Searing pleasure tore through him as bursts of his se**n released. His h*ps jerked from the force of it, his body seized and her pu**y tightened even more. No, I’m swelling. He shook from the force of his c**k pumping cum inside her, jet after jet of it making him groan and revel in sexual satisfaction. He stilled. He was locked inside her the way only a Species canine could.

“I love sex,” she admitted, obviously content to lie there with him curved around her.

“I love sex with you,” he panted, brushing another kiss on her throat. “Was I too rough?” He worried he might inadvertently harm her frailer body.

“Never.”

Even in his frenzy, he’d taken care with her. Some of his confidence returned. Perhaps I’ve really grown beyond my past.

“It was perfect.”

“I’m glad.” He kissed her again. His c**k flexed inside her, almost with the rhythm of a heartbeat as it did it again and again. “Are you up for another round? The swelling is fading.” Need and desire for her were a living, breathing thing inside him. He’d never get enough of his Beauty. Touching her, tasting her, being inside her sweet body.

Beauty smiled. “Good.”

Everything felt right in his world.

Chapter Fifteen

“You’re doing great.” Torrent chuckled. “See why they call it dog-paddling? We’re good at it.”

Shadow wasn’t amused. “You could have told me to keep my chin up.”

“You’re smart. You learned before you swallowed too much of the river.” The male moved to shallower water, standing when his feet touched bottom. “I think that’s enough for today. You are passably skilled and won’t drown. It’s good that you pick things up quickly.”

“Beauty’s life is in my hands.”

Torrent nodded. “We do what we must to protect our females.”

“My female.”

Torrent shoved his wet hair out of his face. “It will score you points with impressing her. Maybe I should give Beauty lessons now.”

The snarl was instant. Shadow glared at the male. “Don’t speak of her or go near her again.”

“Fine.” His hands disappeared into the water. “I apologized. No one gave me the heads-up that you two were bonding. I guess it’s serious?”

Shadow swam to shallower water and stood. “I need to get back to her.” He strode out of the water, stripped out of his wet shorts and picked up a towel to dry his body.

“How are things going?”

Shadow faced him when he came out of the river too. “That’s none of your business.”

“She’s like a human, isn’t she?”

“Again, none of your business.”

“I’ve spent time with them. Do you want some advice?”

“No.”

A grin split the other male’s lips. “Take things slow. We’re scary to them.”

“Drop it. Thank you for the swim lesson.”

“You need to learn more. You won’t drown but you aren’t too skilled just yet. I think giving you both lessons would be safer. I won’t flirt with her but I’d hate to think of something bad happening if it comes down to a worst-case scenario.”

Shadow decided to be blunt. “I don’t want you near her.”

“That’s why you met me away from the cabin?”

“She’s fragile.”

The male grabbed the other towel and rubbed water from his face and chest. “I wouldn’t say that in front of her. She might take offense.”

“She’s not typical of our females.”

“No shit.” Torrent chuckled. “I got that immediately when I found her in the woods that night. They would have had those wolves running for their lives instead of the other way around. She also attacked me.”

That reminder didn’t amuse Shadow. “How much danger lurks here?”

“Besides the wolves, bears, lions and tigers I already mentioned?” He paused, the towel over his chest. “A few cougars, we’ve taken in some pit bulls that humans found too difficult to tame, and then there’re the residents. Some are okay but some you shouldn’t turn your back on.” He tapped his head. “They aren’t all there.”

“Insanity?”

“In spades. They were tortured and in some cases, had no interaction with anyone but the ass**les who abused them. Freedom is a concept some refuse to believe. All humans are considered threats to them.”

“Beauty isn’t human. She’s Species.”

“She is small and appears more human than most. They may take issue with her. Valiant has warned them sternly to avoid this area. He keeps them in control for the most part. Leo is also good with intimidation. He’s a wild bastard though.”

“Who is Leo? Is he a danger?”

“Another feline. He won’t come after the Gift. I’d worry more about him playing pranks but he’s got heart. He’s sane but doesn’t follow rules. He enjoys giving the officers headaches.”

“What about Vengeance?” He remembered how the male had gone after Wrath’s female. “Is he still here?”

“Yeah.” Torrent tossed his towel down and grabbed a pair of cargo pants. “He has a habit of going after any female he feels might mate with him. He won’t come near your female though.”

“I’ll kill him if he comes after Beauty.” Shadow meant it. He’d seen how terrified Lauren had been after her attack at headquarters. Vengeance had tried to force mate the human. He’d never give that bald Species a chance to put his hands on Beauty. “He is lucky to be breathing.”