He tensed a little until he realized she was cleaning him with it. His body relaxed. “You are tending to me.”

“Yes.” She could stare into his eyes endlessly.

“You look pretty comfy right where you are.” She tossed the towel toward the bathroom when she was done, happy she hit the tile floor with her aim. “It’s got to be past the time you usually go to bed. Tired?” She stretched out naked next to him.

He rolled to his side to face her. “I liked that.”

“I know. So did I.”

He glanced down her body. “You were aroused.” His nostrils flared as he sniffed. “I want to tend to you.”

“Why don’t we get some sleep first?” She was tired. It had been a long, emotionally draining day between dealing with the stress of her possible future and the argument she’d had with him earlier.

“I could use a few hours sleep.”

He used his arm to brace his head to peer down at her. “You don’t want me to mount you?”

“I do. Just give me a few hours rest.”

“You’re human.”

She wanted to flinch. He said it as though it were a bad thing, from the brusque tone he used.

She wondered if he regretted coming to her house. “I am.”

A smile suddenly changed his features into downright handsome. “I enjoy our differences.”

He shifted to lie on his back and glanced at her.

“Curl into me tight.”

She wiggled closer and hooked her leg over his, one hand on his chest, and lifted her head when he adjusted his arm to pillow her. His warmth was welcome and she remembered the light was still on.

“One of us should turn that off.”

His hand rested over the top of hers, pinning it over his heart. “Later. I just want to hold you.”

Her eyes closed as she yawned. “That’s a good thing about being a doctor. I can sleep anywhere, at any time, under any circumstances. I just thought it would bother you.”

“I have all I need.”

She smiled against his skin. “Me too.” She’d worry about tomorrow when it came. Right at that moment they were together and it was all that mattered.

Chapter Fifteen

Alli watched Obsidian eat breakfast, amused.

He sniffed at the sausage and his tongue darted out to lick it before cautiously taking a nibble. His dark gaze fixed on her while he chewed after finally taking a bite.

“I told you it was safe to eat.”

“They didn’t bring this on a tray.”

“I cooked it.”

Eyebrows arched while he studied her. “How?”

Her thumb jerked in the direction of the stove.

“On the stovetop. It heats and cooks food.”

He rose slowly to his feet. “Teach me now.”

She sipped her coffee but didn’t budge. “It’s not that simple.”

He settled back in his chair, watching her as though she might start pulling rabbits from a hat or something. She grinned while holding his stare.

“It’s not magical or anything. It’s basic living skills. I’ll let you watch me fix lunch in a few hours. That’s how I learned. My mom taught me.”

She studied his handsome features. He looked well rested. His hair was still wet. Her hand reached up to push back her own wet strands.

They’d woken, made love and she’d gotten out of the shower first to make scrambled eggs, sausage and toast for them to share.

“What was that like?”

“Learning how to cook? Kind of boring, actually. I didn’t really want to but she insisted I should have those skills. I’m glad I do now.”

“What was it like having a mother?”

Her humor fled quickly. It reminded her of his upbringing in a cold setting by Mercile Industries. “My parents were terrific. They remained together until I was in my teens before they got divorced.”

“What is that?”

“They decided they’d grown apart over the years and stopped living together. Both of them met great people though and remarried. I get along great with my stepparents.”

A look of horror wrinkled his face. “They stopped living together and are with other mates?”

“Yes.”

A low growl rumbled from him. “That’s wrong. Mates are forever.”

She took a deep breath. “Humans tend to get divorced often. Fifty years ago not so much but these are modern times. People grow apart and they leave if they are unhappy to be with someone else who makes their lives better.”

“You aren’t leaving me. You’re happy.”

She was stunned.

“I’ll kill any male who attempts to lure you away.”

She decided against being disturbed by the threat, knowing he wasn’t exactly like other men.

Alarm bells would normally be going off inside her head if anyone said that to her. “I’m not your mate,” she gently reminded him.

Dark eyes narrowed and another gruff growl burst from his slightly parted lips. “You’re mine.”

It was time to change the subject. “What do you want to do today?” She glanced around.

“There’s so much for you to learn. I know you have the television remote control down pat but I could teach you how to use the other stuff in my house.”

“Why?”

“You’ll be assigned to the men’s dorm at some point. They’ll have someone teach you basics but we could get a jump on it. You should learn how to use a vacuum, a mop, and how to do laundry.

Otherwise you’re going to have one messy home with no clean clothes to wear.”

“Is it important to you?”

“That you don’t live in a pig sty? Sure.” She set down her coffee. “You want to be self-sufficient so you aren’t dependent upon others.”

“I know that term. I have you.”

“I’m not going to be your maid.” She laughed as she left her chair and stepped into the living room. The humor died quickly though when she remembered she wouldn’t be around to do those things for him even if she wanted. “You need to learn how to care for yourself.”

“What is a maid?” He followed, stalking her with a grace that reminded her of a cat. His bare chest was impressive and he wore the only clothes he had—the sweatpants from the day before.

“It’s someone you pay to do your housework.

They clean, sometimes cook your meals and wash your clothes if that’s a service they provide.

I had one before I moved here. I worked so many hours it was the only way anything got done. She even ran errands for me.”

“What are those?” He tracked her until she found herself backed into a corner.

“Errands? Um, buying food and taking some of my stuff where I needed it to go. I don’t think you have to worry about dry cleaning here at Homeland though. I know I’ve nearly forgotten what it’s like to have neatly pressed clothes.”

He stared down at her and sniffed.

“What are you doing?”

“You smell of food again.”

“So do you. You used my shampoo and conditioner. It’s scented with vanilla and coconut.”

“I’m hungry.”

“You just ate all my eggs, sausages, and had six pieces of toast. I have to order more groceries.

I could make you a sandwich or five. You sure have a big appetite.”

He surprised her when he dropped to his knees and gripped the waist of the nightshirt that fell to her knees. “For you.”

Alli’s heart rate accelerated as he nuzzled her belly. Firm hands slid down to grip the hem of her shirt and push it up. He made a sound of displeasure when he discovered her pink panties.

“I don’t like these. They are in my way.” He glanced up. “Stop putting on needless clothing.”

“People wear them.”

“You won’t.” One hand flattened to hold her shirt up while he hooked the fingers of his other hand at the waist of her panties, just giving them one rough jerk. Material tore.

“Those were expensive.”

He didn’t look impressed as he tossed them behind him. She watched them land on the coffee table. “They aren’t made well.”

“Silk isn’t much of a match against someone as strong as you.”

He gripped her inner thigh, lifted it and nearly knocked her off balance. Her hands opened on the walls in the corner to stay upright. He hooked the curve of her knee over one shoulder and dipped his head to brush his mouth over her bellybutton while kissing lower.