He hadn’t liked Shane touching Beauty but believed it had been innocent. Of course it had taken him time to control his anger. His teammate was easygoing and spoke well of females. He had a lot of sisters he talked about often. Shadow had viewed hundreds of photos of them—the male was proud of his family. Shane wasn’t a threat to Beauty.
He inhaled, the sweetness of her fear a little diluted. Trey caught his attention, a reminder that he was expected to return to the task force. That would mean leaving the female he held. They hadn’t known each other long but he couldn’t imagine just walking away. They’d agreed to share sex and she only wanted him but he wasn’t certain how long she wanted him around. He’d hate to lose his position with the task force if she planned to tell him to get lost soon. He was feeling deep emotions where she was concerned and they were only growing stronger. They needed to talk.
First though, he’d have to meet with Justice and the other Species males. Douglas Miller still posed a threat to Beauty. It wasn’t acceptable, having him out there plotting more attempts to harm Species while the son of a bitch tried to recapture Beauty.
She’d be safest inside the women’s dorm while he attended those meetings. It was situated almost in the center of Homeland and they’d corrected flaws in the building design after a previous attack. He’d demand a team of females be assigned to guard her around the clock too.
As much as he didn’t want to leave Beauty, he needed to. He wanted a say in what was going to happen to keep her safe. He could be of more use working with the task force to eliminate the threat than holding Beauty’s hand. He’d even have to sideline his plans to go after the member of the team who’d given the mercenaries his location to help them get to the Gift. The male would die for his betrayal and for putting Beauty at risk of being returned to her abuser.
They’d have to work out their relationship after the danger passed. He only hoped she’d want him to be part of her life. Giving her up would be nearly impossible. Everything inside him ached in a bad way at the prospect of saying goodbye. Their time together had been short so far but he hoped to change that into something permanent.
Mate. That one word did odd things to his heart. It beat erratically and he realized how much he wanted her to always be his. They’d sleep together every night and he’d wake to her in his arms. No uncertainty was present as he searched his feelings. He wanted that, with her. They would grow closer and he’d experience the happiness Wrath had discovered with Lauren.
Beauty snuggled tighter against his chest and he adjusted his body to make her more comfortable. She felt right in his arms and perfectly fit there. It was where she belonged. He smiled, his gaze studying the males again for any sign of threat.
Trey winked, smiling but Shadow recognized the longing reflected in the male’s eyes. He’d felt it himself when he’d watched Wrath with Lauren. It was the heartfelt desire to have a deep bond with a female. Wrath had been lucky to find that and now Shadow had Beauty. He wasn’t going to push her away ever again because of fear caused by the damage he’d once suffered. He wouldn’t allow his past to ruin his chance at having a future.
He would have to speak to Slade, Fury and Justice about living arrangements if Beauty agreed to be his mate. They couldn’t very well live in the dorms. They’d need their own space. Perhaps they could be assigned to a house next to Wrath and Lauren. He really liked that idea. It would give Beauty a female friend nearby and it would be more secure if both he and his best friend were in close proximity to guard each other’s mates.
The concept took hold as the miles passed. Lauren and Beauty were both soft natured and should get along well. He stroked his hand down Beauty’s back absently, enjoying the freedom of touching her. He couldn’t get enough of how wonderful it felt to have her so close. He just wished they were alone. A kiss would be better…or freeing her of her clothes. The need to inspect every inch of her body was deep rooted, just to make certain she wasn’t harmed. He would love to kiss every bruise or scratch he discovered then make love to her.
His dick filled with blood and he shifted his ass on the bench seat to close his legs, keeping his erection trapped down. The sweats were lousy for that and he wore no underwear. Regret came for not taking the time to shower and change into other clothing while they’d been at Medical.
He’d hunt down Douglas Miller quickly and efficiently to take out the threat to Beauty. There was no other option. As long as the male remained alive and free, he would use his vast resources to keep sending mercenaries after her and paying Mercile doctors to recreate drugs to hurt their people.
It would also feel good to destroy the male who’d harmed his Beauty. He growled low in his throat, unable to hold back the anger. Beauty must have felt the vibration it caused inside his chest because her head rose and her beautiful brown eyes peered up at him questioningly.
He smiled, assuring her he was fine. He stroked down her spine and arched his back a little to indicate she should rest while the flight was in progress. They couldn’t talk. It was too loud without headsets. The entire team would hear each word if they spoke through those.
She got his silent message and relaxed against him. Shadow closed his eyes, content to just hold her while he made plans. Once he made sure Beauty was safe, he could ask her to be his mate. If she said no, he’d just have to convince her. He wasn’t above using seduction. All those damn videos he’d been forced to watch while his semen was stolen had taught him a thing or two about what females enjoyed.
One way or another, he’d convince Beauty to stay with him forever.
Chapter Twenty
Beauty watched Shadow with a sense of fear and dread as he leaned down and brushed a kiss on her forehead. He was leaving her at the dorm to go to a meeting. While he didn’t seem happy, he wasn’t expressing a lot of regret either.
“You’ll be safe here. You’re home.”
She wanted him to stay but kept silent.
“The females are going to guard you.”
“I’m safe at Homeland.” She wasn’t sure why two women had dragged chairs out of their apartments to sit in the hallway to watch her door.
“You are.” He straightened. “I’ll just feel better knowing they are there.”
“The security is tight. No one can get inside the dorms. There are locks, the windows are bulletproof and no one can smash their way inside. There are even cameras. Officers would be all over anyone unauthorized if they even approached the building.”
He hesitated. “Some of the females have male visitors.”
“They couldn’t get inside unless someone walked them through the doors. Do you think any of the Species men are a danger to me?”
“I didn’t say that.”
“Is there something I don’t know?”
“No.”
They watched each other. Beauty suddenly touched him, her fingertips resting on his biceps. She stepped closer, having to raise her chin. He was really tall, something she tended to forget when they were seated, especially when she was on his lap and it made them about the same height.
“Shadow, you’re being overprotective. I understand. You almost died protecting me earlier. I appreciate that but I’m in no danger. This is my home.”
He lowered his head to bring them closer and his hands encased her hips. “Humor me.”
The tension dissipated as she smiled, amused. “There are a lot of things I’d do for you.” It was fun to tease him. “Or to you. Are you sure that’s what you want?”
She grew a little brazen, her gaze slowly raking down his body to the front of his sweatpants. There was no missing how he physically reacted to her attention when the outline of his cock became noticeable, growing thicker and larger. He wanted her as much as she did him.