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“You’re not in danger if you leave my cage?”
“No. You’re safe here. I promise.”
Joy had chosen to abandon him. He had pride. “Get out, Joy. Go.” He saw surprise in her eyes. “Get off my lap. Don’t touch me again. I don’t want your pity.”
“466,” she whispered, reaching for his face again.
He reacted by rolling, dumping her gently on the concrete floor, and scooted away until he could climb to his feet. He backed up to the wall of the cage, watching her, as he fought his emotions. Pain and anger were evenly matched.
“Get someone else to tell me what has happened. I don’t trust you anymore.”
Joy wiped at her tears as she watched 466 put as much distance between them as possible. Telling him so much had been a mistake. She hadn’t wanted to lie to him or risk him trying to escape, believing they were both in danger from Mercile. She’d forgotten how protective he was until he’d kicked the cell door closed in an attempt to protect her. The key to his shackles was out of his reach where she’d tossed it but he could take the door key if he wanted. It was inside her pocket where she’d slipped it after stepping into his cell.
“Please, 466.” She wasn’t above begging. Guilt was something she’d lived with since the day she’d packed her bags and driven away from that motel in the desert. “Listen to me.”
“No.” He curled his upper lip to reveal his sharp canines. “Get out. I am not yours anymore. Is my name really Moon? I chose that?”
“Yes.”
“Stop calling me a number then.” He glared at her and growled in a menacing way. “I told you I’d never take a human name.”
The professional part of her was happy to see that he seemed coherent and retained the information she’d given him. He had every right to be furious and reject her help after she’d betrayed his trust. It hurt that he wanted her to go. A selfish part of her was tempted to leave him for a few hours in hope that he’d forget what she’d said so they could start over again. Lesson learned. He hates me now that he understands some of what happened between us.
“Moon, I’m not leaving you. We need to figure out what is going on so I can help.”
“I don’t want you near me.”
Don’t cry again. Her feelings didn’t matter. “You aren’t lucid often but you are right now. Are you in any physical pain? Does anything hurt? Are you suffering a headache? Nausea?” She wasn’t a medical doctor but she was pretty sure they’d want to know that to gauge the effects of the drug. “It’s important.”
He crossed his arms over his chest, glanced down at the chains, and anger wrinkled his nose. “My body is fine.”
“Any weakness in any of your limbs?”
“No. The bands aren’t comfortable but I’ve lived with worse.”
“Any numbness in your fingers? Toes?”
He flexed his hands. “No.”
She was relieved to hear it. It wasn’t a drug designed to target his pain centers to drive him insane. “What about your emotions? Do you feel off? Are you having a hard time focusing or following our conversation now? How is your eyesight? Your hearing? Any buzzing in your ears or can you hear your own heartbeat?”
“Get out, Joy.”
“Damn it, Moon. Please answer me before I leave.”
“I feel normal.”
And very angry but she didn’t attribute that to any physical symptoms. “When you first saw me, you didn’t know who I was. Did it just come back to you? Was it fast as if you suddenly knew or was it slower?”
He leaned back against the bars and his chin lifted as he continued to regard her with that grim expression. “You were familiar but I didn’t know why. I focused on a memory and it got stronger until I knew you.”
“Do you remember being at Mercile?”
“Yes.”
“Do you remember being freed?”
“Yes.”
“Do you remember Homeland now?”
Some of the tension left his face as he searched his memory. “No.”
“What is the last thing you do remember?”
“Being in your office and wanting you to sit on my lap.”
She slowly got to her feet. “Try to focus on when I left.”
The anger returned. “I don’t have to. You told me what happened.”
“Try. I am here to help you. Let me.”
“Get my new therapist.”
“There isn’t one.” She remembered what had been said about Dr. Kregkor and shuddered. No way did she want someone New Species talked about that way anywhere near Moon. “Don’t you want out of this cell? Out of those chains?”
“You know I do.”
“Talk to me then. Answer my questions and let’s figure this out. Please.”
He closed his eyes and his expression cleared. She wondered if he planned to ignore her or if he was attempting to do as she asked. A few prompts might help.
“One day I was there and the next day you probably were told I was gone. I left late at night after bed check.”
His eyes snapped open and a snarl erupted. “I went to your office but the guard said you weren’t in it. I thought you were running late but she said you no longer worked there. I believed you were fired but then the human said you’d quit.”
“That’s good.” It showed he could fix on a point in time and force the memories to surface.
“There was nothing good about it.” His arms uncrossed and his hands fisted at his sides. “You didn’t even say goodbye.”
“I meant that it’s encouraging that you are able to remember if you focus on a point in time.”
“You owed me more than to leave without speaking to me first.” He pushed away from the wall, taking a step closer. “How could you do that?”
“I had no choice.”
“They lied to me? You were removed by force?”
“No.” It was tempting to lie to defuse his anger but she wouldn’t stoop that low. “The attraction between us was growing stronger and I knew I couldn’t resist you anymore. That’s why I had to leave.”
He took another step closer and paused. “You were ashamed that you wanted me? An animal half-breed?”
