The nurse shook her head. “You know he was shot twice to protect you. Wasn’t that enough for you, Ms. Brower? He needs to sleep and not move around.” The woman bent down to the floor. She straightened, holding Ellie’s torn panties between her finger and thumb. She glared at Ellie. “This kind of thing is not acceptable.”

Tiger leaned against the wall, clutched his stomach, and started laughing again. Ellie knew her face must be bright red while Fury looked ready to kill something. The nurse tossed Ellie’s torn panties into the wastebasket by the door.

“Everyone but Mr. Fury needs to leave this room right now. I need to make sure he didn’t tear his stitches and he needs his pain medication.”

Ellie jerked her ankle, which was still in Fury’s grip. The second he released her, she climbed off the other side of the bed. She walked to the dresser and yanked open the drawer containing her panties. She knew her face continued to flame red when she marched into the bathroom and closed the door behind her. She hurried but could hear everything going on in the next room.

“And I thought this would be a boring job,” Tiger said and chuckled loudly.

“Shut up,” Fury growled. “Don’t ever come into our bedroom again when that door is closed. Ever.”

Ellie walked out wearing panties again. She marched back to the dresser and opened another drawer to pull out a pair of sweatpants for Fury. She met the glare of the nurse. “You need to leave or turn your back while I help Fury dress.”

The nurse snorted at her. “No need. I just plan to give him a sponge bath.”

“I’ll give him a sponge bath. You can give him his pills. You need to leave so he can put these on.”

The nurse and Ellie squared off. “It’s my job to care for Mr. Fury.”

Ellie’s mouth tightened. “It’s my job to take care of him. I also happen to be a nurse.”

“Uh-oh,” Tiger groaned softly. “Territory fight.”

Fury frowned, incensed he’d been interrupted from enjoying his Ellie—again! All he’d thought about was getting home to her so they could be alone without the watchful looks of security and hospital staff. He’d missed holding her in his arms, hearing her laugh and talking to her late into the night while they cuddled. He’d also missed her taste and having her hands on his body. He had recovered well enough to make love to her.

The nurse shouldn’t have arrived until much later and he wasn’t happy with the one they’d sent. She glared at Ellie in a way that had him fighting back a snarl. No one should look at his woman with anger, and if he hadn’t promised to allow a nurse into his home, he’d make Tiger escort her to the main gate immediately.

New Species women were protective of their possessions. As he watched Ellie, saw how her shoulders were set and her mouth tense, he realized that Tiger wasn’t far off the mark. The two women were about to fight for dominance.

No way would he allow his woman to fight another. Ellie could be harmed. He forced himself to relax, hoping that his calmness would also soothe her, show her that she should feel secure being his female and that the other one posed no threat. He would never allow any woman except Ellie to touch him. He’d make it clear who bathed him, who dressed him if he needed help and that the female nurse took Ellie’s commands. He took a deep breath.

“Ellie gives me baths,” Fury stated clearly. “Only Ellie.”

The nurse glared at Fury. “She isn’t your nurse. I am.”

“I don’t give a damn,” Fury snarled, his temper rising toward this rude human. “Ellie is the only woman I want touching me. Ellie?” Ellie turned her head and her gaze met his. “Calm down. I belong to you.” He kept eye contact with her to make sure she’d know he meant it. “I don’t have affairs. You are the only woman I want.” The only woman I’ll ever want for the rest of my life, he silently amended. He was certain that mating was definitely forever. Every second with Ellie only tightened the bond he had with her. “You’re it for me.”

“I know that.” Her tense expression softened.

“Don’t tear out her throat.” He decided to use humor to grab Ellie’s attention and if it frightened the nurse, so be it. He hid his chuckle. “No matter how much she deserves it for walking in on us.”

The nurse gasped and jumped back from Ellie. “They told me you were human. You’re New Species?” Panic laced her voice.

Amusement sparked inside Fury at the annoying human’s fear. “She’s New Species all right. She’s with me.”

Ellie sighed. “I’m as human as you are. Not exactly a great thing in my opinion.” She approached Fury. “I wasn’t going to tear out her throat. Geez. I just don’t like the idea of her touching you all over.”

He smiled. “Jealous?”

She gave a slight nod. Her anger seeped out of her expression completely. “I give the sponge baths.”

Fury reached out to clasp Ellie’s hand. “Only you. Now, can I have another sandwich? I’m hungry still.” He fought back frustration. “My meal was interrupted.”

A smile touched Ellie’s lips. She dropped the folded sweatpants over his sheet-covered lap. “Since we’re not alone, put those on.” Ellie faced the nurse. “You follow me. I’ll show you to the guestroom while Fury gets dressed.” She shot Tiger a dirty look. “You…stop grinning. It’s not funny. Can you stick around for a minute and make sure he doesn’t fall over when he puts those on?”