Fury

He’d chuckled. “Haven’t you learned yet that I don’t say things just to soothe someone?”

His beautiful Ellie had laughed with him. “That’s so true. You’re blunt. All New Species are.”

“Is that a bad thing?”

She shook her head. “No. It’s a wonderful trait.”

“I’m glad. So he spent time with other women?”

“He had sex with them.”

Shock tore through Fury. “Why? What is wrong with him? He had you and needed no other.”

Little delicate fingers had wrapped around the curve of the back of his hand. “I believe you really mean that. Thank you, Fury.”

“I don’t like your ex-husband.” He growled. “I will change his mind quickly if he ever comes here and tries to get you to go back to being married to him. I wouldn’t mind using my fists a few times to make sure he left you alone.”

He instantly worried that his threat to the man she’d once married would upset her but he hadn’t censored his thoughts before it popped out of his mouth. She’d reacted with a laugh instead.

“Will you call me first if he does show up here? I want to watch if you punch him.” Ellie released him then, stood, and gave him a warm smile. “Good night, Fury. Sweet dreams.”

Her hips swayed when she left the room and he waited until he heard her bedroom door close before he released a pent-up, frustrated groan. It grew more difficult for him to resist his impulses to take her to his bed instead of allowing her to go to hers alone. He didn’t want to frighten her. She’d need time to learn he would never harm her in any way and he’d be certain that feat had been accomplished before he tried to get her back into his bed.

He smelled desire on her, which gave him hope that the memory of them together lingered inside her mind the way it did in his. He wanted to take her back to his room, spread her out naked over his sheets and touch every inch of her skin. He just needed a sign from her when she reached the point that she wanted to take their relationship farther…

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

He drew his thoughts to the present when she placed more food on the table. His fingers itched to touch her. He inhaled when she inched closer to him and had to force his body not to move at all or he’d close the distance and do exactly that.

Just give me a hint that you’re ready, he silently begged. He’d talked to some of the human security guards he’d become friends with. They told him that some women needed a man to make the first move. Some women enjoyed a strong male who took charge, and if Ellie were that type, Fury would be that man for her.

He glanced at both filled plates, realized that her making a meal for the two of them might be her subtle way of hinting she might be ready to deepen their relationship. Of course, he had given Breeze permission to visit Ellie. Perhaps that second plate of food wasn’t intended for him. He tried not to get his hopes up. If she planned to share dinner with him, he’d take it as a signal.

If he could get Ellie into his bed he might be able to seduce her into staying there. New Species females were strong-willed females with a preference to keep males at arm’s length except during sex. He needed to find a way to soften Ellie’s defenses and push for more, something deeper than just sex. He’d show her everything could be great between them and they could have that out of bed as well.

Chapter Eleven

Fury studied the table. “Is that for me?”

Ellie smiled. “Yes. I swear I’m a good cook. It’s safe to eat.”

His dark gaze fixed on her. “That was nice. What is the reason?”

“There isn’t one. I just wanted to do something nice for you. I love to cook. They delivered groceries yesterday. I cooked last night but you didn’t show up until late. Tonight you arrived on time.”

He studied her closely. “You wish to do something nice for me?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“I wanted to do something special for you. You have taken me into your home and you”

Fury moved so suddenly Ellie didn’t have time to react before he grabbed her. Strong arms lifted her into his arms and carried her toward the hallway before she realized where they headed.

“Fury?” Alarm jolted through her and she clutched at him.

He walked into his bedroom and dropped her onto his bed gently. Ellie gawked at him while he grabbed the front of his shirt, tearing it wide open. Buttons flew. She lowered her shocked gaze to his bare chest. Tan, muscled skin beaconed in the dim light from the fading sunshine through the thinly curtained windows.

“What are you doing?” Her voice trembled.

He reached for his belt as he toed off his boots. “I won’t hurt you this time. I have it worked out.”

Fury yanked open the front of his pants and threw the belt he tore from the loops behind him. The sound of it hitting the carpet tore her focus away from his tight abs and sexy black boxer briefs peeking from the vee of the pants that hugged lean hips. Her gaze lifted to his, watched him bend closer to shove his pants down, and her heart hammered. Fury tugged and stepped out of the pants to straighten in front of her again in nothing but his briefs. Her gaze lowered to take in that sight but he lunged suddenly.

Ellie gasped again when he bent over her, his hands gripped both sides of her shirt, and material tore. Air met skin. Surprise held her still as she stared into his eyes. He growled softly at her, his dark gaze taking in the view he’d bared—her stomach and bra.

“Fury?”