He growled and his chest vibrated against hers. The low, dangerous sound sent chills down her spine and the color of his eyes seemed to darken. It might have been a play of the dim light since they were far from the windows but he looked terrifying. Her heart rate quickened and she wondered if he planned to hurt her.

“Try to fight me,” he snarled.

“I won’t.” She knew he was attempting to provoke her but she wasn’t dense. His body felt as hard and solid as the wall at her back. It wouldn’t be a fight she could win.

“Exactly.” The growling stopped and the vibrations ceased. His tone lowered to a harsh whisper. “Never believe we’re amenable creatures who could conform to your way of life. We have an entire section at Reservation that is full of failed examples of what happens when idiots attempt to make pets out of animals not meant to be tame. They live with us for a reason. Take the blinders off. We have more in common with rescued ex-circus animals than with you.”

He shifted his h*ps closer and the press of his groin rubbed against her inner thigh. The rigid length of his erection couldn’t be mistaken for anything else. Most women would have begged to be put down or pleaded with him to cool his temper. She thought he was kind of sexy when he was hostile.

“We’re not too different though.” She eased her hold on his shoulders and trailed her fingertips down his chest. “You want me. An ex-circus animal wouldn’t be sporting a boner from having me this close.”

His eyes widened and he hissed. “Fuck.”

The sound he made reminded her of a pissed-off large cat. “Sorry that your plan to intimidate and terrify me isn’t working.” She felt no regret though. “Did you expect me to burst into tears?”

The low growl that came from his slightly parted lips was sexy. She liked the way he glanced at her br**sts before meeting her eyes again. She traced her palms upward to curl her fingers over the tops of his shoulders.

“You feel like a man to me. That makes us compatible as people.”

“Don’t,” he rasped.

“Don’t what?”

“Provoke me.”

She was tempted to. “I’m just stating the obvious. You can keep denying we’re comparable but your body doesn’t believe what your mouth is saying.”

His hold on her eased and she slid down his body. He backed up the second her feet touched the floor to release her completely. “Teach them the tricks your people use to lie and deceive our officers. That’s how you can be useful. Rusty told me what you did with your purse. Show all that you know. Tomorrow tell them about the weapons they aren’t aware of.”

She appreciated the suggestion. “Okay.”

“Don’t sugarcoat humans either. We don’t deal with nice ones, for the most part. Tell them about the worst of your kind.”

“I resent that. Not every human being is a criminal.”

“You drove through our gates. Did you see the protestors?”

“I saw the supporters too.”

“Do you believe all of them are there with good intentions?” He tilted his head, staring deeply into her eyes. “What does your training tell you about those who try to seem harmless, when in fact they are a danger to the NSO?”

She swallowed, feeling that question was directed at her. He was smart, though, and she wouldn’t treat him otherwise. “It’s possible that some are pretending to be supportive to spy on the ones who really are or to gain the trust of your officers in hopes that they’ll be able to launch an effective attack.”

“Exactly. Teach them that.”

“I just don’t want to leave them with the impression that all people are bad. You seem to already think that.”

“Supposedly your job here is to help us learn how to protect ourselves more effectively.”

“Supposedly?” Was he still suspicious of her? She studied his dark eyes but he gave no emotion away.

“I don’t trust anyone. I made that mistake once and learned. It’s how I’ve survived.”

She wondered who had betrayed him. Something he’d said when they’d been in that interrogation room tugged at her memory. “A woman?”

He scowled. “Did I say that?”

She should just let it drop but couldn’t. There was just something about Darkness that made her want to know more about him. “You said something about pretending I was someone else to effectively do your job. I got the impression you meant a woman. You said ‘a female from your past’.”

“You read too much into it.”

“Did I?” She wasn’t convinced. He was good, though, keeping his tone unchanged.

He leaned in a little and ducked his head to stare down at her. “Let me give you a little advice, sweetheart. You’re very inquisitive but your skills of observation are a little too refined for your background. I’d watch that.”

He spun away and strode out into the main area of the bar. She hugged her waist and leaned against the wall, taking a few deep breaths. It was a warning, plain and simple. He suspected she wasn’t who she claimed. He had a point though. She was trained in ways a crime lab technician wouldn’t be. They were skilled at determining data at a scene, not delving into behavioral or verbal observation and clues.

“Well hell,” she muttered.

She pushed away from the wall and dropped her arms to her sides. She stepped out from behind the stage, forced a smile and glanced around the room. Darkness was nowhere to be found but plenty of New Species seemed to want her attention as they indicated they’d like to speak. It was time to be sociable.