“It’s not proper. I mean, we’re not dating.

Strangers don’t just share a bed. I only slept with you because it was cold and—”

“You wanted to save me.” His voice deepened again. “Are you lying about that? You are a healer?”

“I’m a doctor. I—”

“You will stay with me. You will sleep here at my side and you will touch me. I am depressed but not when you stroke my chest.” He looked away to glance at the bed.

Panic struck. No way could she share a bed with a fully recovering New Species. He wasn’t a child as his body fully stated with the hard press of his cock under her. He was an adult male who had molested her.

“They won’t allow it,” she bluffed, pretty sure that would be true.

“They will because I said so.” He reached out and fisted the blankets, dragging them down the mattress closer to them. “Remove your shoes and get in my bed.”

“No.” She squirmed to get up but his arm only tightened.

A soft growl rumbled against her ear as he pressed his mouth against it.

“Keep rubbing my dick that way and I will mount you.”

She ceased struggling.

“You may keep your clothing on for now.”

Her eyes widened. For now? Oh shit. The idea that Destiny might have been right and 880 wanted to engage in sexual intercourse with her sent her heart into overdrive as fear hit.

880 sniffed at her. “Easy,” he rasped. “Don’t fight me and you won’t be harmed. I have no wish to hurt you.” He paused. “I need you right now.”

Her eyes closed and dread pitted inside her stomach. Had he grown addicted to her scent?

How was that possible? New Species only scent imprinted when they took a mate. An emotional bond formed first, before they wanted to take one.

880 could smell the human’s fear. It was an appealing, sweet scent that made his dick harder.

She wasn’t for mounting but his body had other ideas. Alli would break under him if he took her.

His arm anchored around her soft, small waist assured him of that. Her back was narrower by far than the width of his chest. Her weight on him was slight compared to his mate’s. The thought of 46 saddened him.

He’d never see her glare again or hear her soft snarls. He’d known she hadn’t always enjoyed being his mate but he’d tried to make her happy.

The only time she’d wanted his touch had been when she needed him. It seemed no female was attracted to him unless they were going into heat.

He sniffed Alli, certain the female wasn’t even close to that time.

Regret filled him that the human wouldn’t turn to him in her time of need. It wouldn’t be a good idea. He didn’t want to cause her injury now that he had her in his arms. He couldn’t even stay angry. She was too afraid of him to trigger his rage.

The tone of the voices down the hallway changed. The words were lost but one of the males began to snarl. He could guess that Destiny was the source. It was obvious the male wanted to mount Alli and didn’t like her near him. It wasn’t going to happen. The other male would die if he attempted to take the human from his room.

880 turned his face and brushed his nose through Alli’s hair. She smelled of wonderful things and of food. Perhaps that was how humans drew attention from the opposite sex. She’d said she had no male and he didn’t pick up the stench of one. It made sense that she’d try to lure one by making him sniff at her when they were hungry.

Time was running out and he knew it. The males would come and check on Alli if she didn’t leave his room soon. He leaned in and liked the way she shivered when he breathed on her neck.

“I need you,” he admitted. “I know nothing here but you.” That was true. The males had tried to be nice but he didn’t connect with them. Her scent made him feel aroused but not detached.

“Stay with me.” Females enjoyed being asked instead of told. 46 had taught him that. He used a softer tone. “I will recover faster.”

She turned her head and her eyes widened. His admission obviously surprised her and her lips parted. “No one here will hurt you, 880. You’re New Species and they consider you family.”

“I have none. I am alone now.” 46 had been the only constant in his life and he’d lost her. “Stay with me.”

Indecision wavered on her delicate features as she chewed her bottom lip and he began to see a pattern. She did that when she was unsure of what to do.

“I need you and you are a healer. You took risks to try to wake me when they didn’t. You must stay here. You feel protective of me, don’t you? Is that why you stole me?”

He knew he’d be fine without her and doubted his people would do him harm but it worked when she nodded timidly. He wasn’t above using her job to keep her where he wanted.

“Okay. Just for a little while.”

“No. You will sleep with me until I am fully recovered.”

“You seem to be.” She hesitated. “You’re up and about. You’ve put on weight and I know you went outside.”

“They wish to keep me inside this room.” Irritation sounded in his voice. “They fear I will harm someone. Humans.” He decided to be honest. “I won’t harm you and they will be assured the ones they care about will be safe when they see you here.”

She seemed to think about that for a long time before she spoke. “I’ll stay but I can’t share a bed with you. Everyone will get the wrong impression.”

“What does that mean?”

Her cheeks turned pink and her gaze dropped to his throat. “They will think we’re having sex.”

“I don’t care what they assume.”

Her gaze lifted. “I do. I work here. Or I did.”

Anger stirred instantly. “This would cause you shame to have them believe I touch you?” A growl tore from his throat. “This is your idea that we are equal? I was told humans here don’t look down on us.” His hold around her waist tightened. “You—”

“Stop it,” she hissed, interrupting his anger.

“It’s not because you’re New Species. I wouldn’t flaunt a relationship with anyone but especially not someone I’ve treated. You just don’t understand. It has nothing to do with our differences.”

880 searched her steady gaze but couldn’t detect deception. “Explain it.”

“It’s unprofessional. You’re not technically my patient anymore but you were. Doctors lose their licenses if they have sex with people under their care. It’s unethical and just not done for the most part. I hate the ones who have. I don’t want anyone to think I may have taken advantage of you and they would.”

He lifted her off his lap and allowed her to move out of the circle of his arms. His body tensed in case she tried to flee but she wouldn’t make it to the door. He’d catch her first. Alli slowly turned around but stayed close. He rose to his full height and stared down at her. She was small and weak, not a threat. He laughed.

“What’s so funny?” Her arms crossed over her chest.

“Who would believe you could force me to do something against my will? That’s what you meant. ‘Take advantage of’ means force.”

“It means you’re emotionally vulnerable right now and someone could easily manipulate you.”

Her focus shifted to his arms before meeting his gaze again.

All humor vanished. “It wouldn’t happen. I am in control and you couldn’t make me do anything.

Let them worry about how I might manipulate you. I know that word.” He glanced down her body. “It would be easy.”

Her mouth parted but she didn’t bite her lip.

He studied her face closely and finally identified a little fear. He could live with that if it kept her from attempting to flee his room. He pointed to the bed.

“Sit. I will tell them you are staying with me.”

“I should g—” He stepped closer and nearly bumped into her.

“Sit,” he growled.

She paled and scooted around him, perching meekly on his bed. He smiled. “That is manipulation.”

Anger narrowed her eyes and he turned away to hide a smile. He liked that she had some spirit.