Field shifted his stance. “He threatened to rip off any body parts we touched you with. He cares about you. He also handpicked every male assigned to stay outside the door. Medical is short-staffed today because I’m here instead.”

That surprised her. “Why would he do that?”

The guy swallowed and glanced away, looking uncomfortable. “You live with him. May I speak freely?”

“Sure.”

“You’re the first female Darkness has shared sex with since we were liberated. He avoided them to the point that others believed he might be interested in males.” His cheeks flushed. “Please don’t tell him I said that. He has a temper. I’m not a good fighter. It’s why I chose nursing as a profession. He’d pull me into the training room to get even.”

It confirmed what Darkness had told her. “I won’t repeat anything you say. I swear.”

Field stepped closer and lowered his voice. “I was also ordered to tell you that there is no guest housing available if you asked.” He licked his lips and glanced back at the open door, then gave her an intense stare. “That is a lie.”

Her mind reeled a little.

“He wants you to stay with him. I assume from those orders he gave me when he left that you might ask to be moved. He doesn’t talk much but it’s clear that you matter. He’s a good male. He’s just difficult to relate to. He keeps everything inside.”

She approached him and kept her voice low. “He asked you to lie to me?”

He nodded. “He is known for his honesty. I was surprised by the order. My take on it is that he’s desperate to keep you inside his home. He might not feel comfortable admitting that to you or even know how.”

“He’s never there. Don’t you think he’d spend more time with me if that were the case?”

“He’s Darkness. I’m telling you this because I’d hate for him to lose the one thing he’s shown interest in. I would tell a female she was important to me, but him?” Field sighed. “He’d assign you officers he knew would be too afraid to touch his female and ask them to lie so she believes there are no other options but staying in his bed. Do you understand? He’s proud and stubborn. He might be afraid of rejection. I know you care about him. I am friends with Book. You demanded to live with Darkness. He overheard your conversation in your home when they went to bring you to Homeland. Species hearing is excellent. Don’t give up on Darkness. I believe he’s worth the frustration and anger he must make you feel.”

“He keeps pushing me away.”

“Push back. He won’t harm you. I’d bet my life on it. He needs a very strong female to handle him. I know what your job in the out world is. A weak female wouldn’t have chosen to work for the FBI. I do have human female friends who also chose male-dominated careers. You’re used to facing adversity. The male is worth it. You obviously couldn’t find a male worthy of you until now. Darkness would be.”

She studied his pretty eyes. “Thank you for telling me all that. I won’t rat you out. I appreciate it.”

“We all should come with instruction manuals.” He grinned. “It would be so much easier to relate to each other, wouldn’t it? I have an advantage since I spend a good amount of time with human medical staff. Darkness isn’t typical and he’s lost a lot more than most. It makes him extra stubborn about allowing anyone to get too close.”

“I know that too well.”

“His heart is larger than he’d like anyone to know. I’ve seen such thoughtfulness in some of his actions. You just have to push past his resistance.”

“I needed that pep talk. I was about to throw in the towel. Let’s go back to his apartment. I have to think up a new game plan.”

“You might want to reword that in the future. Species would believe you mean that in a literal sense, that you’re playing with his heart, but I understand.” He grinned. “Keep your eye on the ball and knock that sucker right out of the park. He cares about you.”

Kat laughed.

* * * * *

“All is well?” Darkness studied Field. The male stood, nodded and tucked his ebook reader under his arm. “Thank you.”

He strode to his door but paused before entering. He liked coming home to her in his bed but Kat would be sleeping on the couch. It was his own fault. He couldn’t blame her for being resentful of his treatment. She was stuck in the small space and that would irritate anyone. He waited for Field to pass him in the hallway before he opened the door.

His vision adjusted to the dim room. She hadn’t left on any lights for him, another sign she still resented him. He closed the door and crept across the room to stare down at the couch. Kat wasn’t sleeping there. He frowned and approached the bedroom. The door stood open and no light showed. He hesitated at the entry.

She lay on his side of the bed, almost falling off the edge. He leaned against the doorframe, accepting that it was relief he felt. She was there, in his bed. He backed up, removed his vest and tossed it on the couch before removing his boots. His feet hurt from pulling so many extra shifts. It had kept him busy though, away from Kat. He stripped out of all his clothing and returned to the bedroom to stand at the end of the bed, his gaze locked on her form. She slept on her stomach, her bare arm and back revealed where the covers didn’t reach. She hadn’t put on one of his shirts as a barrier against his touch. Her hair was thrown above her head, spread out across his pillow. One of her hands curved into a loose fist inches from her face. Each slow, steady breath was proof that she slept peacefully.