New Species 12 Darkness (31 page)

“Don’t.”

“Why not?” He spoke softly, his gruff voice sexy.

“This is just cruel.”

“I don’t understand.”

“Yes, you do. It was hard enough walking away once.”

He lifted one hand and reached behind him, digging something out of his back pocket. Metal clanked and he showed her a set of handcuffs. She glanced at them then stared into his eyes.

“No.”

He arched one eyebrow.

“I’m not going to allow you to hook me up to your headboard and do this dance again.”

He tossed them across the room. “I’m going to allow you to touch me all you want. I removed them to make a point. I won’t restrain you anymore.”

“You’re such a bastard. What did I ever do to deserve this?”

“You got under my skin.” He rose, the movement pushing her flat on her back with her hands still on his chest, just inches between their bodies. He climbed over her, trapping her under him. “You nearly died. When I lifted that roof off you I couldn’t detect your breathing at first. I thought I’d lost you forever.”

“So this is how you decide to get even? Give me what I want then regret it right afterward?”

He had the nerve to smile. “I lost control the last time you touched me.”

“What makes you think it won’t happen again? You’re that smug?”

“I was too focused on how good your hands felt to remember to use a condom. I could have accidently gotten you pregnant.”

“Yeah, that was five days of waiting I’ll never forget.”

“This time will be different.”

“No. I’m done with casual sex.”

“There’s nothing casual between us.”

“My point exactly.”

He lifted one leg and gently nudged hers. She locked them together, shaking her head. “No.”

“Spread open for me.”

“Darkness, don’t seduce me just to be an asshole.”

“I’m not.”

“Right. We have sex and then what? You tell me to leave again? That the job offer and living in the apartment were just bullshit?”

“You’re not living in the women’s dorm.”

“You said that’s where Missy was.”

“She is. That’s her new home.”

“She gets to stay at Homeland but I don’t?”

“You’re going to stay here with me.”

She had to be hearing him wrong.

“This is our house,” he said as he nudged her leg again. “Our bedroom. Our bed.” He rolled over suddenly, taking her with him. “And there will be no more regrets.”

Kat ended up sprawled on top of him. She spread her legs and straddled his lap, pushing against his chest until she sat atop him. “What kind of game are you playing?”

“I’m not. You’re important to me. I don’t want to lose you.”

He looked sincere and it made her angry. “Are you kidding me?”

Darkness growled, his mood matching hers. “Do I look as if I’m telling a joke? I got us a house. We shouldn’t have to live in the men’s dorm where other males can hear everything through the walls.”

“You don’t do relationships. You don’t let anyone get too close to you. What changed? I almost died? That’s what you’re saying?”

“Yes.”

“What about tomorrow or next week when you get over the fact that I had a close call? You shut down again and build up the walls? No thanks.”

He sat up, almost knocking her off his lap. His arms hooked around her waist and he jerked her tightly against his chest until they were almost hugging. “I tried to resist the emotions you bring forth. I regretted it when you left Homeland.”

“Which time?”

“Both.”

“But you let me go a second time.”

“What do you want from me, Kat? I got us a house and I promise not to restrain you during sex anymore. I’m offering to share my life with you.”

“Do you want a list?”

“Yes.”

“You’re never home. I lived with you before.”

“I’ll work fewer hours and spend more time with you.”

She wanted to believe him. “You don’t like to talk. I do.”

“I’m talking to you now.”

“That’s only because you want to have sex. That motivates any guy to be a chatterbox if he thinks it’s going to get a woman’s pants down.”

“You want proof that I’m going to do everything to be the kind of male a female mates?”

She couldn’t believe he used that word. “Mates?”

“Mates,” he growled. “That’s what you want.”

“It’s not what you want.”

“I want you.”

“For sex.”

“Work with me this time, Kat.” His tone softened. “I’m trying.”

Tears filled her eyes and she blinked them back. “I don’t want to get my heart stomped on.”

“I won’t hurt you.”

“You won’t mean to. That, I believe.”

Darkness was frustrated. He’d expected Kat to allow him to kiss her and just agree to move in with him. Instead she was sitting on his lap and he felt as if he were holding her in place. She might put space between them if he allowed it. He wasn’t going to.

She wanted him to talk to her. It wasn’t easy to express his feelings. Losing her wasn’t an option. “I feel things for you.”

She wiggled on his lap. “I feel. You’re hard.”

“You’re in my arms.”

“I need more than just sex.”

“I had a nightmare when you were sleeping next to me.”

“I bet.”

He flashed his fangs. “May I finish talking?”

