“Fuck no.” Jaded growled. “She’d have my nuts.”

“I agreed to allow Torrent to teach me how to swim.”

Beauty was stunned by Shadow’s admission. It seemed she wasn’t alone when the other Species showed surprise as well. Shadow shrugged.

“The male’s intensions were good. I need to learn how to swim and he offered to teach me. What if Beauty were to fall into the river? It’s my duty to protect her against any danger. We’d both drown.”

“Okay.” Bestial nodded. “What did you learn from those humans?”

“Mistakes happen but you deal with them and get past it.”

Shadow approached Beauty. The bandage on his forehead was small but he walked on steady legs. He looked healthier and no longer pale. She was grateful that he seemed to be recovering from his injuries and that he’d returned so quickly. He came up on the porch and paused to stare down at her.

“How are you?”

“I’m fine.”

His eyebrows rose. “Really?”

“I was scared,” she whispered, unable to see the others with his body in her way. “How is your head?”

“Not broken.” He smiled.

“Let’s go and leave them alone,” Bestial announced. “You have a charity event to go to, don’t you, Jaded? We don’t want you to be late.”

“Shut up. For the thousandth time, I don’t enjoy them. They are a pain in the ass.”

“I don’t see you turning down any of those invitations.”

“They are for good causes and our publicity team said they improve our image.”

“You mean your image. Say cheese.”

“Boys!” Creek laughed. “No fighting. Stop antagonizing him, Bestial. We don’t want him to show up with any bruises if you two start exchanging blows. They always want Jaded be in the pictures. He can’t help it that he’s so pretty.”

The male snarled. “Screw you both.”

“You’re not my type,” Bestial teased.

“It would be so wrong to f**k my boss.” Creek laughed again. They left and Beauty listened to the engine sounds fade away. Shadow waited too until only birds singing nearby could be heard. He took a deep breath and reached out slowly to cup her face with one of his hands.

“Are you really fine? I hated to leave you.”

“I know.” She believed him. “Did the doctors clear you or should you still be there?” It wouldn’t surprise her if he’d refused to stay at Medical even if they’d asked him to.

“They said I could go.”

“Okay.”

He released her and she backed inside the cabin. His gaze left hers to drift around the room. His mouth tightened into a grim line before he looked back at her. “You cleaned up the destroyed table.”

“Creek helped me. I knew you’d do it but I didn’t want you to be reminded of what happened.”

“That is always going to stay with me. I should have heard him coming.”

“We were distracted.” Heat rose in her cheeks, remembering what they had been doing and that Torrent had seen them having sex. She cleared her throat. “I’m making us food. Go shower while I finish up. It’s just sandwiches. I wasn’t sure when you’d return but wanted to keep busy.”

He hesitated, closed the door at his back and locked it. “Can I hold you first?”

She nodded, stepping into him. The second his arms encircled her waist and drew her against his long frame, she breathed him in. The stench of antiseptic was strong but she wrapped her arms around his middle, hugging tightly. It didn’t matter that he smelled bad, just that he was back.

“I’m so sorry,” he stated gruffly. “It won’t happen again.”

“Don’t do that.”

He tensed.

“That wasn’t your fault. Stop blaming yourself. We’re both fine. It was a lesson learned. We never thought anyone would enter the cabin.”

He rested his chin on top of her head. “I’m proud of you.”

It was her turn to tense. “Why?”

“You bit him.” He chuckled. “You fought with a male. I won’t forget that. You faced your fears attempting to defend me.”

Worry melted into warm sensations as she relaxed in his hold again. “Creek thought your pride would be injured and warned me you might be angry. That wasn’t my intention. I just wanted to protect you when you were unconscious.”

“My pride is bruised for allowing anyone to sneak up on us. I was worried that you’d regret coming here with me. I am probably not the right male for you.”

It was an improvement. He’d said probably instead of being certain. “You are perfect,” she swore.

He hugged her a little tighter. “I’ll shower. I reek from being at Medical.”

A small laugh escaped. “I wasn’t going to complain.”

Shadow nuzzled her again. “I’ll hurry. We’ll talk.”

“Okay.” Her hold on him loosened but she didn’t want to let go. “You need to eat something.”

“I do.” They stared at each other as they stepped back and broke physical contact. “Food will help my body process the drugs they gave me.”

“Are you really okay?”

He nodded. “I’ll heal fast. I’ve adjusted to the side effects. You’re in no danger from me.”