He drew in a ragged breath, his chest invading her space and pressing against her br**sts. “I’ll take you. Do you understand?”

“Your place or mine? Let’s go.”

He glanced around and his hold on her loosened. “Yours. The patrols will be by here soon.” He held her gaze. “Or I’d take you where you stand.”

Sexy. She’d totally do him on the grass but wasn’t about to admit that. “Let’s go.”

He stepped back and his hands dropped away. “I come with conditions, Kat.”

“What are they?”

He hesitated. “You do what I say when it comes to sex.”

“You’re one of those.” She felt a little disappointed. “I’m not the Master-and-slave type. Sorry but I won’t drop to my knees on command to blow you or enjoy being smacked.”

“That’s not what I meant. I’m going to tie your hands to the headboard so you can’t touch me. Will you agree to that?”

“Why?”

He hesitated. “Remember when I had you in interrogation? I would have lost control of the situation if you’d had your hands free. That’s part of the terms. There will be no hitting involved but I’m not one of your humans. I just want to f**k you while I’m in control of it. It’s safer for both of us that way. Don’t ever forget what I said to you about an out-of-control male.”

Everything they’d shared inside that interrogation room flashed through her mind. “You want to repeat what happened between us before but this time you plan to finish what you start?”

“Yes. That’s half of my terms.”

“What’s the other half?”

He lowered his head and stared into her eyes. “Don’t lie to me this time. Everything that comes out of your mouth will be the truth when I have you na**d or don’t say anything at all.”

His intense stare reminded her of why she was really there. That really dampened her mood. “Why would you want to take me to bed if you think I’m going to lie to you? That’s what you’re implying.”

“This is just about sex. Trust is earned but we’re strangers. I’m making that a term, Kat. No lies between us when we’re naked. Lie to me any other time and I won’t take it personally. You never want me to feel betrayed by you. Do you understand? It would be dangerous.”

She did and that scared her. He had made it clear that he suspected she was at Homeland for other reasons than to teach her classes. It was there between them, larger than life.

“I understand and accept the terms.”

“Also, this stays between you and me only. No one is to know what happens between us sexually. Do you agree?”

She wanted him. “Yes.”

It was a bargain she hoped she wouldn’t regret. He’d given her the option of not talking at all if something he asked her crossed a line where she’d have to lie. She appreciated that but silence would be as telling as just blurting out the truth. It was stupid to follow him back to her cottage but she wanted him enough to risk it. Even if it meant putting her career on the line.

Chapter Seven

“Go inside and wash off that perfume,” Darkness ordered the moment they entered her back yard.

“I forgot what you said about it bothering your nose. Do you want to join me in the shower?” She glanced at his hands and face. “You’ve got blood on you still.”

“I’ll wash up next door and return in about fifteen minutes. Don’t bother putting anything on. Just a towel. Leave the slider unlocked.”

He expected her to protest. She was a strong-willed female but she just nodded curtly. “Okay. See you in fifteen.”

He hurried next door, snatched up his cell phone and dialed. It rang while he opened the laptop on his bed. Security answered.

“Hi, Darkness. You ready to take the feed over again?”

“Yes.” He punched commands into the keyboard. “Thanks.” He disconnected the feed to Security.

The screen showed that Kat paced in the bedroom. She didn’t seem too eager to take a shower and he wondered if she’d changed her mind. Darkness locked down the feed so no one else could view the cameras that watched her every move. He’d rather be safe than sorry. He rose and entered the bathroom, tearing off his clothing.

When the blood washed off he saw that the fight with Fury had left him bruised. There were some minor cuts on his hands. He put on a pair of silky sleeping pants, entered the bedroom and he sat on the bed. Kat wasn’t on screen. He changed the location of the feed until he found her in the bathroom.

She had washed her hair and body and had a towel around her middle. Her hand lifted and she wiped steam off the mirror to peer at her reflection. Her lips moved and he activated the sound. Did she have some type of listening device they hadn’t found to talk to whoever she worked for? It infuriated him since he’d purposely not invaded her privacy in that one room until then.

“Fine,” she whispered. “You want him. He wants you. What’s the worst that could happen?” She straightened and closed her eyes, taking a few deep breaths. “I’ll regret this if I chicken out.” Her eyes opened and she leaned forward again, taking in her reflection. “I’m not a chicken. It’s going to be fine. He won’t hurt me.”

He studied her ears, looking for listening devices but saw none. Who is she talking to? He couldn’t hear anyone else.