the door downstairs to make certain he didn’t return to overhear her conversation. “I don’t think he returns my interest.”
“He’s male and breathing.” Breeze chuckled. “He’s just clueless about exactly what you want from him. You need to be more aggressive.”
“I’m not you.” She hated the way it made her feel to admit that, as if she lacked something essential but she couldn’t deny being a bit shy. “I freeze up when I even consider something that forward and what if he rejects me? I’d be mortified. I couldn’t face him and we’re sharing a home.”
“Do you want me to call him and tell him for you? I would totally do that. I have the number for his cell phone.”
“No! I just wanted advice.”
“I gave you that. Strip. Tell him to remove his clothes. That’s all it’s going to take, Beauty. He won’t reject you. He has no female in his life.”
“Couldn’t you just tell me how to get him interested without me showing him my body first?”
“You could tell him you wish to share sex. That will clear up any confusion.”
“I’m searching for a milder approach.”
“Is this what you learned from humans? It’s amazing they ever share sex.” Breeze was silent for a moment. “I’m not an expert on this. I attempted to initiate sex with a human and he didn’t respond as expected. How about if we pull Shadow and replace him with a task force member? Maybe a human male would be more suited to you.”
The concept of allowing anyone but Shadow to touch her killed any desire she had to find out what happened between two consenting people during sex. “No. I want him.”
“Are you sure? I could make a few calls.”
“I want Shadow.”
“He’s the only male you’ve spent time with. You might like another one. I could send a few of them there. We’d have to move you to the hotel though. No way would Valiant handle the residents of Wild Zone if they sniffed humans. I could—”
“Forget I asked. I’ll figure this out on my own. Don’t send anyone else.”
“Fine. Call me any time.”
“Thank you.”
Beauty ended the call and stashed the phone. She strained to hear the door as she quickly stripped out of her clothes and put on a nightgown. A slight noise below assured her of his return. Her gaze fixed on the open doorway in anticipation of watching him walk up the stairs. It wasn’t a long wait.
He paused by her doorway and glanced down her body. She knew the pale-blue sleepshirt wasn’t sexy. She didn’t own anything that could be considered that by anyone’s standards but it did have a low neckline. The NSO paid for everything she owned and they’d purchased it all online. In this case it was an oversized sleepshirt that fell to her knees, three times too big, and the arms of it were long enough to reach her elbows.
“Good night. I’ll be right next door.” He looked away. “Do you want this closed?”
“No. I’d prefer the door open.”
“You can sleep at ease. Nothing will get inside without me hearing it.” He turned, ready to step away.
“Shadow?”
He paused, turned his head and stared at her. “Yes?”
Nerves made her feel a little nauseous. It was on the tip of her tongue to ask him to share her room. Her heart rate increased and a lump seemed to form in the center of her throat, blocking her from speaking.
“Good night, Beauty.”
He was gone. She didn’t hear his bedroom door close and wondered if he’d left his open as well. Her shoulders slumped over losing her chance to invite him to sleep in her bed. Light came on under the door to the bathroom they shared, letting her know he was in there. Moments later water came on.
She sat on the bed staring at the tiny crack along the bottom of the bathroom door. The shower door creaked. The memory of his mostly naked body concealed only by the flag surfaced. Shadow had a great body, all muscled and beefy. His hair wouldn’t take long to wash since it was so short.
The layout of the bathroom replayed in her mind and she focused on the part where he’d be standing under the spray of water. The urge to go join him was strong. Breeze or Rusty would just saunter in there, strip, and step into the stall with him. They’d have the courage to lay hands on his skin and tell him to do whatever they wanted.
Beauty sat still. She was living alone with a man she wanted but couldn’t talk herself into acting bold. It made her feel like a big coward. The water shut off, he opened the shower door and she got to imagine him using a towel to dry off. The light clicked off and silence reigned inside the cabin.
Shadow stretched out on the bed and stared at the ceiling. He’d chosen to sleep in one of the pairs of boxers his human friends from the task force had given him, as opposed to being naked. He hated wearing any clothing when he slept but the open doorway to the hall was lit from Beauty’s room. She hadn’t turned off her light. It left him wondering what she was doing in there.
It was very quiet in the cabin, no sounds of life besides the wind buffeting the structure occasionally. The dorm he’d recently moved into always held a little noise. Occasional males speaking in the hallways or doors closing somewhere. One of his neighbors enjoyed video games a little loud. It had been welcome after the imposing silence of living in the basement at the task force headquarters. He missed Wrath and wished he could call him.
