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  “It would kill you.”

  She smiled, not afraid in the least. His race was made up of strong, big guys. “Probably. Have you tried to talk to other New Species who have lost their mates? It might help.”

  “They don’t discuss it. Few had mates. Most of them who did lost them when we were still in captivity. It’s too painful for them to speak about the past.”

  “There’s grief counseling available. It helped me when I was ready to face my loss head on. I’m sure the NSO could bring someone in for private sessions.”

  “I don’t want to speak to a head shrink. I hate them.”

  His tone revealed his anger. The experience must have been a bad one. She understood. “You could go to group sessions somewhere close by. There would be a therapist on hand if needed, but mostly it’s just people talking to each other, sharing their pain and how they are dealing with everything.”

  “Humans,” he rasped. “No.”

  “I’m not a pork chop,” she gently reminded him. “You’re talking to me. Those support groups are for all the people who have lost loved ones. Their race doesn’t matter. We’re all the same inside. We hurt.”

  “You’re Paul’s sister. He’s Species to us.”

  She liked being included, in a roundabout way. It also touched her that her brother was considered family by the people he had decided to live with. “I could extend my visit if you want to keep talking to me.” She might lose her job, but she didn’t love it anyway. It was just something to get her out of the house every day so she didn’t sink back into hiding from the world. Her mother would have a fit, but she didn’t really care about that either. “I’d be happy to stay for as long as you want.”

  “You could do that?”

  “Yes. I’m lucky enough to have some savings. My husband wanted to make sure I was taken care of. I’m not dependent on a paycheck to make my bills.”

  “I could see if the NSO will pay you for being here.”

  “It’s not needed.” She studied Mourn. He was a large, intimidating guy, but he had a good heart. “But thank you. I’ll extend my stay if you will talk to me.” A blast of wind hit her, and she shivered. “Perhaps indoors next time though, when I’m not dressed for bed.”

  “You’re tired?”

  “No. I don’t sleep so well. That brings the dreams.”

  “I don’t like sleep either.”

  “What do you usually do at night?”

  “I run or work out. It helps to push my body to the limit until I’m exhausted. I don’t dream then.”

  That accounted for how muscular he was. “Why did you get into a fight today? I got the impression it’s something you do on a regular basis.”

  “I’m hoping they will kill me.”

  She chewed on her bottom lip, trying to think of the best thing to say.

  “I’ll be deemed unstable and a danger to others. It’s possible that the NSO will put me down.”

  It horrified her. “I’m sure they wouldn’t.”

  “I have nothing to live for.”

  “I used to feel that way too, but I was wrong. You’re just immersed in your grief right now.”

  “What do you live for?”

  The question surprised her, and she struggled to come up with an answer. “I guess for my family. They would be devastated if I just gave up. I couldn’t hurt them that way.”

  “I have no family.”

  “You have other New Species.”

  “I am not close to any of them. I only had my mate.”

  “What about your friends?”

  “I have none. I spent my freedom time caring for my mate.”

  He was breaking her heart. She made a decision. “Well, you have a friend now. You’re important to me. Don’t give up, Mourn. Let me help you. I know you probably feel as if there’s nothing that will make things better, but take a chance. Just give it a shot. You can’t allow things to remain the way they are.”

  “You don’t know me.”

  “I want to.” She leaned closer. “What’s your favorite color?”

  He was silent for a moment. “I love red. It is so bright.”

  “It is. What about your favorite food?”

  “Is this important?”

  “We’re getting to know each other. I love the color yellow. Have you ever seen a sunflower? I love those. I know they aren’t as beautiful as roses or tulips, but they remind me of summer days. They are cheerful. Plus, I like to eat sunflower seeds. They are pretty and a food source as well.”

  He rose to his full height. “I should take you back.”

  Dana had messed up somehow. Perhaps talking about favorites with a New Species wasn’t her best idea. She slid off the branch and got to her feet. Mourn stepped forward and bent, scooping her into his arms. He lifted her easily, as if she didn’t weigh much. She wrapped her arm around his neck and curled her other hand over his bare shoulder.

  “I could walk.”

  “You’re barefoot, and I don’t want you to step on something sharp.”

  “Thank you.” She hesitated before relaxing in his arms and resting her cheek against his chest. He was really warm and smelled of something manly, perhaps a scented body wash. “I hope I’m not too heavy.”

  “You’re not.” He stopped at the short wall that marked Paul’s backyard. “You shouldn’t smoke. It’s bad for you.”

  She turned her head and their faces were close enough that she could make out his striking eyes. “So is fighting. Besides, it’s vapor—not the real stuff. I’m not looking to hurt myself anymore.”

  His lips twitched but he didn’t smile. “You want to live.”

  “So should you.”

  He bent forward enough to clear the wall and gently placed her on her feet. She missed the warmth of his body when they parted. “Your shirt…” She started to remove it, intent on handing it back.

  “Keep it. I’ll come back tomorrow night. Expect me. We’ll talk more.”

  “I’d like that.”

  “Don’t tell anyone.”

  That statement surprised her. “Why?”

  “They will attempt to talk you out of it, or prevent me from coming near you. They know I’m unstable.” He stepped into the shadows and turned his head as if searching for something. “I’ll come when the lights go out.”

  She watched him disappear into the night. She turned, strolled up to the table and bent over to pick up case and replace the tube. She eased open the slider. Silence assured her that Paul and Becky hadn’t noticed her absence. She stepped in and locked the door behind her.

  Dana entered the guestroom and ran her fingers over Mourn’s cotton shirt after she removed it. She walked to the closet and hung it up, hiding it among her own clothes. He wanted to keep their meeting a secret, and she would respect that. Her brother would have a fit if he knew she’d willingly allowed a stranger to carry her off. A smile curved her lips. It had been a pretty brave venture on her part, and it beat sitting on the patio feeling depressed. Mourn needed a friend, and she appreciated feeling useful.

  Mourn kept his back pressed tightly to the tree trunk as he watched the slim blonde hang his shirt in her closet. She didn’t pick up the phone to call Security. He had feared she might. She also didn’t wake Paul or his mate. Instead she removed the robe and tossed it over the chair by the bed.

  He moved to leave, but the sight of her nightgown surprised him. It was a white T-shirt that fell almost to mid-thigh with narrow straps at her shoulders and a big yellow, round face over her belly. The two black eyes and the curved smile on the big dot indicated happiness. She rounded the bed and climbed on it.

  The shirt hiked high, and he sucked in air. The human wore white panties that barely concealed her sex. They were narrow and were cut high on her hips, exposing a lot of skin on each side of her ass. She had a curved, generous one with very pale skin.

  She got under the covers and shoved pillows behind her back. Her gaze darted around the room, and he wondered if she sen