Slade

Slade

Laurann Dohner

Book 2 in the New Species series. The books can be read as stand-alone stories, but it is advisable to read them in order to get the most enjoyment from the series.

Dr. Trisha Norbit is flat on her back in a hospital bed, pinned under a really big New Species male. Though drugged out of his mind, he promises her ecstasy and is determined to deliver—but hospital staff intervenes. 215 is a man Trisha will never forget. But, when she meets him again at Homeland…he doesn’t even remember her!

The nosy new doctor wants to know all about the breeding habits between humans and Species. Slade proposes a hands-on education but she’s not interested in a one-night stand. He can’t offer more because he’s haunted by the memory of a woman he once tried to claim. He’s shocked when he realizes they are one and the same. He’s blown it—she’ll never give him a chance now.

But, when her life is in danger, he’s the only one who can save her. As they flee through the wilderness, their desire ignites and cannot be denied. Hot sex, on the run, has consequences that are even more dangerous and will change their lives forever.

Reader Advisory: There is a scene of an attempted rape.

Ellora’s Cave Publishing

www.ellorascave.com

Slade

ISBN 9781419935831

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Slade Copyright © 2011 Laurann Dohner

Edited by Shannon Combs and Pamela Campbell

Cover art by Syneca

Photography by Vishstudio on Shutterstock.com

Electronic book publication August 2011

The terms Romantica® and Quickies® are registered trademarks of Ellora’s Cave Publishing.

With the exception of quotes used in reviews, this book may not be reproduced or used in whole or in part by any means existing without written permission from the publisher, Ellora’s Cave Publishing, Inc.® 1056 Home Avenue, Akron OH 44310-3502.

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This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental. The characters are productions of the author’s imagination and used fictitiously.

The publisher and author(s) acknowledge the trademark status and trademark ownership of all trademarks, service marks and word marks mentioned in this book.

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SLADE

Laurann Dohner

Dedication

To my always and forever—Mr. Laurann.

Laurann Dohner

Prologue

“Didn’t you used to work for a veterinarian, Trisha?”

Trisha frowned, taking a sip of her iced coffee. Her body tensed when she heard the man’s voice. Dr. Dennis Channer was a prick. He always tried to go out of his way to harass her by any means possible. The guy just had it in for her.

It was difficult for people to get to know her, she’d come to grips with that, but it still hurt her feelings sometimes. She’d graduated high school at the young age of fourteen and by the time she was twenty-four, she’d finished medical school, had completed her residency, and spent a few years in the trenches of some of the toughest hospitals known for incoming trauma victims. At twenty-eight she had landed her dream job at one of the top-rated hospitals within the U.S.

Most people were either intimidated by her or believed she had to be pretty conceited. She wasn’t a snob, didn’t think she was better than anyone else, and she definitely wasn’t a cold fish. Her social skills just sucked. She had always been a bit shy, led a busy life that hadn’t allowed her friendships for the most part, and then there was the fact that few people were friendly to her. It wasn’t easy to warm up to people who gave her the cold shoulder.

Dennis Channer was her boss and he resented the hell out of her. He’d been in his thirties, a full decade older than Trisha, when he’d come to work at Mercy Hospital. He thought her too pretty and he hadn’t hidden his opinion that her looks had landed the job rather than her skill. She’d worked her ass off to get where she had. She’d sacrificed having a personal life for her career.

“Yes, I did. I worked at an emergency veterinarian hospital through med school.”

“No scholarship?” He sneered at her.

She counted to ten silently. “No.”

“You’re up next.” His lined face appeared highly amused, too pleased to suit Trisha. “We have an incoming that is right up your alley.” He laughed, obviously making some private joke, targeting her.

Her teeth clenched to prevent her from saying something she’d regret. She dumped her iced coffee and the rest of her sandwich into the trashcan before following Dennis down the hallway from the lounge. It will probably be another unfortunate soul, Trisha guessed. Dennis loved to toss drunks, vagrants, or gang members her way. Since he’d mentioned alley, a homeless person came to mind.

An image of a highly smelly, unwashed body that would knock her back with its stench flashed through her brain. It might even be one of the crazy ones who would yell about how aliens from Mars were going to kidnap them all. Trisha had dealt with many 6

Slade

of them, unfortunately. A lot of them tended to wrap foil around various body parts to prevent aliens from supposedly scanning them. Removing the stuff to evaluate their injuries usually resulted in at least four of the staff having to hold them down.

