Some of the anger eased from his features. “It’s not your fault. People always assume the worst. Hell, my own people thought me capable of it.”

“What do we do now?”

His lips twitched and he gave her a slight smile. “Look on the bright side. We don’t have to hide our relationship anymore.”

She snorted. “Yeah. They had it on the news. I guess I should probably call my family soon before they hear about it and freak out.”

His smile died. “What if they are upset about you being with me?” His gaze searched hers. “Will you leave me?”

Ellie hugged him tighter. “Never. I swear. I don’t care what they think.”

He couldn’t hide his relief. “I checked something out.”

“What?”

He hesitated. “Have I told you that I love you?”

Ellie’s heart soared. “No. You haven’t. Are you telling me now?”

His lips twitched before he spoke and amusement sparked his gaze. “That depends. Do you love me?”

Ellie laughed and nodded. “I do.”

“I love you, sweetness.”

“I love you too.” Tears blinded her until she blinked them away. “I’ve loved you for a while but I refrained from telling you.”

“Why?”

She shrugged. “I guess I was being stupid. Human guys tend to flinch a little when a woman declares she’s fallen in love quickly.”

His eyebrows arched. “I’m not one of them, not fully, and I’m filled with joy that you love me. Never say you are stupid again. You’re cautious because you have been hurt by a man in your past. That will never happen with us because this time you chose well.” A smile curved his lips, a teasing sparkle in his beautiful eyes.

Ellie had to fight her emotions not to become overwhelmed. She did laugh at his joke. He loves me! More tears blinded her. She had to blink them back. It wasn’t just sex to him, he shared her feelings. Suddenly their problems seemed irrelevant. He loves me!

“Good. I love you more than words can say and I’m so happy you love me too.”

Fury chuckled. “I checked into marriage.” His smile died. “They don’t have a special marriage clause for us but it isn’t exactly against the law either since there’s nothing regarding New Species.”

Marriage? Ellie stared up at him in shock. She’d never once expected Fury to think about that kind of commitment but he obviously had. Did she want to be married to him? She stared up into his eyes. He had become a huge part of her soul since that first haunting day she’d seen him inside his sterile cell.

“You want to talk about getting married? Really?”

“Would you mind being married to me? I love you and I want to commit to you, Ellie. That’s the deepest one humans have.”

“I love you for that even more.”

He lifted her and carried her into the living room. He sat back down on the couch with her on his lap. She put her arms around him and they smiled at each other.

“Would you seriously consider saying yes if I were to ask you to marry me in the near future?”

Ellie laughed. “I would but you aren’t supposed to ask if I will consider it. Just ask me.”

“I would but I haven’t had a chance to buy you a ring yet.” He reached up and gripped Ellie’s hand behind his neck. He brought it to his lips to press a kiss on her palm. Then he turned her hand to study her fingers. “I don’t know what size your finger is unless they just come in small.”

“I’m a size six.”

“Six.” His gaze met hers as he held her hand inside his. “I’m having the legal department look into whether we can get married. All they have found so far is that it isn’t on the books but there’s nothing against us marrying either. We’re what they called a landmark case. It sounds like we are real estate.”

Chuckling, Ellie nodded. “Yeah. It kind of does.”

“They believe it shouldn’t be a problem. They were hoping no one would find out until after we were married if you agreed to be my wife. Now I’m afraid someone will think of it and try to protest our right to do that.”

“I don’t think they can. You have rights, Fury. They can’t give New Species the right to live as all citizens live then tell you that you don’t have the same rights as other people. It would just be too wrong for words.”

The phone rang and Fury lifted Ellie off his lap and gently placed her onto the couch next to him. He got to his feet to get the phone. Ellie leaned back and tried to relax. She could hear Fury’s voice but not the words.

He wants to marry me. She grinned.

* * * * *

“The calls are already coming in, Fury.” Justice swore softly. “I just got off the phone with the president. He fully backs us but I hear the worry in his voice. I assured him things are fine and that the news reports were purposely grim.”

“Good. I called our teams and they are on standby to assist the human forces at the gates in case we get an influx of protesters. I’m expecting that to happen. It’s going to drive those nut jobs insane that their worst fear has come true and that a New Species officially lives with a human woman.” Fury paused. “I’m sorry for the trouble but I wouldn’t change it. She’s worth it to me, Justice.”

“You have made that clear and as I said, we are happy for you both. We back you.” Justice paused. “I know we need to address this issue with the press. They are imagining the worst—that she was injured by abuse from one of ours, and we need to clear this matter up.”