His best friend and his mate had just moved into a house at Homeland. They needed time to settle in and he didn’t want to bother them. It wasn’t late so he needn’t worry that he’d disturb their sleep but he knew they’d been looking forward to spending time alone. Privacy wasn’t something they’d had much of in their previous quarters.
He turned on his side, staring at the hallway. He should be back at Homeland acquainting himself with his new duties. Living amongst so many Species had been pleasant. They welcomed him with open arms and he’d started to make more friends. Then Beauty had decided to run in the rain.
He couldn’t regret meeting her but resented the way he’d been manipulated into becoming a test subject. He’d sworn to never allow that to happen again. The fact that it might involve anything sexual really put him in a foul mood. No one had considered his feelings. He didn’t want any part of being someone’s guinea pig.
That’s what I am, he admitted silently. He’d spent many hours familiarizing himself with New Species and their accomplishments during the almost half a year living with the task force. They’d given him access to all the information on his people that he wanted. Gift Females were one of the topics he’d read about. It was deemed that any sexual contact with a male would damage to their already frail emotional states. They’d been created weaker on purpose, to make them easier to control and less likely to fight back.
A fine sheen of sweat broke out over his body although he’d just taken a cool shower. The idea of touching Beauty made him hot. The knowledge that a hundred things could go wrong if she initiated sex didn’t cool his blood in the slightest but it did fuel his fears of sharing sex. He could go at her too aggressively because he’d denied his cravings to touch a female.
His dick began to harden just thinking about her under him. The memory of her in that wet nightgown plastered against her skin, which had hidden nothing from him, had been the most enticing thing he’d ever seen. He reached down, fisting his dick through his shorts and adjusted it to a more comfortable position. He paused before releasing it, tempted to tend to the desire to get off. He’d become an expert at masturbation to fulfill his sexual needs.
Do it, he urged. It would curb some of his longing to walk into the next room to seek her company. His fingers stroked and his eyes closed. The feel of cotton rubbing against the head of his cock was a little irritating but still was good. It hardened even more and his balls started to ache.
He pictured Beauty in his mind, her big dark eyes staring at him with trust and he bit back a snarl as he let go of his dick to fist his pillow instead. He’d terrify her if she saw him bare. Worse, patience wasn’t his strongest trait. He could take her too fast or too roughly. Knowing that still didn’t dull his hunger for her. The ability to face his fears seemed to lesson somewhat in comparison to the hot desire burning through his body.
Guilty, he admitted. He lusted after the delicate female. She’d slept on his chest and he’d held her. Protective instincts were a part of his genetics but he’d felt something much more personal when they’d woken to hear someone approaching the shed. He’d wanted to kill anyone who posed a threat to his Beauty. The half-asleep state of his mind might have accounted for the feelings of possessiveness that had gripped him but he wasn’t about to lie to himself. That hadn’t been the reason or the cause. She’d given him her trust and he’d wanted to keep her at his side.
That’s how you ended up here, he chided. Brass had reminded him that another male might harm her unintentionally and he’d have done anything to prevent that. Even if it meant lying on his side with a hard dick, sweating out his frustration, staring at the light in the hallway while he contemplated what she was doing in the next room.
The light under the bathroom door suddenly came on and he strained to hear to her every movement. A smile curved his lips when the sink faucet came on and moments later the toilet flushed. She was shy even about someone knowing when she tended to her needs. That amusement faded. She’d purposely camouflaged going to the bathroom so what would she do if she were naked under a male who was intent on getting much more personally acquainted with her body?
The faucet turned off and the light faded as she left the other room to return to hers. The hallway dimmed as well but she didn’t close her door. He’d have heard it if she had. He breathed through his mouth and tried to relax. Tomorrow would be a long day but he’d exercise restraint. It wouldn’t be easy. He was already at his limit and they’d only had hours together. I’ve signed up for a new torture, wanting what I can’t have.
* * * * *
Beauty gave up on sleep. A good hour must have passed and her restlessness only grew worse. She pushed back the covers and rose, sliding out of bed. She tiptoed across the floor and out of her room where she paused. Her hearing wasn’t as good as most Species but it was better than regular people. The sound of slow, steady breathing assured her she hadn’t woken Shadow.
The stairs didn’t creak as she crept down them and headed toward the back door. The area would be safe and she just wanted to get a little fresh air. The door was easy to unlock by feel and a warm wind blasted her the second she got it open. It was pleasant on her skin as she stepped out onto the porch. The door closed quietly behind her.
