He gaped at her.

“Do you know what Halfpint suffered? The man who owned her showed off his half-animal woman and would let them touch her.” Tears filled her eyes just thinking about what a hellish nightmare her friend had suffered. “He’d sit in a chair and watch them do whatever they wanted. There was only one rule. They couldn’t bruise or scar her. He liked her looking good.”

Shadow snarled.

“Tiny was given to a guy who was into stuff that makes me sick to my stomach. She’ll never allow a man to touch her again. She’d rather die. I don’t even want to repeat the things she spoke of. It made me feel guilty for feeling sorry for myself. The one who had me only forced me accept him into my body. It hurt and was emotionless but he didn’t beat or humiliate me by doing it in front of others. He didn’t make me say I loved the things he did to my body. I was never bound while he forced me to take him into my mouth or…” She grew quiet, trying to rein her raging emotions.

Shadow stared at the floor, his hands fisted at his sides. She calmed.

“I refuse to allow my past to ruin my future. I’m not physically as strong as the other women but I’m not broken inside either. I’m healing. I refuse to do anything less. The more I learn, the more I’m grateful for. Do you understand?”

He looked up. “Yes.”

“I feel shame sometimes for not fighting.” It was her turn to stare at the floor. “I did everything he asked because I was too afraid he’d stop protecting me from the guards. I was terrified that he’d die when he got sick and there would be no stopping them.”

Silence stretched between them.

“We should get some sleep.” Shadow walked to the doorway. “I’m going to get my pillow to sleep on the floor here in the hallway.”

“I thought you were sleeping in my room.”

He paused, his back to her. “The hallway is better. It puts me farther from you.”

Ouch. “Would you do that if I were Rusty or Kit? Sleep on the floor? I have learned to never leave the cabin without you. I’m aware of all the dangers now. You don’t need to babysit me as if I were a child. I’m not.”

His gaze dropped to her br**sts. “I’m more than aware.”

Her heart rate increased. She didn’t need to ask him what he meant by that. His attention to her chest made his meaning clear. He presented her with his back but didn’t leave.

“You can sleep in your room instead of on the floor. I give my word, I will never do anything like that again. I will ask you to take me to the river next time.”

“Why would you even do it?” He glanced back.

“Go to the river? I walked outside to get air and heard it. I was curious. I thought you were sleeping and didn’t believe it was a big deal. I could make out shapes well enough to believe I could reach it without falling into a hole or into the water.”

He combed his fingers through his hair, breaking eye contact. “Fine. I will accept your promise.”

“Thank you.”

He hesitated. “No, I wouldn’t offer to sleep on the floor for the other Species females. You’re not them though.”

“I’m less, right? Weak? Perhaps useless?” Kit had told her that the men saw Gift Females that way. “Look at me.”

He spun around. “What?”

“I’m just a woman, Shadow. I’m getting stronger every day and I refuse to be locked inside a box while you and everyone else toss away the key. I might not be as physically fit as our women but that doesn’t make me less.” Her chin rose. “I’m shy and less inclined to be brutally blunt but give me time. I want a normal life and that’s something I’m going to have to earn in order to be treated equal around here, isn’t it?”

A soft growl rumbled from him. “You want to be treated the way they are?”

“Yes.”

His gaze drifted down her slowly, taking in every inch. “You shouldn’t say that right now. You don’t know much about Species males, do you?”

“What does that mean?”

“I just saw you bare and you’re demanding for me to see you as if you are any other Species female.” He softly growled. “Be careful what you wish for, Beauty.”

Her heart accelerated as they stared at each other. She glanced down his body and noticed for the first time that his shorts were tented from his semi-erect cock. She was surprised at his aroused state. They’d been arguing but it seemed to turn him on. That made no sense to her.

“Good night.” He stepped out of her view to return to his room.

Beauty hesitated then rushed after him before she could chicken out. “Shadow?”

He spun, a low growl passing his parted lips. “What?”

“Tell me more about Species men.”

His eyes widened and his hands reached up to grip the top of the doorframe of his bedroom. “Not now.”

“You said I don’t know much about Species men. Tell me what you think I should understand about them.”

He seemed to be studying her face before he spoke. “You can’t be that innocent.”

Her outburst of temper still fueled her courage. “Are you attracted to me?”

“You know I am.” He glanced down at the evidence. “It’s obvious. There’s no hiding it in these boxers.”

Beauty followed his gaze and gawked a bit at the sight of Shadow’s c**k straining against the material. The outline of it was thick, big and intimidating. She wasn’t sure how she’d missed noticing his condition until he’d mentioned it. Then again, he had such beautiful eyes that they distracted her. So had his bare chest and broad shoulders. Every breath he took made her appreciate the sight of both. There was just so much about him that she found fascinating.