Moon Read online

  “Do you remember me at all?” She took a breath. “Don’t hurt me. I’m no threat.”

  He bit down but it didn’t break the skin. He had a firm grip on her though. The remaining Species inched closer in an attempt to launch a surprise attack. The body against hers stiffened. A growl rumbled from him, making his chest vibrate. He sensed a threat.

  “He’ll rip out my throat. Get out. Do you think he isn’t aware of you? I’m fine. Back off!” Joy kept direct eye contact with the guard so he’d know she spoke to him.

  The Species retreated immediately and Moon’s teeth loosened their hold. Joy stared at the male who hesitated by the door and kept her voice calm. “We’re fine. Just step out and get what I asked for. I’ll call if I need assistance.” Scream. That was the word she didn’t use but would be more accurate if things turned bad. “Let me see if I can calm him while you hurry to get what is needed.”

  He looked unsure but backed away until he was out of sight. Joy slowly turned her head until her cheek rested against Moon’s. He had smooth skin—Species didn’t grow facial hair easily, if at all. She massaged the muscles of his upper arms.

  “I missed you.” She spoke very softly, hoping no one but Moon could hear her heartfelt words. “I’m sorry I left. I was afraid.” She didn’t elaborate, certain that, in his current mood, he didn’t want to hear her rationalizations. “Why has this been done to you?”

  So many unanswered questions tormented her. Was the damage permanent? Temporary? Was the person he used to be trapped somewhere inside his mind?

  His hips nuzzled tighter against her pelvis, making her very conscious of the state of his cock and what was on his mind at that moment. The tight hold on her neck eased as his teeth released her. He might not recognize her in his drugged state but he was aware of her as a woman. She slid her hands up to his broad shoulders but he didn’t snarl or protest, seemingly happy to sniff and lick her skin again.

  His hair was soft as she touched it and laced her fingers through the long strands at the base of his head, holding him close. She rubbed her cheek against his again, breathing in his masculine scent, which was so familiar to her—assuring her once again that she’d gotten way too close to her former client. Her body was alive and worse, she knew the symptoms of her own arousal. Part of her longed to wrap her legs around his waist and hope he’d take advantage of the position by tearing away the clothing between them.

  Just the idea of them naked, him taking her, made her muffle a moan. She’d dreamed about him almost nightly and daydreamed about him daily. Those fantasies had primed her body to respond to the flesh-and-blood male. He didn’t have to kiss her or do anything but hold her to turn her on. All it took was being near him.

  He inhaled deeply, taking in more of her scent. She hoped he’d remember her, that a memory would click into place. She’d been told by her clients that what they’d termed “breeding drugs” totally obliterated their ability to think but the fact that he didn’t seem to recognize her was disturbing.

  Doubt and insecurity struck sharply. Perhaps she hadn’t meant as much to him as he’d led her to believe. Those last days she’d spent with him inside her office had been intense. He’d grown progressively adamant that he wanted her. He’d told her that he obsessed about touching her and taking her to his bed. The things he’d said he wanted to do to her still made her squirm in sexual frustration. She’d wanted him to do everything he’d imagined. The fact that it was forbidden had only made it more difficult to resist.

  “Moon,” she whispered. “Look at me. Please?”

  Joy wasn’t sure if he heard her or would comply but he slowly moved his head until they gazed at each other, nose to nose. Up close his eyes were as striking as she remembered and looking into them made thinking difficult.

  “Hi. It’s Joy.” She licked her lips. “Dr. Yards. Do you remember me now?”

  No recognition flickered in his gaze but he did pull back further and lower his focus to her mouth. He growled at her. It wasn’t a ferocious sound—more of a rumble that vibrated his chest, which was still smashed against hers. The fact that he’d done what she’d asked wasn’t lost on her. He could understand what she was saying.

  “You’re going to be okay. You’re on drugs. Do you understand? The NSO called me to help you and I’m here.” Her hands stroked the back of his neck and played with his hair. “Can you talk? Tell me what you need.”

  He growled again. His hips wiggled tighter against her until her tailbone dug uncomfortably into the unforgiving wall. She shifted, parting her legs to alleviate the pressure and Moon took advantage of it immediately by positioning the hard ridge of his cock against the seam of her pussy. She bit back another moan. It felt good to finally feel him there and she wanted more.

  He lowered his gaze to stare at her cleavage and tucked his chin to get a better view as he breathed her in again. She wasn’t surprised when he adjusted her a bit higher in his hold to nuzzle his face between her breasts. When his tongue tasted her she closed her eyes. Her belly clenched and the urge to wrap her legs around his waist struck again. Joy barely resisted.

  The soft sound of quick footsteps drew her attention. It was a New Species male and he gripped a handheld dart gun. Moon heard his approach too and whipped his head around. He reacted by snarling loudly—a scary, threatening sound.

  The Species male fired immediately and Joy tensed, knowing Moon had been hit in the muscle above his shoulder blade since she saw the colorful tag at the end of the dart. The man who held her responded by throwing his head back and howling as he crushed her against the wall.

  They both slid to the floor when Moon’s knees gave out. She practically straddled his lap. She glimpsed pure rage on his features for a split second before his eyes rolled up into his head. He slumped backward, taking her with him since his hands still gripped her. The other Species moved fast and managed to catch Moon’s back before he sprawled flat, out cold.

  Joy scrambled to get off Moon and dropped to her knees beside him, jerking out the protruding dart from his skin to prevent it from causing him more injury before it was shoved deeper when he touched the floor. The Species male frowned at her as he gently lowered the unconscious Moon.

  “What the hell were you thinking by interfering? You could have been killed. My males rushed out to report what you did when you entered the room and they told me Moon had you. Are you insane?”

  Joy remembered her shirt gaped open and dropped the dart to grip the edges together to hide her bra. “I’m Dr. Joyce Yards. Who are you?”

  “Answer my questions. What were you doing and are you insane?”

  She swallowed hard. “I saw him fighting other Species and it was obvious he wasn’t in control. Someone could have gotten hurt. I intervened to prevent that. No. I’m not insane. I have some questions myself. Why is he on the breeding drug? Who the hell gave it to him?”

  Two of the New Species who had been fighting with Moon returned to the room. Both were grim-faced as Joy scrambled to her feet and tried to compose her frayed emotions. She got out of the way as the two of them approached then gently lifted their fallen comrade from the floor. They carried him between them to the bed and placed him back on the mattress. She watched them reattach the restraints to his arms, legs, and torso before the other New Species—obviously the one in charge—stepped into her path and blocked her view.

  Joy swayed a little on her feet, the urge to check on Moon so strong she fisted her shirt tighter, remembering she would give too much away if she acted on impulse.

  “Dr. Yards?” This Species was tall with a beautiful mane of hair and pretty cat eyes, which appeared angry as he glared at her. “What do you think you were doing?”

  “I’m an expert on Species. I was trying to prevent someone from being killed.”

  His gaze lowered to her shirt. “He tore it?”

  “I did. I knew my breasts would get his attention. I realize how unprofessional that sounds, but I was right. And I’m not here