Trisha passed Sally, a nurse she had become friends with, as she moved quickly toward the emergency doors. The frightened, grim expression on other woman’s face made Trisha tense more. Whatever was coming in had to be pretty ominous since the woman was one tough cookie, having seen a lot of horrendous things in her fifteen years working the emergency room.

Trisha started to worry. There wasn’t much that scared Sally. The nurse hadn’t even flinched when two weeks before a gang member had been brought in with three gunshot wounds to the back. While they’d been working on the young man, a rival gang had sent one of their members into the emergency room to finish him off. Sally had calmly helped Trisha wheel the unconscious man into a closet to hide him while security cleared the building to locate the armed thug.

Dennis turned, smiling smugly at Trisha. “We have an incoming half man, half dog.”

“That’s not funny.” Trisha sighed. “I dumped my dinner for this? Grow up, Dennis.”

He lifted his hands, still smiling. “I wish this were a joke but I’m serious. He’s been rescued from some Frankenstein research facility for a drug company. We have incoming to different hospitals to the tune of about sixty-five patients. We’re the nearest trauma center and they are flying him to us because he’s the worst of the victims. The onsite paramedics and the life-flight crew have confirmed that this man is human with doggy parts.” Dennis appeared downright gleeful. “And he’s all yours since you know your dogs.”

Trisha put her hands on her hips. “You should have saved this one for April’s Fool’s Day. What is the real story? Are they bringing in a victim wearing a dog suit? Is he a character actor who tripped at some kid’s birthday party while playing a mutt?”

“It’s true,” Sally intervened softly. “It’s on every major channel.” She didn’t play practical jokes on Trisha. Her dark eyes looked anxious. “The cops busted some research facility and they are pulling survivors from the building, saying they are part animal and part people. We do have an incoming life flight with one of them onboard.

We called an emergency vet to back us up but he’s twenty minutes out.”

Shock rippled through Trisha as she struggled to take in the ramifications of what she’d heard. She spun around to stride quickly to the nurse’s station to peer up at the television mounted to the wall. Two nurses were already watching, their eyes glued to the set. A news helicopter circled a building while filming ambulances, police, fire and swat vehicles on the ground. In bold lettering scrolling across the screen she read enough to cause her to spin back around.

“Time?” Trisha shouted.

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Cory, the male nurse who did incoming control, spoke from his tucked-away position behind a desk at the entrance. “They are three minutes out. He’s stable so far.”

“Crap,” Trisha ground out. Her gaze flew to Dennis and she gave him a grim nod.

“What do we know so far?”

“Shaky details at best.” Dennis still smiled. “He’s got blood loss, he’s in shock, and they don’t know what is wrong with Dog Boy. They just scooped him and ran when his vitals crashed. Maybe you can give him a doggy treat and he can bark out his injuries.”

“You’re amused?” Trisha glared at him with disgust. “God, you’re a bastard. This is someone’s life.” She turned her back on him and focused on Sally. “Prep an OR just in case since we don’t know what we’ll be dealing with. Get everyone woken up. We’ll have to cross and match his blood type and I want full panels. We—”

“Don’t carry doggy blood,” Dennis interrupted.

Trisha whirled around and glowered at him. “I’m working here. I’m a professional.

Do you remember what that is?”

His smile died. “Don’t speak to me that way. I’m your boss.”

“You’re only one of them and I’ll go over your head if you don’t back off me right now,” Trisha threatened. “Either help or get out of my way. The life flight should land in under a minute.” She spun on her heel, jogging toward the outer door. She yelled instructions on her way outside to scan the sky.

She heard the helicopter before she saw it. Noises behind her assured that her team moved into place as the doors whished open and she turned her head, throwing her arm up as the helicopter lowered. The wind blown up by the blades made her turn her head even more, tucking it under her loose white coat sleeve to shield most of her face.

Her gaze fixed on Sally and the other two medical personnel who had rolled a gurney outside with them. She hoped she didn’t look as apprehensive as the other three did.

The helicopter touched down.

Only years of experience kept Trisha calm. She barely glanced at the large, covered bundle being lifted from the helicopter. She gave her full attention to the attendant while he yelled out the patient’s vitals and information. Trisha nodded, listening.

“What’s his name?”

“215.”

Trisha frowned at the life-flight medic. He nodded vigorously. “It’s all we have. It is what they called him.”

