“No,” he snarled softly. “Maybe. I don’t know. I hate what was done to us.”
“I do too. What were you going to say about only seeing humans until? You stopped.”
His dark gaze narrowed, watched her, and he cleared his throat. “Until they brought a female into my cell. She was New Species and it was the first time I ever saw someone who looked similar to me. They wanted to see if we could breed.” He glanced at the wall next to her face, stared there. “They forced us to be together sometimes but it never worked. We weren’t able to produce children.” His jaw tensed before he met her gaze again. “I’m glad. We didn’t want them to succeed and bring new life into that hell.”
Ellie bit her lip and her hand stilled. “I heard something about that from the women,” she admitted. “It’s not fair what was done to you. They were wrong and just evil to do that, Fury. I call people like that total morons without a speck of intelligence or compassion.”
Fury searched her eyes, looking deep into them. “Are you afraid of me, Ellie?”
She hesitated. “I am when you’re angry, though you’d scare me if you had animal DNA or not, to be honest. You’re a big man.”
His whole body slumped, his tension eased. “I didn’t mean to hurt you on my bed by drawing blood.”
She hadn’t expected him to say that. She blew out the air she’d gasped in. Her heart raced and then she forced herself to calm down. Fury silently watched her.
“I believe you.”
“I don’t think I would have hurt you if it wasn’t for what they did to me. I wouldn’t have sharp teeth.”
Ellie didn’t know what to say. She just swallowed the lump that formed inside her throat. The attraction she held for Fury was strong, she admitted that, always had, since the day she’d laid eyes on him. She’d thought about what he’d done to her in his bed many a night, her mind filled with erotic memories while dreaming. It had been fantastic until that last part when he’d suddenly withdrawn from her and Justice had arrived.
“I just thank your God that I didn’t do the things I wanted to do to you.”
Ellie warmed all over suddenly. “What…?” She had to swallow. Her voice had broken. “What did you want to do?” The question came out a whisper.
His eyes flashed some emotion she couldn’t quite identify. “I really would have scared you. We aren’t sexually compatible in all ways.”
Ellie stared up at him. She opened her mouth to ask him what he meant by that. Fury suddenly pushed away from the wall and turned his back to her. He stalked away until a good eight feet separated them.
“Your room will be the first door on the right down the hallway. Make yourself at home. I’ll run by the security office and have a temporary pass made for you but for now you should stay inside. I’ll make sure your things from your car are on the way. There’s lots of food to eat in the kitchen if you’re hungry.” He stormed out of the house and slammed the door.
Ellie leaned against the wall for a long time staring at the door he’d disappeared through.
* * * * *
Fury left the house before he totally made a fool of himself by grabbing Ellie, burying his nose against her throat, and inhaling her wonderful scent. The urge to hold her, put his arms around her, and cradle her was so strong he physically ached.
He regretted telling her they weren’t sexually compatible. He’d just said it to shock her. She had been too close, they’d been alone, and he’d wanted to do a hundred things to her. That’s why he walked at a brisk pace to put distance between them.
He focused on his anger instead. She could have been kidnapped, taken for just being associated with New Species, and it infuriated him. She cared about his people, had risked her life to save his kind, first by working undercover inside the testing facility and again by protecting his women when the dorm had been breached. She’d stayed alone to face those violent intruders in order to activate the steel doors to secure the women.
That had been the first thing he’d ordered changed. Humans had screwed up that design by not installing enforced walls to slam down on the first floor as well as the upper floors. The main control panel also should have been installed where she would have been protected as well.
Her eyes haunted him, so blue and pretty, he could gaze into them all day and never get weary of the sight. His fingers ached to touch her soft, pale skin, and run through her soft blonde tresses. Her voice sounded as sweet as pure honey to him, soft and slightly husky. If he knew he could keep a handle on his desire to touch her, he would have stayed, and grilled her for more personal information. He needed to know everything about her but the urge to be closer to her had become too strong.
Now that she’d returned, would live under his roof, he wasn’t about to let her go. He could keep her and look out for his people at the same time. He wouldn’t let Justice down by not doing his job but Ellie would be there when he returned home. A small smile curved his lips.
She was inside his house. His speed increased. The faster he dealt with everything he needed to do, the sooner he’d be able to see her again. He just needed to go slow and avoid spooking her into running away. He could be patient. It wasn’t his best trait but he’d learn for her.
Chapter Ten
Ellie smiled at Breeze. “I’m so glad you came to visit me. I really miss all of you. I wanted to visit the dorm but Fury told me it wasn’t a good idea.” She glanced around the living room. “I’m kind of stuck inside.” Her attention returned to Breeze. “You’re saving me from going stir crazy. I’ve been here for three days and Fury has refused to allow me to leave.”
Breeze smiled back. “Think how difficult a time I had talking him in to allowing me to see you. I wanted to bring more women with me but he refused to give permission for anyone else to come.” She studied Ellie and cocked her head. “He must really be concerned for your safety.”
Ellie shrugged. “Why? Those crazy jerks outside the gate holding signs can’t hurt me while I’m safe inside Homeland.”
A strange look passed over Breeze’s face but Ellie caught it. She sat back on the couch and crossed her arms over her chest. “What am I missing?”
Breeze hesitated. “There are rumors.”
