“Why?”

The tip of his nose brushed her throat. “Go.”

She’d have to shove back against the headboard and wiggle away from him through the opening between his flattened hand on the mattress next to her thigh and the top of the bed to accomplish that feat.

“True? Why?”

He slowly lifted his head and she met his gaze. The brown of his eyes appeared darker but it might have been because his pupils were larger than normal. “I want you.”

Her lips parted but no words came forth. She wasn’t exactly surprised by that announcement after the conversation they’d had. It did explain why he had been so adamant to find out why she’d responded to him the way she had in the past. He’d just admitted the attraction was mutual. That’s a good thing, right? One glance at his stern expression cast doubt. She struggled to find the right way to ask him what was wrong with being attracted to her.

“I’ll take you if you don’t get away from me right now.”

Take me where? Oh! He means sex. He’ll take me as in…holy shit! He means it. Images of him leaning into her and pushing her flat filled her thoughts. It didn’t send her into a panic to get away. She’d wanted True for what seemed like forever. He was right there in front of her and she’d mourned his loss after he’d been freed from Drackwood, certain she’d never see him again. A lot of lonely nights and dreams about him had left her with a ton of regrets. She’d have given a lot just to have had five minutes alone with him.

We’re in his room. No cameras. No guards to rush inside this room to hurt either of us for breaking any rules now. There are no rules. The only thing that stopped her from asking him to kiss her was the next thought that popped into her head. This is just going to be sex to him and nothing more.

He abruptly rolled off the bed, putting space between them. He faced the wall by the door, his hands fisted at his sides. “Go into the bathroom. Shower. You need to wash away that scent right now.”

She didn’t budge. He’d snarled the words but she’d understood each one. Part of her wanted to flee to the next room and lock the door the way he’d suggested. It would be smarter and safer where her heart was concerned if she never knew his touch. I can’t miss what I’ve never had, her logical side stated. Of course, that’s bullshit, another part of her protested. It will just be one more regret to add to a long list if I run away from this opportunity.

His fingers flexed. “Did you hear me? Get away, Jeanie.”

She moved, getting to her knees. The mattress was big and a little firmer than she liked but it was his bed. “True?”

He snapped his head in her direction. It was impossible to ignore the way his lips parted and those sharp canines were revealed in a silent snarl. He looked pissed but instinct assured her that wasn’t the emotion behind his fighting stance. Frustration could also drive any man into wanting to punch holes in a wall.

This is it. No turning back once you open your mouth. Speak now or hate myself later for being a coward who chickened out on doing the one thing I’ve wanted most. I always said I’d pay any price to get to be with him even one time. “Come here.” She lifted her hand, ignored that it trembled a little, and reached toward him.

He slowly turned around and took a step closer, then another, as if drawn to her by some magnetic pull he couldn’t deny. She glanced up and down his body as he walked over. True was one big man with his towering height and bulky muscles. A little uncertainty struck when she considered that she knew very little about how New Species actually had sex. Some of the employees she’d worked with had hinted that the males took females doggy style and were rough. He had human parts though, probably bigger than average too. He’d have to be careful or he might break her.

True approached Jeanie with trepidation. She didn’t understand that he was very close to losing his control or that she was agreeing to share sex. He broke out in a sweat at the prospect of actually getting her na**d and under him. He paused, studying her kneeling in the middle of his bed. She looked so human and small. Fragile.

She made a strange sound and he jerked his focus to her face. He noticed the way her lips curved upward at the corners. It was a sign of amusement.

“What is funny?”

“Nothing.” She spoke so softly that he had to strain to make sure he heard her correctly.

He didn’t believe her. “You smiled. Why?”

“Um…” She licked her lips. “I just realized that you can actually do what most men only joke about.”

“I don’t understand.”

Her expression sobered. “It’s nothing. Come here.” She wiggled her fingers, implying he should clasp her hand.

He didn’t budge. “What can I do that other males make humor over?”

Jeanie bit her lower lip. “It doesn’t matter.”

“Don’t play human games.” It frustrated him that she always avoided his questions or dismissed them. A Species female wouldn’t.

“You can break me.”

He didn’t see fear in her eyes or smell it when he sniffed the air. The very sweet smell of her had changed into something more tempting. No matter how powerful a male was, he could be brought to his knees by the scent of arousal that strong pulsing off a female, especially one True wanted as badly as he did Jeanie. His gaze lowered to the bottom of the shirt she’d borrowed. It hid the sight of her legs. That thin barrier was the only reason he hadn’t lunged at her and put his mouth between her thighs to discover if she tasted as good as she smelled. His protective feelings for her also held him in check. She’d just stated she was worried he’d cause her harm.