“Sure.”

“You were on top of me, touching me, and it turned into a nightmare.”

“This is just getting better and better. I’m sorry that’s traumatizing to you.”

He rolled, pinning her under him again. This time she couldn’t close her thighs—his hips pinned them open. He was careful to keep most of his weight off her and was aware of her bandages. He didn’t want to hurt her in any way.

“It was about that female who betrayed me. I trusted Galina. She tried to stick a blade in my heart after I learned she was the reason my brothers died. In the dream you became her and she actually killed me. I’d let my guard down for you and I died in the dream because of it.”

Kat’s expression showed sadness. “That’s rough.”

“It motivated me to keep you distanced. I thought I could ignore the emotions you stirred in me and they would fade if you weren’t a part of my life. They didn’t. You said it would happen and you were right. Distance isn’t going to make me want you any less. It just makes me miserable when you’re gone.”

Her hands massaged him through his shirt. “I can relate to that.”

“You almost died and all I could think about was how much I regretted sending you away. I wouldn’t have the chance to have you in my life again.” He swallowed against the lump in his throat. “What do you call it? It was a reality bitch-slap.”

Her lips curved and she smiled. “It was, huh?”

“Yes. I saw a future I didn’t want. You wouldn’t have been in it. It won’t be easy for me to change but I’m motivated to try. All I have to do is think about going to bed without you beside me and knowing you won’t be the first thing I see when I wake. It’s a bleak outlook. I want you in my life. You will make it a better place.”

“Damn.” She shifted her hands to his shoulders, curving them there. “Kiss me.”

“Are you going to live here with me, Kat?”

“I’m all in if you are. I’d have you shake on it but I really want that kiss. You have the best mouth. Have I ever told you that?”

“It’s been awhile. I might be bad at this.”

“I’m willing to risk it.” She grinned. “I’m willing to risk everything when it comes to you.”

“Me too.”

Darkness lowered his face, focusing all his attention on her mouth. He could remember some of the basics. He’d been taught how to kiss but it had been a really long time. It was important that he do it well for Kat.

She closed her eyes when their breaths mingled and her lips parted. He gently covered hers with his. They were soft and so Kat. He darted his tongue out, tracing the inner line of her full bottom lip. Her fingernails dug into his shirt urging him to continue. Her tongue met his and he growled, his control slipping. He took full possession of her mouth, kissing her deeply.

It all came back to him when she moaned, meeting his passion. He rolled, making sure they didn’t break the intimate connection. He tore at her shirt, careful not to get her skin with his fingernails. Material ripped and she shifted, helping him remove it from her body. She tugged, trying to destroy his shirt.

They rolled again once she was bare from the waist up. He helped her by using his nails to claw at his own shirt. She hooked her fingers inside the holes, stronger than she seemed when she shredded it apart. Her hands spread across his skin, almost frantically exploring every inch. He hooked the waist of her leggings, shoving them down her hips. He hit gauze and halted, afraid he’d hurt her.

Kat let him go and reached down, shoving at them herself. He rolled them again, almost right off the bed. He growled, breaking the kiss, and lifted up. “Damn. We should move to the floor.”

“Only if you’re on the bottom. Rug burn is a bitch.” She lifted her hips, getting her pants down, and kicked them away.

His allowed himself to admire the length of her beautiful body. He removed what was left of his shirt, tore off his boots and shucked the pants. Her bandaged wounds only served as a reminder of how close he’d come to never touching Kat again. “You’re mine,” he snarled, lunging at her.

She didn’t flinch or seem alarmed. Her arms opened and she wrapped them around his middle when he came down on top of her, her nails raking down his back. She spread her thighs wide to accept the girth of his hips. He ached to take her, to be inside Kat and know her warmth. The smell of her arousal was strong enough to know she was as ready to be taken as he was to take her. He wanted to kiss her again and went for her mouth. She twisted her head at the last second, preventing him from making contact.

“Stop!”

“What?”

She adjusted her hold on him and pushed against his chest. He lifted up a little and she turned her head to stare at him. “Condom. I’m not going to have you destroy our new bedroom walls or mess up your hands. You might have forgotten but I haven’t. Tell me you have some.”

“I do. They are in the nightstand drawer.”

“Get them.”

Darkness held her gaze. “No.” He adjusted his hips, brushing the tip of his dick against her pussy, finding the right spot. He pushed forward slowly, entering her. She tensed, her nails digging into his chest but a low moan broke from her lips.

“What are you doing?”

“Not allowing anything to get between us ever again.”

