Shadow slid out of the Jeep and reached for her. “Allow me to help you down.”

She rose from the backseat and strong hands gripped her h*ps and he lifted her slowly over the edge until she stood on her feet on the dirt road. He released her immediately to grab their belongings.

“Thank you, Jaded. I am certain we will be fine as long as there is food. I’ve learned how to cook thanks to the task force. They were very helpful while I lived at their headquarters.”

The other man chuckled. “I bet they were. The ones I’ve met say they married their jobs. Not having access daily to cafeterias such as we have would make them eager to learn to prepare their own meals. They’d starve otherwise.” His humor faded. “Call if there’re any issues that arise. We’re all here to help.”

Beauty refused to wince despite the strong urge. She had a sneaking suspicion that everyone at the NSO had been made aware she might be interested in pursuing a physical relationship with Shadow. It was embarrassing and uncomfortable for so many to know what should be private. She ducked her chin to hide the blush on her cheeks and turned to face the cabin.

The Jeep left and the sounds of the river could be heard once the engine faded away. Birds sang and the treetops whispered from the wind. It was a peaceful place she looked forward to enjoying for the next two weeks.

“This way.” Shadow carried their bags as he led the way to the front door.

She rushed after him. “I’ll get the door.”

He paused and she ignored his frown as she shoved the door open. Shadow jerked his head to indicate she should go first. Curiously, she did just that.

The inside had rustic charm with log walls and what appeared to be handmade furniture created mostly from natural products. A smile curved her lips. “How pretty!”

“Brass said the Wild Zone residents made most of this.” He stared at the coffee table someone had painstakingly sanded from a thick log cut in half, the insides of it smoothed and flattened to a level surface. “Nice work.”

“The couch is nice too.” She stepped closer. “More logs with large cushions. How clever.”

“The bedrooms should be upstairs. I was told there are two. You should pick which one you want.”

She spun around to stare at him. Nerves made her heart flutter. Half of her wished to invite him to share a room with her but she wasn’t brave enough to ask. “It doesn’t matter.”

Broad shoulders shrugged. “I’ll give you whichever is nicest. I’ll return immediately.”

He fled for the stairs and she watched him disappear. She resisted the urge to follow. The bad thing about being segregated from Species men was her lack of knowledge on how to speak to them. She moved through the lower floor to explore the open space. It consisted of a living room divided from the kitchen by a bar with stools. There was a small bathroom with only a toilet and sink.

Shadow returned without their things. He avoided her gaze.

“I am going outside to learn the area. Stay inside until I’m sure it is safe.”

“No one will hurt us here.”

That got his attention. “You’re female and I’m not sure I trust that some of the males won’t be curious to see you. Brass told me to do a few things to ensure they know what boundaries not to cross.”

“Boundaries?”

“I need to mark the area around the house just to make certain they are aware I am here.”

“You brought signs?”

He dropped his gaze to the floor and strode for the door quickly. “Stay inside.”

He was gone before she could ask another question. He hadn’t been carrying anything. She walked to the window and watched him disappear to the left of the cabin. She spun and rushed for the stairs, hoping for a view from the second floor to see what he was up to.

The bedrooms were small but she barely noted the details as she rushed through the one that would hopefully give her a view of Shadow. The curtains were open and she spotted him walking through trees. He paused at one point with his back to her and her jaw dropped open as he reached for the front of his pants. While she couldn’t see him exposed, she guessed he was peeing on a tree.

I need to mark the area. His words sank in and she backed away from the window before he caught her watching him. He’d meant that literally—he was marking the area as an animal would. It floored her.

Species aren’t like humans, she reminded herself. Her gaze landed on the bed to see Shadow’s bag sitting neatly on the lower end of it. She was inside his room. The bed was a big one with a headboard and footboard made of sturdy branches.

She went to the other bedroom, which had an identical bed to his, and began to unpack, making sure not to get too close to the window in the event Shadow saw her. She didn’t want him to know she’d spied.

The dresser had obviously been bought. She neatly stored her clothing inside. The bathroom would be shared by them. It had a door on each side, connecting their rooms. No locks had been placed on either door. He could enter at will.

She stared at the shower with the clear glass doors. There would be no privacy if he walked in on her. It went both ways though. She could catch him while he bathed if they weren’t careful to listen before entering to make sure the bathroom wasn’t already occupied.

The door downstairs opened and closed. Beauty went in search of him immediately. He was crouched in front of the fireplace when she returned to the lower level, studying it. She knew he was aware of her since the steps creaked slightly under her feet.