“I’m glad you’ve recovered.” Her voice came out shaky. Her shoulders straightened a bit as she pulled herself together and forced her arms to her sides. She wanted to appear calm and composed. “How are you feeling? No lasting headache or fogginess?”

Moon cocked his head. Anger definitely flashed in his dark eyes. “Is that all you have to say to me, Dr. Yards?”

She gave up on being professional. It was bullshit to even pretend to be able to pull that off and they both obviously knew it after the mocking way he’d just addressed her.

“No.” She took a hesitant step forward, the urge to touch him strong enough that her fingers flexed. It probably wouldn’t be smart to try it though so she paused, keeping a good ten feet of space between them. “What do you want me to say? I’m no longer your therapist but that’s the role I’m most comfortable with at this moment because you are glaring at me. I’m trying to determine why.”

He pushed away from the door and slowly stalked closer. Joy took in the lithe way he moved. An alarm went off in the back of her mind. That wasn’t a man coming at her but a predator, a pissed-off and dangerous one. She took a step back before he could touch her. He froze and softly growled.

“You of all people should know better in my current mood. You turn and run, I’ll take you down.” He glanced behind her before holding her gaze. “The carpet looks thick but I doubt it would prevent you from getting hurt if I tackle you to the floor.”

It was tough to think as she battled fear and logic. He wouldn’t intentionally harm her though she knew his threat was real. She stared up into his face and his exotic beauty struck her once more. He looked fierce and sexy at the same time. His full lips were slightly parted, reminding her of his sharp canines. The bite mark on her didn’t hurt but her awareness of it was suddenly heightened, along with the memory of how he’d put it there.

“I’m almost tempted to push you,” she admitted, throwing caution aside. His beautiful eyes widened, his surprise apparent. “What would you do to me?”

His gaze moved down her body slowly, taking in every inch, and his nostrils flared as he inhaled. She glanced down to the front of his sweats. There was no missing his response. The outline of his c**k thickened and lengthened as she watched.

“Fuck,” he softly hissed.

She jerked her gaze away from his groin to look into his eyes again. He glared at her. She took another small step backward, knowing it would provoke his instinct to give chase.

“Don’t do it, Joy. I came to talk.”

That’s what she dreaded. She was afraid he’d ask her to leave Homeland. He must regret what had happened between them and it wouldn’t be a stretch if he blamed her for them having sex. His need to speak to her implied he wished it hadn’t happened. She tried to hide her pain.

“Okay.”

His eyes closed. “Don’t use that tone.”

“What tone?” she whispered, not trusting her voice to hide the fact that her heart was breaking.

His eyes opened. “Damn you. You have no right to act injured. You left me! You’re the one who walked away.” His voice rose into a snarl. “Don’t expect to return to my life as if all that time hasn’t passed. I’m not the same male.”

“I know that.”

The front door opened and Flame peered in. “Is everything okay?”

“Get out,” Moon ordered. “We’re having an argument. She’ll scream for you if she needs assistance. I’m fully aware of who I am and not losing it again. Stay outside at your post and stop interfering.”

Flame glanced at Joy, making sure she was well. She nodded, worried he wouldn’t give them privacy otherwise.

“Um, understood.” He withdrew, firmly closing the door.

Joy studied Moon. One of his hands lifted to run his fingers through the side of his hair, pushing it back, away from his face. Anger still burned in his brown eyes as he grimly regarded her. Her gut twisted. This was going to be a painful end to their reunion.

Moon fought down his rage. Joy had always been a sore spot with him. It had been hell when she’d disappeared, leaving him no recourse but to accept that he’d never see her again. It wasn’t as if he could track her down in the foreign world she’d fled to. It had crossed his mind a few hundred times though his chances of actually locating her hadn’t been good. Pride hadn’t allowed it in the end and it would have been sheer stupidity to put his life at risk to pursue a female who had rejected him in a very final way.

She stood in front of him, appearing fragile, her emotions clear on her face. That hadn’t changed about her. Her eyes had always been too expressive and got past his defenses every time. Even now he wanted to soothe her and make that hurt look fade. The fact that she still affected him strongly only strengthened his bitterness.

“I appreciate you taking time out of your busy life to come to Homeland.” He kept his tone neutral.

Joy lowered her gaze to stare at his chest. She nodded as her shoulders stiffened.

He stifled a snarl and was grateful for once that he’d spent a lifetime hiding his feelings. After all she’d put him through, he wouldn’t allow her to step back into his life as if no time had passed. He’d changed over the years, learned to get past his obsession with her, and he’d done a good job of it. The risk of her walking away from him a second time was too high to chance. He wouldn’t allow her to creep into his heart again. Once burned, twice shy. It was a human motto he had become familiar with.