Her legs lifted and wrapped around the back of his thighs. She locked them, her thighs gripping his hips to hold him in place. “I could get pregnant.”

“I’m willing to risk it. You thought Salvation was cute, didn’t you?”

Kat appeared stunned and turned-on at the same time. “He’s adorable but what are you doing?”

“Proving that I’m serious about you and making our relationship last.” He shifted his hips, thrusting forward despite her attempts to keep him still. Her pussy gripped him as much as her legs did but he still managed to sink every inch of his dick inside her body. “I’m all in, sweetheart.” He nudged her face aside and nipped her throat. She moaned and caressed him. “Relax and enjoy this. It’s the first step in mating. I’m claiming you in every way.”

Kat eased her grip on him and lifted her legs higher, wrapping them around his ass. “You better not regret this. I’ll kill you. I remember what else you keep in your nightstand drawer.”

He nipped her again. “I’m certain. I love you, Kat. You won’t have a reason to shoot me.”

She twisted her head to look up at him. “Say that again.”

“I won’t give you a reason to shoot me.”

Her mouth opened and she didn’t hide her outrage. He chuckled.

“I love you, Kat.”

Tears filled her eyes. “I love you too. Now fuck me. Lose control.”

“That’s going to happen a lot. No more restraint.”

“Good.”

He let go of the past. Kat was his future. He started to move on top of her, being gentle. Her moans were music to his ears. He loved the way her hands glided across his skin, her nails raking down his spine. Her nipples hardened, rubbing against his chest. He braced one arm and lifted up just enough to reach between them, found her clit and rubbed. Her pussy clamped tighter around his shaft and he clenched his teeth, fighting the urge to come. He waited for her. Kat’s vaginal walls clenched and squeezed his shaft, milking him. He drove deep inside her, roaring out as he emptied his seed.

He rolled over onto his back, taking Kat with him so she lay on top of him. They were both panting and spent. He smiled, kept his eyes closed and didn’t stare up at the ceiling. He was focused on the female in his arms. Life was good.

Kat brushed a kiss next to his nipple. “Do you want to hit something?”

He chuckled. “Nope.”

“What if I do get pregnant? Are you going to freak?”

“Probably, but only because I’m not certain what kind of father I’d make.”

“A good one. I know that.”

“I trust you, Kat.”

He meant it.

Fury opened the front door and grinned. “It’s about time.”

Darkness gripped Kat’s arm, steering her inside the home. He glanced around the living room. Pictures adorned the walls and the smell of food tempted his appetite. It was a very domestic scene. Salvation sat in the middle of a pile of multicolored plastic toys. The boy waved.

“Hi!” Kat pulled away from Darkness and approached the boy. She just dropped down to her knees beside the mess and picked up a block. “What are you going to build?”

Fury closed the door and stepped next to him. He lowered his voice to a whisper. “Ellie is in the kitchen. She’s worried about overcooking her pot roast so it is too dry. I told her it would be fine. You will like her food.”

Darkness stared into the male’s eyes and kept the same low tone. “Can she cook?”

“Better than we can.” Amusement lightened his features. “She teaches the females. She’s just nervous because you’ve finally agreed to have dinner with us. She knows it matters a lot to me.” He looked at Kat. “Does your female cook?”

“We often eat at the bar.”

His brother laughed. “Understood. Get comfortable.”

Darkness crossed the room and took a seat on the couch. Kat was playing with Salvation, using blocks to form some sort of structure. He enjoyed seeing her interact with a Species young. She still considered the boy a baby at the age of three but she’d learn if he wanted to show off his physical prowess by playing rough with her. He wouldn’t allow it to happen. She could get hurt.

Fury sat in a chair a few feet away. “You look happy.”

“He is.” Kat turned her head. “When he isn’t trying to pretend otherwise. You know how he can get.”

“I do.” Fury relaxed in the chair. “How are you adjusting to Homeland, Kat?”

“I’m loving it. I start teaching classes next week.”

“I didn’t want her working Security,” Darkness confided.

“He’s afraid I’ll blow shit up.” She winced, glancing at Salvation. “Sorry. Stuff. Shit is a bad word.”

“He’s heard way worse.” Ellie walked out of the kitchen. “Don’t worry about it. My son could probably teach you some you’ve never heard before. We don’t sweat a few occasional slips. It’s when people start combining them that we draw the line.” She pointed at Salvation. “Don’t give her an example.”

Salvation giggled. “Darn.”

Ellie winked at him and moved behind Fury’s chair. She bent, coming up with a gift bag. “We have a present for you both.”

