“I’ll be right back.”

He left the room. One glance at the nightstand assured her he’d taken the cell phone. She really wanted to dial the number for Agent Brice. He had a lot of explaining to do and she had some choice words to say to him. He’d lied and she’d been used. True wouldn’t make that up.

She huddled on his bed. One sweeping glance across the room revealed he didn’t display many mementos or personal items. It reminded her more of a hotel room than a home. It made her sad. She wished there were mementos on his walls or at least some photos of friends to indicate he had a lot of people in his life.

True disconnected the call and ground his teeth in frustration. The task force team seemed leery of Jeanie’s story. Trey had listened to him until Tim came on the phone a few minutes into the conversation. The male again demanded she be returned to his custody. It wasn’t going to happen.

A slight noise in the other room alerted him to Jeanie’s movements. He stalked to the doorway and peered inside. She’d slipped out of bed, had crossed the room and stood in front of his dresser.

“What are you doing?”

She jumped and spun around, eyes wide. Suspicion surfaced that she might be searching for a weapon. He wanted to trust her but refused to be made a fool of again.

“I didn’t want to disturb you but I was hoping I might be able to borrow some of your clothes.”

“Why?”

She waved a hand down the front of her body. “I’m not a huge fan of these gowns. They are kind of uncomfortable and they didn’t have anything else for me to wear at the hospital.”

“There are shirts in the top drawer. You may borrow one.” The idea of his clothing against her bare skin created an odd, possessive reaction inside him. He didn’t like it one bit but refused to deny her comfort.

“Do you have any boxers or drawstring shorts?”

“Third drawer down.”

“Thank you.” She appeared emotionally torn as she just stood there. “I hate that this is so awkward between us. I imagined things would be different if we ever saw each other again.”

Curiosity became too strong to resist. “How so?”

“It never crossed my mind that you’d think I was one of the bad guys.”

“You’re female.” He hoped a little humor would ease the tense situation.

“You know what I mean.” She sighed. “Thank you for at least giving me the benefit of a doubt by bringing me here instead of allowing them to take me to prison.”

He took a cautious step closer, then another, before coming to a halt. “You never harmed me or any others I spoke to from Drackwood. Fuller is a bad place for females. One was killed there a few months ago. I refuse to allow you to be put in danger.”

“Killed? You mean executed?”

“Not by us.” He regretted the fear he identified on her features. “The guards there allow the inmates a little exercise sometimes by having them walk between the cages. The female’s cell door wasn’t locked by mistake and she was attacked by other prisoners when they freed some of the males. The guards weren’t able to save her.”

She took a step back and bumped into his dresser. “That’s horrible. They beat her to death?”

“You don’t want the details. She didn’t die well.”

“Thank you for believing me. I’m afraid of Polanitis. He has to know I’m the reason Drackwood got busted. I never called in sick for work except the day of the raid. He’d do anything to get even.”

True felt grateful she didn’t question him further about the human who was killed. “I want to believe everything you say.”

She flinched. “It’s hard to trust me. I understand.”

He didn’t enjoy seeing the unhappiness on her face. “You can change your clothes in the bathroom.” His gaze ran down her body, lingering a little too long on her shapely, attractive legs. “I want you comfortable.”

She turned away. The dresser was tall and she had to ease up on tiptoe to peer inside when she opened the top drawer. He immediately went to her aid. True’s torso pressed against her back when he reached around her, his hand brushing hers as he grabbed a shirt.

Jeanie sucked a sharp breath, her head jerking in his direction to stare at his face. He studied her features. “I’m not going to hurt you.”

“I know.” She didn’t edge away.

She smelled sweet. The lingering scent of her fear played hell on his libido. It would be easy to wrap an arm around her waist, lift her off her feet and carry her to his bed just steps away. He became aware of their size differences. He’d never mounted a human but wanted to.

The golden brown of her eyes was absolutely beautiful. His gaze lowered to her slightly parted lips. The urge to kiss them formed as his body responded to the soft curves of her ass lightly touching his thighs. The two hospital gowns she wore were thin, easy to get rid of. He fisted the shirt and pulled it out of the drawer.

“Go into the bathroom to change. Close the door,” he managed to get out as he put a little space between them. The way his voice deepened couldn’t be helped.

“Are you okay?”

“Yes. I’ve barely gotten any sleep in the past two days.” He refused to admit his bad mood wasn’t the result of weariness. He wanted Jeanie. She’d probably scream if he attempted to mount her.

“Go now,” he ordered, his control about to slip. She smelled too good, was too close and his dick grew harder with each passing second. She’d notice if he didn’t get her away from him. He shoved the shirt at her. “Take this. It’s really soft and one of my favorites.”