“No. I can take you. I like it.”

He growled low and kissed her neck. He almost withdrew from her body and then surged forward. It drove her ass against the bed but there was no pain. Just pleasure. No one had ever taken Kat that way. She moaned and went for his shoulder with her teeth, lightly biting him.

The snarl didn’t scare her and she licked his skin. He tasted good, slightly salty and all man. He moved faster, a bit rougher, and nipped her shoulder again. Kat moaned, lifting her thighs a little higher on his waist to give him freer movement with his hips. He rolled them, thrusting into her at a new angle.

She cried out and he rode her harder, hitting that spot over and over. She fisted the nylon restraints and squeezed her eyes closed. The pleasure kept slamming her as hard as the headboard hit the wall. She knew what two hundred forty-five pounds of unleashed, raw male felt like and it was amazing.

Chapter Eight

Kat tugged at her long-sleeved shirt to cover the marks on her wrists from the night before. They were faint but still showed. The skin hadn’t actually bruised but it was a bit irritated from the nylon. She didn’t want anyone to ask about the slight redness.

The second day of class had gone better after she’d shown everyone the purse trick. They’d also gone over other ways criminals hid items to get past security checks. There was no sign of Darkness.

A tall man with catlike eyes approached. He had light-brown hair and soft brown eyes. “Hello.”

She smiled, giving him her attention. “Do you have a question?”

“Would you like to go home with me to share sex?”

She tried to hide her surprise. It took her a few seconds to recover. Sunshine had warned her that men might approach her and she knew New Species just said it like it was. She’d have considered slapping a normal guy for being crude but rejected that reaction. She’d encouraged them to ask questions, after all. Her sense of humor sparked.

He grinned, flashing fangs. “I promise you a very good time.”

“I’m certain you would but no thank you.” He was a handsome guy but there was only one man who interested her.

“Find me at any time if you change your mind.” He spun away and crossed the room to the area where pool tables were.

“You handled that well.”

Startled, she twisted her head to find Darkness standing a few feet behind her. “Can you not sneak up on me and how did you get in? I didn’t see you.”

“I came through the backdoor and stayed in the shadows to observe your teachings. You did a good job.”

It was slightly irritating how that stirred warm feelings. She didn’t need his approval but liked it. “Thank you. I remembered what you said.”

He gave her body a once-over. “How are you feeling this morning?”

Sore. She wasn’t about to admit to a little tenderness in a few areas of her body. “Great.”

“I hope the bath helped.”

Images flashed through her mind. They’d had sex twice and then he’d untied her. He’d entered her bathroom to remove the condom but she’d heard water running. He’d stayed in there a few minutes. Curiosity had drawn her to follow him. He was bent over her bathtub with his hand under the running water. He’d looked at her then.

“This is for you. The temperature should be perfect.” He straightened. “Good night, Kat.”

He’d left, taking her bathroom trash with him. She’d relaxed in the tub for a while and when she’d gotten out all traces of Darkness had been removed. He’d taken his condoms with him, the empty wrappers and had even returned her pantyhose to the drawer.

He drew her back to the present. “You didn’t answer. Did the bath help?”

“Yes. Thanks for that.”

“Did I leave bruises on your arms or throat? It’s warm out today.”

She hesitated. “My wrists got slightly chafed from the nylon. It’s nothing major. I just didn’t want to risk anyone making assumptions or having questions about the marks.”

“I’ll come up with something else that won’t mar your skin. You could just say they were from when you first arrived at Homeland. Everyone knows you were taken to interrogation.”

He planned to see her again. She was relieved about that. “Does that mean you’re coming over tonight?”

“I’m on duty.”

“Oh.”

“I might stop by late but I’m not certain if I’ll be able to. Would you mind?”

“No.”

“I get off at eleven.” He lowered his gaze to the front of her shirt, his focus on her br**sts obvious. “I need to go.”

She watched him cross the room and stop to chat with a few men. One woman approached him and Kat hated the prickly sensation that rose. Jealousy was an emotion she didn’t enjoy but it was there. The woman was pretty and beamed up at Darkness, even reaching out to run her fingers along the center of his shirt. He didn’t flinch away or seem to mind.

Kat looked away. He wouldn’t let her do that to him. He’d have blocked her hand if she’d pulled that stunt. She couldn’t help but look back at him. The urge was too strong. He still stood there and now the woman talking to him had stepped closer, only inches away. She reached up again and laid her palm over his upper arm, stroking it. He didn’t react in any way, just stood there allowing her to touch him.

“Jerk,” she muttered, shoving the plastic inserts and gel bag she’d used for the demonstration back inside the purse.