“No!” A smart person would continue this discussion from the other side of the bars but Joy ignored that reasoning. Moon could be frightening, intimidating. He might snarl and flash those dangerous teeth of his but she’d bet her life—was, in fact—that he wouldn’t harm her. “Of course not. I explained this dozens of times. I was your doctor and it wasn’t right if we had a physical relationship.”
“You said it would be taking advantage of me.” He took another long stride and paused inches from her, making her tilt her head back to keep eye contact. “Do I look weak?”
“No. It was your emotional state I was referring to. Do you remember that?”
He moved fast and she flinched without meaning to when one of his large hands suddenly gripped her jaw, holding her head still. She instinctively clutched his arm, avoiding the shackle at his wrist. She didn’t struggle or try to jerk free. His hold wasn’t painful but it was firm.
“They would have found out even if I was willing to toss my ethics aside. I would have been fired and promptly removed. They probably would have had to file criminal charges against me just to safeguard the location.”
“Moon,” he rasped, bending a little so their faces were closer. “You don’t know me as that name, do you? I can hear it when you speak. You easily say 466 but hesitate before you say Moon. You never saw me after I left site four. Did I recently pick this name?”
“I don’t know exactly when you took it.”
“How long has it been since you left me?”
“I’d rather not answer that. I think you’ve had enough shocks for one day.” Plus, he had a good grip on her face. She wasn’t totally stupid, despite some of her questionable choices when it came to him.
“Weeks?”
She remained silent.
His eyes narrowed. “Mon
ths?”
“Moon, I really—”
“A year?” He spoke over her, almost nose to nose with her, staring intently into her eyes. He snarled. “More than a year. I can read you.” He released her, backing away so fast he almost tripped on one of the chains but righted before he fell. A snarl tore from him and he spun, facing her. “Get out!”
Joy hated how tears filled her eyes again. She wasn’t prone to them unless it involved Moon. “Okay.” She backed up. “I’ll leave.”
He suddenly lunged forward and fear jolted through her as strong hands gripped her waist. Her feet left the floor and her back slammed into the bars. It didn’t hurt but it was sharp enough to knock the breath from her lungs. Moon pinned her with his body so they were face level. His chest and thighs were plastered against hers to keep her exactly where he wanted.
“Why?”
“I had to…before we ended up having sex. They wouldn’t have allowed us to be together. I did it for you more than myself. I swear. I was afraid you’d attack someone out of retaliation and end up getting hurt. That was the last thing I wanted.”
He leaned in until his hot breath fanned her lips. “No. Why are you here now? I want the truth. Don’t look away from me.”
“You were in trouble and I thought you needed me.”
“I needed you before.”
It was torture being so close to him. Every breath he took made her aware that he wasn’t wearing a shirt and his body heat transferred to hers through the thin material she wore. Her hands trembled when she lifted them and gripped the top of his shoulders. Firm, thick muscles bunched under her fingertips.
“Not a day went by,” she admitted, “that I didn’t regret leaving. I thought about you all the time. I wished things could have been different. I came as soon as Homeland called. I wanted to see you again.”
He softly growled, his chest vibrating against hers. “You said this isn’t site four. My people guard this place and make the rules? Is that correct?”
“Yes.”
He glanced away, his gaze sweeping the basement. “Where are they?”
“Upstairs. Seeing them upset you more.”
“We are alone here?”
“Yes.”
“My people here know me?”
“Yes. Everyone at Homeland really cares about you. Your best friend especially.”
Confusion clouded his features.
“Do you want to know his name?” She wondered if hearing Harley’s name would help him remember.
“My people called you to help me?”
“Yes.”
“Good enough.”
She didn’t know what that meant and opened her mouth to ask him but gasped instead when he pressed against her tighter, almost crushing her against the bars, and his hands slid higher until his thumbs rested under her breasts. His fingers tightened their hold on her ribs.
“Then they would know what I’d do to you.”
He spun without warning, yanking her away from the bars, and moved fast. Joy was too stunned to react until he twisted her around in his hold and flung her. She felt terror as she fell but didn’t slam into the unforgiving floor. Instead a soft mattress caught her weight as she landed on her stomach. The bed dipped to her right as she sucked in air. Chains rattled.
She looked over her shoulder, her heart racing, and was shocked as she watched Moon straddle her thighs. One hand flattened on the middle of her back to keep her in place while his other one reached for the waistband of her skirt. The zipper was loud as he yanked it down.
“What are you doing?”
Air touched her spine and then fingers slid against her underwear. He yanked hard, lifting his weight up at the same time, and her skirt was jerked down her hips to her upper thighs where the material bunched. She tried to turn but couldn’t when his knees trapped her in place.
Moon released her skirt and crouched over her. His hand flattened on the mattress next to her shoulders as he leaned in until their faces were close together to balance his weight.
“I’m trying to avoid ripping your clothes from your body but they are coming off. You can help by rolling over or I’ll shred them.”
All the warnings she’d received flashed through her mind as his words sank in but she wasn’t afraid of him. She was ready for this. She even wanted it. She’d wanted it far too long.
