His own abuse seemed minimal compared to others as he sat back down on the log, pondering the life of a Wild Zone resident. They didn’t even feel comfortable living amongst their own kind at Homeland. Shadow had been given the opportunity to work closely with humans on the task force. He liked most of them, though there were a few exceptions. They didn’t make him feel subhuman but they just weren’t overly friendly, preferring to keep emotionally detached from other members. It wasn’t personal. They treated everyone that way, whether Species or human.

He glanced up at the sky, judging that he’d been gone from the cabin long enough. He’d left in a hurry when he’d fled from Beauty. The temptation to share sex with her had been nearly overpowering until he realized he had her pinned on a counter. She deserved better than to be taken in the kitchen. Guilt hit hard and fast.

Beauty deserved a bed and a male who knew more about sex to make certain she enjoyed it. That male should know soft, pretty words to speak to her yet he felt as if he was constantly putting his foot in his mouth. She’d wanted him to kiss her. Her head tilting back and her lips parting while she’d closed her eyes had been a good indication. There was only one problem. He’d never kissed a female before.

“Shit.”

He got to his feet and started back to the cabin. One way or another, he needed to figure out how to give Beauty what she needed. He wanted to do right by her and more importantly, he just wanted her. Wrath had been right. No one would have been able to force him to escort her to Reservation unless, deep down, he’d wanted it. He wouldn’t deny that truth. He might not be the right male for her but he wished he were.

The cabin came into sight and a deep sense of relief settled into him when he saw smoke curling from the chimney.

Beauty sat on the couch, holding a small paperback book when he entered. Her dark eyes lifted and his heart stuttered inside his chest. The urge to go to her, sink to his knees and just touch her gripped him hard. She’d changed clothes while he was gone—something that showed less skin. He wondered if she’d done it in response to him fleeing earlier.

“Hi.” She closed the book after carefully placing a bookmark inside. “You were gone for hours.”

“I needed to think.”

“Are you leaving? Will they send another officer here to guard me or will we just return to Homeland together?”

“Do you want to return? Do you want another male here with you?” A protest froze on his tongue. He refused to force her to stay with him. He’d do whatever she wanted, even if it killed him.

“No.” She leaned forward.

“Good.” He stepped into the cabin, closed the door at his back and twisted the lock. “I enjoy being here with you.”

Some of the tension left her delicate features. “Really?”

“Yes.” He hated feeling as if he were a failure as a male. “I’m attracted to you, Beauty. What I feel is a bit fearsome.”

Her lips parted. “You’re afraid of me?”

“I’m not sure how to handle the emotions I feel when I’m around you. I’ve never experienced them before.”

“Me neither.” She patted the couch next to her. “Will you sit?”

He crossed the room and gingerly perched on the edge of the cushion about a foot away from her. The wonderful scent of her made his dick twitch. Why did he always feel sweaty, nervous and highly aroused when she was near? All his confidence fled.

“What are you reading?”

“A romance book.”

He glanced at it, amused at the cover of a male and female locked in an embrace. “Are they interesting?”

“Yes. I think so anyway.”

“Is that all you read?”

“No. I love horror novels too.”

That surprised him. “You do?”

“Yes. Especially the crime ones. Who-done-it types of books.” She paused. “I had access to children’s mystery books in the basement. I found a box of them stored in a corner behind some furniture. There were only fourteen of them but I knew them by heart from reading them so many times.” That was back when she’d been free to roam the entire basement. Later a room had been built to contain her to one area.

“I’m glad you learned to read.”

“Me too. One of the guards was nice to me when I was young. I think he pitied me. He had a daughter.”

She wasn’t going to admit that Master had found out and fired the man. Mentioning Master always soured Shadow’s mood. That guard had been the one and only person who’d ever done anything for her without expecting something in return.

“Do you read books?”

“Sometimes. There were long stretches of downtime when I worked for the task force but then we’d have days where it seemed I barely closed my eyes before we were pulling out again.”

“Was it exciting?”

“Sometimes.”

“Were you ever afraid?”

“We raided buildings and homes looking for ex-Mercile employees. Sometimes they fired back. A lot of times they’d be long gone.”

“It sounds frightening but I’m so grateful the task force exists. They found me.”

“I know.” His hand gently took hers. “Are you still having nightmares about the task force member?”

“No.” She smiled. “I haven’t. Not since I met you.”

He pondered what that meant but it didn’t matter as long as she slept easier. “Are you hungry? I am.”