“Oh god.” She clutched at his back, finding bare skin around his tank top. Her nails dug in a little but she tried not to draw blood. He just felt too good.

“I have control.” He took a deep breath. “I have control. I have control.”

“I believe you.”

He buried his face against her neck. “I’m convincing myself. Slow and steady.”

That was how he moved on top of her. She moaned and lifted her legs higher, digging her heels into his firm ass. The muscles flexed with every thrust and he adjusted his hips, hitting a new spot. She moaned louder, clinging to him.

“Fuck,” he groaned.

He brushed kisses along the column of her throat and then he bit down on her shoulder. It didn’t hurt but the slight bite had a wonderful effect on her body. The pleasure built until another cl**ax struck. It wasn’t as intense at the first one but it left her moaning his name and twitching.

Smiley released her neck from his teeth and sucked in a sharp breath. He snarled something she couldn’t understand then drove into her faster. She felt him come, his shaft pulsing like a heartbeat against her vaginal walls. He stilled his h*ps and panted with her.

Smiley’s hand brushed her cheek and she opened her eyes to find him staring at her.

“Did I hurt you?” He kept caressing her.

“No.”

He smiled. “We’ll work this out.”

“Work what out?”

“Breaking you of your shyness.” He laughed. “You liked showing me your sex, didn’t you? Do you see what you’ve missed?”

She tried to look away but he moved his face with her. She had no choice but to meet his gaze again. He waited for an answer so she gave him one. “I liked that a lot.”

“Liked? I’ll have to try harder. You said you only want a male to touch you when you feel love. I’ll get you there.”

She closed her eyes. He wanted her to love the sex but she was afraid she was going to fall in love with him. Her heart and body were connected. It was a package deal with her.

“Vanni? Look at me.” He kept hold of her face but stopped brushing his thumb along her cheek.

She couldn’t resist. His smile had vanished and the seriousness of his gaze held her full attention.

“That was apparently a bad joke. I meant to put you at ease. As I said, we will work this out. I want it too. There’s something powerful between us.”

“Your muscles?” She could try humor too.

His lips twitched. “You look tired.”

“I didn’t sleep much last night.”

“Nor did I. We need a nap.”

She nodded.

He slowly withdrew from her body. She hated the separation. The second he was off her though, she frantically shoved her shirt down to cover her lower half. Vanni sat up and reached for the edge of the couch to stand but Smiley gripped her hand instead. She looked up at him. He’d tugged his pants up but they weren’t zipped. The V of skin showing was an attention getter.

He pulled her to her feet and then surprised her by letting her hand go as he bent. One of his arms wrapped around her back and he hooked her behind her knees, just scooping her up as he straightened.

“I’m sleeping with you.” He turned with her in his arms. “We just shared sex and all I want to do now is strip us both na**d and hold you close.”

She put her arm around his neck and didn’t protest. He carried her down the hallway into the bedroom. “How did you know I picked this one?”

“Scent. I’d know yours anywhere.”

Vanni bit her lip and said nothing. It was a strange thing but he was New Species. He gently set her on the bed and stood. He tore his tank top off and then shoved his jeans down. She stared at his body, a little in awe. Every ripple of muscle displayed on his arms, chest, and stomach were testament to how fit he was.

“Jeez.”

Smiley froze. “What’s wrong?”

“Your body is perfect.”

He blinked at her a few times. “No.” He turned around.

Faint scars marred his lower spine. She was on her feet and reaching her trembling hand outward before she gave it any thought. Smiley peered at her over his shoulder. She jerked her fingertips away, worried he might not want her to do that.

“You can touch me anywhere.” He seemed to guess her thoughts. “They don’t hurt.”

She traced one of the thicker ones. “How did you get these?”

“I killed one of the technicians and this was my punishment. They whipped me. It was worth it. He abused females.”

Horror washed through her. “Oh Smiley.”

He spun to face her. “I’m not perfect. That’s why I showed you those. I’ve had to kill to survive or to make certain others of my kind survived.” A muscle in his jaw jerked. “Do you want me to leave?”

She shook her head. “No. Why would you even ask that?”

“The look in your eyes. You’re revolted.”

“By what was done to you. Not anything else.”

He reached out and took her hand, stroking the back of it with his thumb. “It’s important that you know the real me. I usually have a good temperament but I will kill to protect those I care for. I’d kill for you.”

Her knees felt a little weak. She may have swayed a little on her feet because Smiley took a step closer and wrapped his arm around her waist, helping to steady her. No man had ever said those words to her but she could tell he meant them.