His mouth fell open and his hold on her loosened. Even the look in his eyes indicated she’d totally astounded him with her confession. Damn. He didn’t appear overjoyed at being told she loved him. He said nothing but released her and turned away.

He stripped na**d and just climbed into the shower. She hesitated, unsure of what to do. He finally turned his head, his expression impassive. “I’ll be done in a moment.”

It wasn’t an invitation to join him and her shoulders sagged. She’d really screwed up by confessing how deep her feelings ran. She dropped her gaze, fighting the urge to flee the bathroom, her pride wounded. The shower door opened and True grabbed a towel.

“Shower. I’ll be waiting for you in the bedroom.”

He didn’t even take time to dry off before he was gone. She closed her eyes and silently cursed. New Species were really different from other men but it seemed in one way they were the same. She’d freaked him out by telling him she loved him too soon. She hoped he wasn’t sprinting out the front door and running for his life the way some humans would.

She opened her eyes and stepped under the warm spray of water, soaking her hair and skin. It would be awkward facing him but she’d apologize. She wasn’t sorry that she loved him but for dumping it on him way too soon. She could chalk it up to all she’d been through but it was something she’d wanted to confess for a long time. She wouldn’t blame a bad night for her being too honest with him.

It didn’t take her long to wash her hair and scrub her skin with body wash. Her incision appeared to be completely healed. Jeanie shut off the water, exited the shower and slowly dried off. She’d forgotten to grab something else to put on when she’d followed True into the bathroom. It left her with no choice but to wrap the damp towel around her body and open the bathroom door. She stepped into the bedroom and gasped.

The lights were off but candles were lit all around the room. A row of them lined the dresser and both nightstands. It was a romantic setting she’d never seen coming. True stood at the end of the bed in the center of the room, still wearing just a towel. He smiled when she stared at his face.

“What is all this?”

“We’re celebrating.”

She didn’t know what to say. He stalked closer, totally doing that animal thing that was kind of sexy as he peered at her with his lips slightly parted and his sharp teeth showing. The look in his eyes was definitely predatory but in a good way. She was still confused but very aware of his sexual appeal. He stopped before her and reached for the top of her towel. She glanced down as he tore it off and tossed it aside.

“What are you doing?” She didn’t try to cover herself, too stunned to do anything but look up at him.

“I’m going to mate you.” He dropped his towel. “Being completely na**d is the best way to do that.”

“You lit all these candles…” She glanced at them, then back at him.

“I wanted it to be special.”

“Any time we’re na**d in a bedroom together is special to me.”

True smiled as he took both her hands in his, backing up toward the bed, leading her to it. “I am glad we agree on that.” He stopped and let her go. “Get on the bed.”

She climbed up on the mattress and turned, watching him do the same. His much larger body made the bed dip and she laughed as his hand gripped her waist. He gently shoved her so she rolled over onto her back. She smiled up at him as he climbed over her body to pin her under him, being careful of her side. Their gazes locked.

“Am I hurting your wound?”

“No. I barely notice it now. That drug I was given is amazing.”

“You’re my mate,” he whispered.

“I’m yours,” she agreed just as softly.

He used his elbows to keep his upper body weight from crushing her. One of his fingers traced her jawline, from her ear to her chin. His gaze searched hers for a long moment. Then he slowly lowered his face as if he couldn’t wait one more moment to connect with her.

She closed her eyes and parted her lips in eager anticipation of his kiss. The passion he put into it leveled Jeanie. He was the oxygen she was starved for, her body igniting with want for him, everything in her tightened with the need to have him inside her. She moaned and spread her thighs, wrapping her legs around his waist to urge him to enter her. She wiggled and bucked her h*ps as the desire to be taken grew into an almost painful need. The man could make her hurt with just his mouth on hers.

True broke the kiss and lifted his head. “Say you love me.”

Her eyes opened and she stared up at him, dazed that he’d stopped as much as by what he’d said. “What?”

He growled. “This is how I thought I’d hear those words for the first time from you. Say them to me again, Jeanie.”

He always surprised her. “You’re not upset by what I said in the bathroom? It’s not too soon?”

“Upset?” He looked confused. “Never. I want you to say it again. Right now.”

“I’m in love with you, True.”

He didn’t reciprocate the words but instead went for her mouth. The kiss said more than words could as he used his body to show her his feelings. His h*ps shifted—clearly he was as anxious as she was. She moaned against his tongue as his c**k pressed at the entrance to her pu**y and pushed inside.

He wasn’t as gentle as the last time. Their passion ramped up a hundredfold after almost losing each other. True hammered in and out of her, driving her wild with how incredible it felt. She tore her mouth away, fearful of biting him and dug her fingernails into his skin, clinging tighter. The sounds he made only turned her on more as his low growls filled the room.