Zandy tried not to take offense since he was New Species. “My first husband cheated on me with another woman. My second husband turned out to be a bum. He didn’t live on the streets, before you ask. He wouldn’t get a job and he just wanted me to feed him and pay for everything. I got sick of it pretty fast. He also slept with one of our neighbors. I was always loyal to them but it wasn’t returned. I just have shitty luck finding the right guy.”

His expression softened. “I understand. They betrayed your trust and weren’t mate-worthy.” His gaze darted to Tiger before meeting hers again. “Tiger is a male who has sworn to never take a mate.”

“I know. That about sums up my history with men. I’m always picking the ones who won’t be in my life for long.”

“I’ve watched you with him since yesterday. You have deep feelings for Tiger. Is he aware that you love him?”

She wasn’t about to deny it. “No. He’s been really clear that he’s not looking for something lasting and I can respect that. I wasn’t looking for a relationship either after being burned twice by love. Now, I wish I’d told him.”

“He’ll survive. He’s a tough male.”

“I hope so.” Hot tears filled her eyes and she blinked them back. “I’m going to go take that shower. You’re staying with him, right? I don’t want him left alone.”

“We have another room next door where Bestial and I are sleeping. It has a private bathroom. Go use it. Your bags were taken there. They are in the corner.”

“Thanks.” She checked on Tiger one last time before crossing the room. She had opened the door when Jaded spoke again.

“Zandy?”

She turned toward him. “Yes?”

“Please come here.”

Nervousness pitted her stomach. “Why?”

“Curiosity. I won’t harm you. I would like to see those bites again please.”

She could refuse but Jaded had stood up for her with Dr. Razner. She stopped before him and he stood. His hands were gentle as he lifted her hair out of the way and tugged her shirt to the side to expose the back of her shoulder.

“I can see two distinctive times you were bitten.” He paused. “They were done at different times. Did you ask him to do this to you?”

“No.”

“You’re a small female and we’re strong. Did he accidentally take you too rough and cause you to try to get away from him during sex?”

“No.”

“For someone who doesn’t want a mate, he’s extremely possessive of you.” He released her shirt and stepped away. “Has he bitten you anywhere else?”

She shook her head.

“We don’t usually bite females during sex unless we are in the middle of it and they try to move away. We will grip them with our teeth to hold them in place during highly passionate moments. It’s instinct to finish the sex with us after a certain point. The only other time a male has been known to bite a female is possessiveness. The urge to have all of them, including to know the taste of their blood on our tongues. To mark them for that reason is very rare. It’s a trait we’ve discovered in males who want to make the female their mate. Tiger has bitten you twice, one of those times deep enough to scar. It’s a lasting mark that will warn off other males who see it. They’ll know there’s a male willing to kill them if they mount you.”

“He said he just lost control. He didn’t mean to do it. You’re making too much out of this.”

“I’m educating you, Zandy. I don’t care what he said. Actions speak with Species. Those bites assure me that my friend isn’t easily going to allow you to leave his life. Think about this while he recovers. He might not have wanted a mate and you might not have wanted one either but you both are feeling strongly for each other.”

She nodded her understanding and hope flared to life that perhaps Tiger was falling in love with her too. “I’m going to take a quick shower.”

“Go.” Jaded took his seat. “Breakfast will be here soon.”

The other room was empty but four cots had been set up in there, all obviously used by Tiger’s security detail. Her bags were neatly stored in one of the corners and she walked into a towel-messy bathroom. Clean ones were folded but a pile of used, wet ones were on the floor. She closed and locked the door behind her.

The shower felt great after spending a rough night sleeping in a chair at Tiger’s side. Jaded’s words were stuck in her mind. The thought that Tiger wanted to mate her didn’t make her fearful. It wouldn’t be easy telling her family about him but she’d deal with them. They’d be leery of any man she fell for after two divorces.

It would change her life but he would be worth every single one. They’d have to live at the NSO. She loved the people there and wouldn’t miss her house. She wasn’t attached to it except for the mortgage payment. Tiger was one in a billion and worth taking risks for.

She dried off quickly, dressed and returned her bags to the corner of the room. Bestial had exchanged sitting duty with Jaded when she entered Tiger’s room. He was eating and met her gaze.

“You showered.”

“I did.” She approached Tiger’s bed. His coloring had improved and the scratches were healed. It amazed her how much better he looked in a twenty-four-hour period. “The drugs he’s on are amazing.”

“Mercile did a lot of bad things but they were an excellent pharmaceutical developer. They wanted the ability to heal us quickly after the abuse they made us suffer at their hands. Sick test subjects weren’t useful to them.”