“No. I just wanted to feel alive.”

Her answer astounded him and drew his full attention to her again. He wished he could see her face. Thunder shook the ground under them. The storm seemed to be drawing closer. He knew then it would be safer to move her despite the downpour. They were in the open. Lightning flashed overhead brightly and his head snapped up to watch the jagged line of it. It was too close. Thunder followed almost immediately.

“I’m moving you. Just remain calm. You have my word as a Species officer that I’d never hurt you, Beauty. I know you must be terrified but there is no reason. I’m not a human.”

He hated to expose her to the rain but didn’t see any other choice. He rose quickly to his knees, his hands slid in the slick grass under her arms to grip her rib cage and he gently lifted her. She didn’t weigh much as he stood with her held tightly against his body. His shoulder hunched and he tucked his head to keep the rain off her as much as possible. He spun and hurried back toward his cart. Her legs rubbed his where she rested lengthwise against him.

“I’m not afraid.”

He heard her words and breathed a little easier. “Good. You’re very brave.” Gift Females were terrified of all males after being abused by humans.

Her arms hugged him around his neck and a second later her legs lifted to wrap around his waist. It made it easier for him to carry her and he appreciated that she trusted him enough to cling to him. He picked up the pace and made it to the thick trees. They’d barely entered them when a loud noise sounded, putting him on full alert. He paused before spinning in a new direction and dashing for safety.

“Hold on. That’s hail.”

He evaded the tree trunks and lightning flashes showed him the way as he made it to the sports equipment building. He barely paused before lifting his leg and slamming his boot into the door. The lock easily gave under the power of his kick. He stepped inside just as the chunks of ice pelted the roof. He released her waist with one arm to blindly search for the door and slam it closed.

It was loud inside the small building—more of a shed—as the exterior was hammered by the hail. His hand explored the wall until he found the light switch. The one bulb in the ceiling wasn’t overly bright but he was grateful for it as he glanced around the confined space.

“We’re safe in here.” He leaned back enough to see her face, looking for injuries.

Her big eyes were more curious than afraid as she studied him as intently as he did her. The color of them was a soft brown and she had really long dark eyelashes. All her features were delicate and assured him once again that she was primate Species.

“Are you all right?”

“Yes.”

He glanced at the front of her thin nightgown and forgot how to breathe. The material was wet, plastered to her as if it were a second skin and transparent enough for him to see exactly how she’d look naked. The dusky, taut tips of her nipples were clearly visible. They were beautiful temptations he instantly wanted to touch and explore.

Bad. Real bad, he chastised himself, tearing his gaze away to look anywhere but at her. He hated how his body reacted so easily to the sight of her breasts. His dick filled with blood and he had to swallow since he was almost salivating to suck one of them into his mouth to taste.

He’d allowed his instincts to take over while chasing her and they were still too close to the surface for him to easily regain control of his responses. He frantically looked for a safe place to put her down and his attention caught on the large bench-box housing the baseball equipment. He stepped forward and lowered her.

“Sit.”

Her arms and legs released him and he let go of her the second he knew she wouldn’t fall over. Shadow spun, searching for an emergency radio but didn’t find one. He stared at the door. The noise of the storm intensified and wind battered the walls.

“Are you okay?”

Her voice was so soft he barely heard her. No. His dick was hard and he couldn’t risk her noticing. She’d probably scream, fearing he’d attack. “Everything is fine,” he lied, keeping his back to her. “I’m going to go out there and radio for help.”

“You can’t.” Her voice grew louder, less timid. “It sounds dangerous.”

He turned his head, tempted to explain why he needed to leave. Innocence stared back at him when he met her gaze. “My cart isn’t too far from here. I need to contact Security and let them know what happened. We need a female officer on scene.”

“Why?”

He hesitated. “You’re Gift.”

She blinked and her mouth turned downward as if she didn’t understand.

“It’s procedure to call in another female to attend you,” he explained.

“I’m fine.”

Her arms lifted to hug her chest and it hid her nipples but the mounds were still a tempting sight. Her wrists were too small to cover much. Shadow experienced guilt at noting that fact and he jerked his gaze to her face. She was a pretty female with pale features. A few strands of her hair were stuck to her cheek.

“You’re wet and not as sturdy as other Species. You need medical care.”

“I can’t deny the wet part.” She grabbed a handful of dripping hair that fell to her waist and glanced at it then looked at him. A small smile appeared. “It’s a good thing I’m not part rat.”

Shadow stared at her, surprised that she was so calm. She almost seemed amused by the situation.

“You know, ‘drowned rat’? It was a joke. I heard monkeys can’t swim though. I wonder if that’s true. I’ve never tried it before.”

This wasn’t going as he’d imagined. He’d thought she would be screaming, perhaps bursting into tears, but she just released her hair to peer around the cramped room.

“What is this place?”

“We store sports equipment here.”

“Oh. Are they fun to play? I’m not allowed. I’ve watched though and it looks enjoyable.”

“It depends on the sport.” He almost turned around but then remembered why he kept his back to her. His dick refused to comply with his brain, which was ordering it not to be interested in the Gift Female.

A shiver ran down her small frame and Shadow softly growled. Her gaze darted to him and widened. A hint of fear finally showed in her eyes.

“Sorry,” he rasped. “I’m not angry or anything. I just hate that you’re cold. I need to get you help.” He reached for the door.

“Stop!”

His hand hovered over the handle when he glanced back at her. She’d risen to her feet. The white nightgown hugged every curve of her body and made him aware she wasn’t similar to the Species females he was accustomed to. Her hips were fuller, her belly softer and she was little. He guessed she couldn’t be more than just an inch over five feet tall. One thing was certain. She wasn’t wearing underwear. His gaze paused at the thin material plastered to her middle before he stared at the floor.

“Please don’t risk your life by walking out into that storm. Just wait for it to pass. This is my fault. I shouldn’t have left the dorm but I wasn’t thinking rationally at the time. I’d never forgive myself if something happened to you.”

“I’ll be fine.” His chest puffed up a little, his pride injured. “I’m tougher than a little hail.”

“I don’t doubt that. You look fierce in your uniform and you’re very big.”

He glanced at her face, worried that she might be afraid if she noticed those things. No fear showed in her gaze though as they examined each other. He wasn’t sure what to do.

“Please don’t go.” She stepped closer. “Would it be so bad to wait out the storm with me?”

He held back a groan. “You’re Gift and you need assistance from another female.”

Her chin lifted and anger flashed in her eyes. “I know the rules but I’m not afraid of you. It’s just stupid to leave here to get help when I don’t need it.”

“I’m a male.”