Darkness tried to hide his surprise. “Is a gift exchange expected?”

“No.” Fury pulled Ellie onto his lap. “My mate just wanted to do something to show how happy we are for both of you.”

Kat climbed to her feet and took a seat next to Darkness on the couch. “That’s so sweet.”

“It’s nothing major but it’s becoming a kind of tradition around here.” Ellie leaned forward and passed the bag to Darkness. “Careful. It’s breakable.”

Darkness handed it to Kat. “You reach inside.” He was afraid he might damage the gift if it were fragile. He watched her face, liking the joy she expressed.

Kat opened the bag and removed a glass frame. Darkness leaned in, pressing his body against her smaller one. He enjoyed touching Kat and found any reason to do it. It wasn’t a photo inside the frame but a copy of their signed mate papers. Kat turned her face and lifted her chin. Tears glimmered in her eyes.

“Look.” She held it as if it were precious. “How cool is this?” She shifted her attention to Ellie and Fury. “Thank you!”

“We keep ours over our bed.” Fury pointedly stared at Darkness. “Just glue it to the wall. We learned the hard way that it can fall down if the headboard bangs too much.”

Ellie blushed. “Too much info. They could have figured that out themselves without you mentioning it.”

“I’m his brother. It’s my job to help him avoid making the mistakes I have.” Fury snorted. “We went through three frames before I made sure it couldn’t fall.” He nodded at Darkness. “Use super glue. Just plaster the entire back of it directly to the wall.”

Ellie wiggled off his lap. “I think the roast should be done. Ready to eat?”

“Do you need help?” Kat rose to follow and placed the framed document down. “I suck at cooking but I follow directions well.”

Ellie’s eyes widened. “Do you want to learn? I give cooking classes at the women’s dorm.”

“That would be great. My classes are going to be held at the bar.”

“What are you going to teach?”

Kat flashed a playful look at Darkness. “According to him, it’s to reiterate how all humans are criminals.” She laughed. “Human nature. It seems a lot of New Species are curious about us. I’ll give Security some tips but I want them to be able to ask me anything they want.”

“Not everything,” Darkness reminded her. “The males better watch what they ask.”

Kat arched an eyebrow. “No one is going to hit on me. They are too afraid of you. I don’t tell you how to do your job. Ditto, baby.”

Ellie grabbed her hand. “Come with me. He’s going to start snarling. Did he warn you about how possessive a mate can be?”

“No need. I caught on fast.”

Darkness watched the females enter the kitchen. He stared at the frame Kat had placed on the table. It was proof that he’d taken every step with his female. They were mated and not using condoms. She could get pregnant. He studied Salvation. The young male was content with his blocks.

“This life might be yours soon,” Fury rasped. “It’s fantastic having a mate and a child.”

Darkness stared at his brother. “I still don’t know if I’m going to be good at it.”

“Is making Kat happy your first priority?”

“Yes.” He could answer that without hesitation or thought.

“Do you love her?”

He nodded. “With everything that I am.”

Fury leaned forward. “You have a family. You’re never going to be alone again. It is a good thing, isn’t it?”

Darkness contemplated his life before and after Kat. He also felt grateful he’d finally allowed Fury into his life. “Yes.”

“You’ll do great then.” Fury stood. “Let’s go eat. You know this is going to become a regular event, right? We want you over at least once a week to share a meal and Ellie celebrates human holidays. Deal with it. I do. It’s not so bad.” He scooped his son off the floor and tossed him at Darkness. “Catch.”

Darkness was amazed that the boy laughed. He hugged him close, cradling him against his chest. “You throw him at people?”

“He likes it. I knew you wouldn’t drop him. Tell him, Sal.”

The boy beamed. “I love it, Uncle Darkness. It’s fun!”

Something inside Darkness’ chest melted. The trust the boy showed, the way he relaxed against him, felt right. He suddenly wasn’t so afraid of the concept of having young of his own.

“It’s not so alarming, is it?” Fury regarded him. “I can see it in your eyes. Tomorrow Sal and I are going to the park. Meet us there at seven in the morning. You’ll need some practice before it happens. I had none.” He laughed. “It worked out but I’m going to give you an advantage for when your time comes. What do you say?”

“I’ll be there.”

Fury opened his arms. “Do you want to toss him back?”

His hold tightened on the boy. “I think I’ll carry him into your dining room.”

Fury winked. “Good. You know your mate is going to see you with him and all bets are off if you have talked her into waiting to have babies. We make adorable offspring.”

Darkness was willing to risk it.