She’d told him about her parents’ bitter divorce, putting her in the middle of it at the tender age of ten. He didn’t like her parents already and he’d never met them. He didn’t want Ellie around them after she stated they tried repeatedly to talk her in to reconciling with her ex-husband.

If he ever met Jeff, he’d beat the stupid human. Ellie had avoided his gaze when he’d asked her questions about her marriage. The idea of another male touching her had nearly sent him into a rage but he’d kept calm. The conversation remained inside his thoughts…

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

“How long were you with him?”

“It doesn’t matter. We made a mistake when we married. He had affairs and I didn’t know.”

“Affairs?” Fury had frowned, not understanding. “He went to events? What kind?”

A grin had spread across her beautiful, tempting lips and she’d turned to face him on the couch. “The event he went to was spending time with other women.” Her smile faded and anger glinted, changing her eyes to a darker blue. “He told me it was my fault when I found out about his cheating with other women.” Her chin rose, showing him the stubborn streak he admired. “What bullshit. I may have been overweight but he wasn’t thin either.”

Fury’s gaze had wandered over her body slowly, taking in every inch he found delectable. “You are not overweight. I think your curves are perfect.”

She’d reached over to place her hand over the top of his, rewarding him with a smile. “Thank you. I lost weight.”

“Even if you gained weight I would find you perfect.”

She’d stared at him for a long moment and he’d wondered if he’d said the wrong thing. She was Ellie. He’d want her regardless of her size. He actually wished she were bigger. Maybe, if I put more food inside the house she could gain back the weight she lost, he thought. She was too tiny in his opinion and he always worried that if she did allow him to touch her again he might accidentally harm her in some way.

“I know you don’t really mean that but it was great to hear.”

“I mean it.” He’d growled at her softly, slightly insulted that she’d question his word. Her eyes had widened in reaction. He cleared his throat. “I don’t lie.”

“There are lies and there’s saying things to be polite.”

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 h*ps 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 na**d 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.