The hand on her back slid down to cup one of her butt cheeks, giving it a good squeeze. The rough feel of his calluses was very noticeable with so much skin revealed by her bikini-cut panties. “Your ass is mine now, sweetness. Anyone who knows me would know how much I want you.” He studied her eyes as his hand massaged her ass where he gripped it. “And they sent you to me.” He lowered his gaze to her mouth, fixating on it. “Say it.”
She had to swallow to find her voice. “What do you want me to say?” Her pulse quickened as she relaxed her tense muscles under him.
His eyebrows arched as he met her stare again. “You have no excuses? No words of rejection?”
She very slowly braced her arms and began to turn over. It was difficult with his body restricting hers but his grip on her ass eased and Moon allowed it. She rolled onto her back, not breaking eye contact. She reached up, hands trembling, and cupped his face.
Surprise showed when his eyes widened as she tugged gently to pull him closer. She tilted her chin slightly and licked her lips.
“Kiss me.”
He sucked in air and another soft growl rumbled from him. “I’m going to do everything to you.”
Chapter Seven
Excitement and a little nervousness shot through Joy as she closed her eyes and Moon’s mouth lightly brushed hers. He was surprisingly tender. It was more of a tease than a kiss as he pulled back. She peeked at him to find him hovering above her. The dark intensity of his look made her feel hot all over.
“Take off your clothes. All of them.” Moon lifted up and carefully got to his feet. “Now.”
It took her a second to get her mind to work. She sat up and reached for the bottom of her shirt but hesitated. She’d fantasized about this moment for so long. Her hands shook when she tugged it up. Her cheeks warmed, knowing he watched her, and she hoped he wouldn’t be disappointed when he got what he wanted. Other unanswered questions plagued her. He was used to Species females. Their bodies were firm and toned. Hers wasn’t. Had he ever slept with a human? She wanted to ask but knew he probably couldn’t give her an answer.
Another part of her suffered guilt. Her training screamed how wrong it was to proceed when his mental acuity was so obviously compromised. What if he had a girlfriend he couldn’t remember? Would he hate her later? Would he feel she’d taken advantage of him? Speak now, she demanded, her conscience not allowing for anything else.
“Moon?”
“Take off your clothes.” His voice deepened, almost inhuman.
“You are missing big chucks of your memory. There could be someone special in your life that you have feelings for. No one mentioned you having a girlfriend but that doesn’t mean you aren’t at least interested in someone. I know so little about your current circumstances but you would never willingly cheat on a woman. This might fall under that.”
He stepped forward and grabbed the shirt she’d removed but still clutched in front of her. He jerked it out of her hold and tossed it on the floor.
“You’d hate me later if we do this and you have feelings for someone else.”
“No excuses,” he snarled.
It gave her pause as she regarded him with alarm.
He slowly crouched. “If there is a female, she’s not here. You are.”
Ouch. Would anyone with breasts do it for him right now?
He seemed to guess where her thoughts went. It shouldn’t have surprised her. The man she’d known had been deeply insightful.
“I am certain there is no female I want more than you, Joy. If I was dating, I settled for her.”
“You can’t know that for sure.”
; He leaned forward, gripped the edge of the bed with both hands, and nodded. “I have no doubt.”
He was completely sincere. It was almost embarrassing how close to the surface he brought her emotions. She prided herself on keeping a tight leash on them but then Moon had come along, tearing at the very foundation of her soul until she’d had to walk out of his life to avert disaster for both of them. She’d suffered regret and misery.
“Okay.” She reached back and unhooked her bra.
His gaze lowered to watch her remove it. She dropped it over the side of the bed before stretching flat on her back and lifting her hips. Her thumbs hooked the band of her panties and pushed, widening her fingers to catch her bunched-up skirt, sliding both down her legs as she drew them up to do it. Both garments fell to the floor when she kicked them away. She was totally naked. Moon took in every inch of her body with a methodical gaze.
His feelings were closed off as she watched his face, looking for hints of what he was thinking or feeling as she lowered her legs. She had no idea what to do with her hands so she rested them flat on the mattress, next to her hips.
Moon stood and reached for his sweats. His cock pressed tightly against the cotton material, stretching out the front. He had to ease the waistband over his arousal and it stood straight out when he worked it free. He bent, hiding that sight from her, and softly cursed.
“The damn chains.” Material tore as he ripped off his sweats to get rid of them since the shackles prevented him from getting naked otherwise.
Joy gasped when he straightened again and moved to the bottom of the bed. He put one knee on the end, dropped forward, and his hands braced his upper body. His gaze swept up her legs to her face.
“Spread open for me, sweetness.”
“Don’t you want to kiss me first?”
“I’m going to.” His gaze dropped to her shaved mound. “Open.”
Oh shit. She broke out in a sweat. “Maybe we should take this a bit slower? Um, it’s been a while and, um, I’m a bit rusty. Maybe we should kiss first and work up to that, or down? Yeah. That would be down, wouldn’t it?”
Moon held her gaze and smiled. It was devastating. “You aren’t a virgin. I remember that.”