“There’s nothing you could tell me that would change how I feel about you. I’ve done some reading on New Species and I heard rumors that sometimes some of you would end up killing the jerks who held you. Is that it? Did you kill some of them? If that’s it, I’d award you a medal. They deserved it for everything they did.”

The pain reflected in his eyes tore her apart.

“That isn’t it.”

She took a deep breath. “Just tell me. The worst thing is keeping a secret. Once it’s out, we can deal with it.”

He gripped her hand and his gaze drifted away from her to stare at the carpet near their feet. Lauren waited patiently, didn’t want to push him, and wondered if he’d really talk to her. She was hopeful.

“My life in the testing facility was rough.”

She squeezed his hand but remained silent, waiting for any details he wanted to share.

“But then they moved a few of us to a new place. There was Shadow and another male we didn’t know. He had a mate but the humans killed her.”

Tears filled her eyes at the horror of what he must have seen and endured but she kept silent, waiting. He refused to look at her and she saw his mouth tense, a coldness seep into his stare, and his voice deepened with emotion.

“They drugged me to make me aroused, hooked me to a machine and showed me videos of human na**d women touching themselves to force my seed from my body. They would do it for hours until the pain became too much and I would pass out. I grew to hate the sight of human females.” He paused and finally lifted his gaze to hers. “I feel rage, thinking about what was done to me, the humiliation I suffered, and I know you aren’t responsible but I’m afraid of losing control. I might have a flashback and cause you pain.”

Lauren blinked back tears. “I’m so sorry, Wrath. You’re a victim and you’re right—I wasn’t there and I’d never be a part of that.” She gripped his hand tighter. “They can’t hurt you anymore and we don’t have to have sex if you aren’t ready. We could hold each other. I’m okay with that. I don’t believe for a second that you’d hurt me though. You’re the gentlest man I’ve ever met.”

His eyebrows arched.

“I mean that. The way you touch me is special and you make me feel that way too.”

A soft growl rumbled from his throat. “I never believed I’d be attracted to a human female but you’re all I want.”

“I’m right here. We can do whatever you want or what you feel comfortable with.”

“Do you see me as less now?” There was a catch in his voice. “Less male now that you know what was done to me? I should have been stronger and resisted more. They took my seed by force.”

Her heart broke. “No. God no, Wrath.” She moved, released his hand and climbed onto his lap. He let her and she wrapped her arms around his neck, pressed her face against his throat and clung to him. “You’re amazing, strong, determined and brave. You hunt down those ass**les that hurt your people. That’s so noble and yeah, brave. I admire you and think you’re the sexiest guy ever. I’m so glad you came into my life.”

His arms wrapped around her and he clung. “I want you but I’m afraid.”

Her lips pressed against his skin and she kissed him. “I’m not afraid of you. Why don’t you get naked? I love holding you.”

“I want that.” His voice deepened again.

She leaned up enough to see his eyes and smiled. “We’ll just take everything slow and see how it goes. You’re highly overdressed.”

He chuckled and suddenly lifted her off his lap, placed her in the middle of the bed and rose to his feet. “Give me a moment to fix that.”

He stripped out of the shirt, revealing that wonderful array of perfectly sculpted abs first then his broad shoulders. The discarded shirt hit the floor. He bent, tore off his shoes and straightened. Lauren held her breath as he reached for the front of his pants and opened them. She loved the expanse of skin that assured her he was going commando.

“No boxers?”

“They didn’t have the kind I like. I’d rather do without.”

“I like you without.”

He chuckled and shoved the pants down, freeing his cock, and impressing her by revealing how thick and hard he was. He might not be ready for sex but his body said otherwise. He stepped out of the jeans, kicked them away and hesitated.

“I don’t want to just hold you.”

Her gaze lingered on his hard-on. “I see that. I’m all for anything you want to do with me.”

A soft growl came from him as he slowly took a step toward the bed. Lauren stretched out on her back, hesitated then spread her arms and legs apart on the bed. Wrath’s eyes widened and he put a knee on the mattress.

“What are you doing?”

“You’re in charge.” She held his gaze. “I’m all yours.”

The color of his eyes seemed to darken as they widened but he put his hands down flat, crawled over her, and a deep snarl came from his parted lips. “Don’t say that.”

She wasn’t afraid. “That you’re in charge or I’m all yours?”

His gaze lowered down her body and he licked his lips. “That you are mine. I might believe it and you wouldn’t want that.”

“Why?” Her heart raced.

He lowered, his face hovered by her throat and warm breath fanned her there. “You have no idea what I want from you.”