“I’m so damn sorry, Darkness.”

He shrugged. “The past can’t be changed.” He turned his head but didn’t look at her, just stared into the night, his features in profile. “I’ll return you to your cottage to make sure you don’t get into trouble. You know you’re not allowed to roam Homeland without an escort. Let’s go.”

“I don’t want to leave you alone right now.”

He turned to stare at her. “Return to your cottage, Kat. Don’t follow me ever again or you might catch me in a moment when I’m not feeling so talkative. I don’t want you to be hurt if I’m in a defensive mood. That’s what caused that fight you saw.”

“I don’t believe you’re dangerous to me.”

He ran his fingers through his hair before he fisted his hands at his sides. “You’d be wrong.”

“You wouldn’t hurt a woman. You said so yourself.”

She could sense the danger. It hung in the air thickly as if it were a scent or a sensation, almost tangible. She refused to back down though. It was probably stupid but she did trust him with her life. He was tortured by his past but he was a good man.

“I’ve killed a female before.”

The news should have surprised her more but she remembered the vibe she’d gotten when he’d interrogated her and what she’d called him on after her class. “What did she do to you?”

He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I want you so bad sometimes I have to fight myself not to take you.”

Her heart raced. She was attracted to him too but noticed he’d changed the subject. Part of her wanted to push for an answer about that woman but she was afraid he’d shut her out again. “We’re talking sex, right?” She wanted to be sure they were on the same page.

His gaze lowered down her body before jerking up to hold her curious stare. “I’m not mate material.”

“What does that mean?”

“Some of my kind have taken humans as mates. They aren’t as tormented inside as I am. They adjusted to freedom better and can provide those females with positive emotions and tenderness. I have neither. I am restless and wouldn’t take to a stable relationship well. I don’t have a heart to give. I don’t do commitment.”

The air froze inside her lungs until the jealousy passed. “You mean you sleep around with other women?”

His jaw clenched, the muscle taut. He hesitated. “I don’t seek female companionship. I scare most of them. They see me as too cold. I’m saying I would never offer anything more than physical pleasure.”

He was hot. She totally disagreed with the female New Species assessment if that’s what they really thought of him. “Understood. You’re not looking for anything long-term.”

“I don’t stay in one place for long. I transfer between Homeland and Reservation often. I will visit the Wild Zone for days or weeks at a time without bothering to stay inside the cabins provided there. I enjoy sleeping outdoors. Mates need a full-time male who is always there to protect them. That won’t ever be me.”

Message received. He was offering a one-night stand. She took a deep breath and stepped closer to him. “I’m kind of good at taking care of myself and I’m not looking for anything long-term either. I’m married to my job. I travel a lot too.”

“Are you married to it right now?”

“I’m not working at this moment. This is my own time.”

His clenched fingers opened and he crossed his arms over his chest, regarding her with a frown. “You’re human.”

“I am.”

“They wish for more than to just share sex with a male.”

Amused, she smiled. “Are you an expert on them? If so, here’s a lesson. We’re not all the same.”

He wet his lips with his tongue. “You want to f**k me?”

She took another step closer, had to lift her chin to keep staring into his eyes, and knew she was playing with fire. He was blunt. She did want him, though, and had since they’d first met. There wasn’t a time she could recall of ever having been more attracted to a man.

“You like direct, don’t you?”

“Yes.” His voice deepened.

“Okay. I want you, Darkness. I’m not looking for an engagement ring or a lifetime commitment. I’m bad with the whole relationship thing. Tried it and failed miserably. Men tend to resent my job and my independence after a while. They are also irritated when they know I could take them in a fight.”

“I’d win if we tussled.”

She glanced at his powerful arms and well-built body, agreeing. She lifted her hand and placed it on his forearm. His skin was hot to the touch, just like him. “You don’t scare me.”

He slowly unfolded his arms and firm, large hands encased her hips. One jerk and she was flattened against his chest roughly enough to make her gasp. Their bodies pressed together. The bulge against her belly assured her he was interested in her too.

“This is one game you don’t want to play.”

“I’m not playing.”

He lowered his head while staring at her face. She wished she could see his beautiful eyes better in the dim night. The scent of his masculine cologne, or whatever it was that smelled so good, teased her nose. The urge to get closer became strong.

“You should tell me no while you can.”

“I don’t want to.”