It was a small space with a little roof but she didn’t stay there. The three steps took her to a grassy area that was soft under her toes. The river noise was faint, calling to her sense of curiosity.
It wasn’t hard to make out the dim shapes of trees as she followed the sound of moving water. The tree density thinned and suddenly she stood on a dirt embankment staring out over the blackness with just a few glints of moonlight reflected. She smiled, proud to have found it by herself. One glance around and she found a nice fallen log to sit on.
A howl startled her. Her heart raced as she stood, instantly fearful. It was really close and she turned, studying the darkness carefully. Something moved to her left, a twig snapped and a low growl rumbled.
“Shadow?” She whispered his name, afraid to speak too loudly. She really hoped it was him. New Species did that when they were angry and she figured he’d be furious if he had woken to find her gone. “Is that you?”
Something else moved to her right and she turned her head in that direction. A dark shape crept closer from behind a tree. It was big but low to the ground. Unless Shadow was on all fours, it wasn’t him. She backed up slowly, terrified. Another growl came from her right and she glanced that way to spot another big, low shape moving between two bushes, creeping closer.
“Shadow?” Her voice rose slightly. She wanted to scream his name but fear restricted her lungs.
The smell reached her nose as she began to pant. Fresh blood was what she was picking up if she had to guess. That didn’t bode well. Another smell came with it. She identified it from the times she’d petted a few of the guard dogs the Species officers sometimes brought into the women’s dorm.
“Good doggies,” she crooned, backing up further. She had to be close to the river’s edge. “Where are the officers who take you for walks?”
One of them stepped out into the moonlight enough for her to get a good look at it and she whimpered. It wasn’t wearing an NSO collar nor did it look as if it were friendly. It bared its fangs and snarled at her.
“Shit,” she breathed, knowing a wolf when she saw one.
The other one prowled closer, coming at her from the side. It snarled too and crouched a little, probably preparing to launch its body at her. They were stalking her and she was their prey. Her instincts screamed it. Danger.
No one had warned her about wild wolves running around the woods. She backed up, tottered but regained her balance, glanced back and realized she’d run out of space. She could jump into the water, pray the wolves wouldn’t follow her in, but she couldn’t swim. The drop to the water wasn’t far, perhaps three feet to the dark river, but she had no idea how deep it would be.
“Easy,” she crooned, turning to face them. One sharp breath and she tried to steady her shaky voice. “Stay!” The firm tone made her proud.
They inched closer, both growling low and deep. They are going to attack me. She could sense the danger as if it were a smell she could inhale. Both of them tensed, their big furry bodies lowering slightly in the front in preparation, but another howl eerily pierced the night.
Both of them turned their heads toward the direction from which it had come from. Beauty allowed her instincts to take over and she sprinted to the right along the river’s edge. She ran as fast as she could, ignoring the pain in her bare feet.
They were in pursuit. Their labored breathing and heavy bodies crushing leaves and twigs assured her of that. She wasn’t sure in which direction the cabin lay but kept moving as she dodged trees and bushes. One good intake of air and a scream finally burst forth.
The wolves were gaining on her, too fast for her to outrun, despite the advantage of her altered genes. The river wasn’t an option but she did see a low-hanging branch ahead. Desperation made her try to jump for it and rough bark tore into her palms. She wasn’t strong enough to keep hold of it though and crashed to the ground hard on her belly.
She rolled into a ball, the only thing left to do, waiting for the wolves to tear into her. Her arms covered her face and her palms covered her ears. Something big landed next to her and she whimpered.
“No!” The masculine voice was loud and brutally harsh.
A heavy weight pressed against her ass. Beauty wanted to cry when a hand pinned her shoulder to keep her in position. The snarling wolves were close but Shadow didn’t move away from her. He was using his body to shield hers.
“Go,” he snarled. “Find rabbits.”
One of the wolves whined.
“Go!”
They retreated, crashing through the woods loudly. The hand on her shoulder left and the weight leaning against her ass moved away. He was breathing heavily. Hot tears filled Beauty’s eyes and she knew how close she’d come to dying.
“You’re safe.” The voice came out less animalistic and a new fear shot through her. That wasn’t Shadow.
She slowly moved her arms, peeking up, and made out the shape of a man crouching a few feet away. He was big.
“They are gone,” he informed her, his tone softening. “Don’t fear me.” He moved slowly, offering her a hand. “Take it. Let me help you up. You’re in no danger.”
“Beauty!” Shadow shouted her name.
The guy next to her turned his head and growled.
