“This way,” a male snarled. “Keep coming. We have you covered.”

Vanni’s arms wrapped around his neck and her legs spread, hugging his hips. Her fingernails dug into his shirt but he didn’t care if she scratched him. She was probably terrified. He peeked again and realized the smoke was clearing as they left the affected area. He saw the gate and a line of masked NSO officers with guns drawn, waiting for them. Two rushed forward and grabbed members of his team, leading them inside.

The gates closed and Smiley sucked in air to his starved lungs. “It’s okay,” he whispered to Vanni. “You won’t choke.”

She gasped and coughed a little. He hugged her tighter and kept walking to put more distance between them and the smoke. He looked around, appreciating the dozens of Species who’d rushed to the second gate to help. He nodded at a few of them. He blinked rapidly to clear the irritant from his eyes.

“Are you okay?”

Vanni nodded against his neck. She kept her face buried there. He stopped and just held her. He’d made a mistake by taking her away from Homeland. Luckily she hadn’t been harmed but the trauma of what she’d just experienced might sour her on becoming his mate. It pissed him off that everything had gone so badly. He tried to push that anger back though, wanting to soothe her.

“Well, we sure know how to make an entrance.”

Vanni lifted her head and peered at him. Her pretty eyes looked haunted but she smiled. “Is that what you call that?”

“They didn’t manage to flip the SUV and we’re safe at Homeland.”

“Why would they do that?”

He hesitated. He didn’t want to give her more bad news. “I don’t know. Maybe they think it’s fun to rush a stranded SUV and turn it on its side. It happened once before. They took videos and posted them as if it were a prank. The team inside the SUV didn’t think it was funny.”

A Jeep came hauling ass around a corner and he spotted Tim O’berto in the driver’s seat. He advanced when the male hit the brakes and jumped out, leaving the engine running.

“Is she okay? Hurt?”

“She’s fine.”

Tim looked relieved. “I should have agreed to the chopper.”

“I shouldn’t have agreed to let her leave Homeland,” Smiley responded. He stepped around Tim and walked to the passenger side of the Jeep. “Get in, Vanni. We’re going home.”

Vanni slid down his front and he helped her climb inside. He rounded the vehicle and climbed into the driver’s seat. “I’m taking Vanni home.”

“That’s my Jeep.” Tim scowled.

“Get another and have Vanni’s new things sent to her home.” Smiley threw the Jeep in reverse and backed up slowly since Vanni hadn’t put on a seatbelt. He stopped, shifted gears and pushed the gas pedal. He just wanted to get her home and safe. She wouldn’t be leaving Homeland again.

Vanni was still a bit shaken when Smiley escorted her into the house. He closed and locked the door, leaning against it. His grim expression told her he didn’t take what had happened as lightly as he’d implied. She kicked off the high heels, happy to be out of them.

“No more shopping,” he announced.

“I don’t really like it anyway. I buy a lot of my clothes online.”

He blinked a few times and took a deep breath. “I’m sorry.”

“For what?”

“I shouldn’t have agreed to that outing. I didn’t think you’d be in danger. I failed you.”

He was more than a little upset. He seemed to blame himself and she refused to let him. “That wasn’t your fault. I’ve come to the conclusion that people are assholes and idiots. You got me back safe and sound.” She lifted her arms and glanced down. “In one piece.” Her chin rose and she smiled at him. “I’m okay. It was scary there for a few minutes but we’ll laugh about this later.”

He pushed away from the door and stalked toward her, stopping just inches away. “I will never find that funny. They could have flipped the SUV.”

“They didn’t.”

“They could have.”

She liked the way he looked at her. His beautiful eyes showed worry and concern, all of it directed at her. She reached out and placed her hand against his chest. “I’m okay. I’m more worried about you right now.”

His gaze widened. “Why?”

“You’re more upset about what happened than I am.”

“I made a mistake.”

Her heart rate increased. It sounded as if he was about to dump her. She wasn’t even sure that was possible since they didn’t exactly have a relationship. “About what?”

“I never should have agreed to take you shopping. I don’t care what the out world thinks of me. I know it was for the NSO and to prove the Woods Church statements to be untrue but it wasn’t worth risking your life. I won’t agree to put you in any kind of danger again.”

“I was the one who agreed to go shopping.”

“You’re mine to protect. I could have overruled the decision.”

That surprised her. “What does that mean?”

“You’re my responsibility to care for.”

A horrible thought struck and she stopped touching him. “Is that why you’re with me? You feel responsible?”

“No.” He frowned.

“It’s not your fault that we were drugged. You were their target but Gregory and his messed-up followers did this to both of us.”

“I’m aware.” She stumbled back a step and almost tripped on her discarded shoes. She righted herself before Smiley could reach out and help her, putting up her hands, waving him off. It hurt to think he might only be spending time with her out of some sense of duty. Her gaze locked with his.

“Do you even like me or is this about guilt?”

His lips parted and he looked surprised by her question.

“Seriously. Just tell me the truth.”

He advanced. “I want you. This isn’t about guilt. We have a bond.”

“One that was forged because we went through a traumatic event together.”

“It’s more than that. I feel things with you.”

That helped ease her hurt. “I don’t want you here if it’s just because you think you owe me something.”

“I want to spend time with you.” He frowned. “I was attracted to you before the drugs. I’m still attracted to you.”

The tightness in her chest eased. “Okay.”

Smiley wrapped his fingers around the curve of her hips, holding on to her. “How could you even question my attraction?”

“I don’t know.”

“You do know or you wouldn’t have said something like that. Look at me.”

She hated seeing the way he gazed at her in that moment, as if she’d hurt his feelings. It made her regret the rash assumption. “My track record with men isn’t that great.”

“You’re sweet, Vanni. You make me laugh and you drive me a little crazy.”

“I know it’s a bit annoying that I’m not more outgoing.”

“You don’t annoy me.”

“You just said I drive you crazy.”

He smiled and the pained look in his gaze vanished. “It’s because I’m so worried I’ll say or do something that will drive you away. I don’t want that. We’re from dissimilar backgrounds and I’m worried those differences will make you want to leave. I need you to stay.”

“You do?”

“Very much so.” He released her hip with one hand and cupped her face, dipping his head until his mouth hovered just inches from her lips. “I also would never call what we experienced traumatic. It brought us together. I can’t regret that.”

“Me neither,” she admitted.

He caressed her cheek. “Let me take you to bed. I want to prove to you how strongly I feel. I’m not good with words but I can show you.” His fingertips trailed from her cheek to her neck. “Say yes.”

She was tempted. “Do you understand that I don’t typically rush into a sexual relationship?”

“I do. What we share is special.”

She wanted to believe that. “I don’t know what you expect or want from me. Is it just sex?” She needed to express her concerns. “I don’t want to be used. That’s how I’ll feel later if you just walk away. I don’t do casual sex.”

Smiley softly groaned. “I’d frighten you if you knew how serious my feelings are.”