“Thanks.” Trisha pivoted, hurrying after the gurney being pushed inside. She flashed Cory a glance as she stormed past him. “Get me more information on him. Call the police handling that mess, whatever it takes, but I need to know everything I can about this guy. The only name they have for him is 215.” She yanked gloves out her pocket and pulled them on.

“I’m on it,” Cory promised, grabbing up his phone.

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Trisha loved working with him. He was a “can do” kind of guy. He never bitched, never whined about a thing, and did whatever she asked even if it wasn’t technically his job. She knew he’d do what he could to help. She rushed into the exam room and watched as her team transferred the victim from the gurney onto an exam bed. She moved to his head and her gloved hands reached for his face.

“Let’s go,” Trisha ordered. She glanced at the body being revealed as her team began removing his clothing. The victim had dirt smeared on his face and body, some of it dried clumps of mud, making it difficult to make out his features.

“Look at this,” Sally muttered. “His clothes have Velcro on the sides instead of seams.”

“Handy,” Pete grunted. “Help me roll him, Ally. He’s a big son of a bitch.”

“Possible knife wound to the lower back,” Ally noted. “Four inches at least.” She probed the wound with her gloved hands. “It isn’t deep.”

“We have some burns on his right shoulder,” Pete added. “Second degree, so not bad. I think someone used Taser darts on him. There are small puncture wounds centered in the affected areas. What kind of weapon causes burns? I’ve never seen this before.”

Trisha had been feeling his head. “He’s got a lump but no visible bleeding. Order a CT scan.” She released him and gripped her mini flashlight. She gently opened one eyelid, seeing he had beautiful blue eyes. She flashed her light in each eye, checked responses. Her relief was instant when his pupils reacted perfectly. She touched his throat, feeling for anything off. No obvious broken bones, no swelling, she mentally ticked off the checklist inside her head. She focused on his mouth next and pulled apart his lips. And gasped.

Her team froze, all focused on her. Trisha shook herself from the stunned moment.

She stared at the sharp teeth inside the patient’s mouth. They resembled vampire fangs.

She carefully reached between his full lips and spread his jaw farther apart to check inside his mouth and get a look at his airway.

“Are those dog teeth?” Pete’s voice came out shaky.

“Gunshot wound to the left thigh,” Ally announced. “Through and through.”

“Bleeding?” Trisha released the patient’s mouth.

“Manageable but he’s nicked an artery. The medics pressure patched it. His blood pressure is stable at the moment. The fluids they pushed in transit seem to have helped.”

“Let’s move him to OR as soon as we’re done. Wrap it up. It should be prepped and waiting for us.”

Trisha ignored the other staff who dashed in and out of the exam room grabbing samples from the victim. She had faith in her team and they worked well together.

Mercy Hospital had a reputation of only hiring the best staff. They carefully rolled the patient onto his side and searched every inch of his skin.

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“Needle marks on his right ass cheek,” Sally noted. “He isn’t a junky. He would have to be pretty flexible to reach there and with those guns he has, men aren’t real flexible.”

“He has a gun?” Trisha yanked her hands away from the patient. “Where? Be careful.”

Sally laughed for the first time. “Not a real gun. Guns, Trisha. Don’t you know that means big, buff muscles? The guy is total beefcake. Didn’t you notice?”

Trisha shook her head, relieved the guy wasn’t armed. “Let’s get him into the OR

and check out that thigh. It’s still bleeding.” She examined the gunshot wound. She prodded the holes on each side where the bullet had gone through.

“Let’s move, people,” Ally ordered.

Trisha headed for the door. “I’ll scrub up.”

She made it to the hallway before she was brought to a stop where Dr. Jose Roldio blocked her path. He looked pale. “I have this one, Trisha. Thanks.” He shoved past her.

Trisha stood there stunned for a few seconds that Jose had just taken over her patient’s care without her asking for a consult. She leaped out of the way quickly though when her team wheeled the unconscious man from the exam room. She stared at the patient’s face now that she had time to think, her mind allowing impressions to register. He had long, thick, brown hair with blond streaks threaded through it. His eyes had been unusually colored—dark blue with lighter blue streaks swirling in the irises, making them really beautiful. She tore her bloody gloves off and stormed to a trashcan. It irritated her badly that she wasn’t the one who’d operate on him.

Trisha found herself back inside the doctor’s lounge six patients later. She sipped another iced coffee and tried to cool down. Jose Roldio was one of the leading trauma surgeons in the country and the patient was important, newsworthy. It shouldn’t bother her so much that he’d come running from wherever he’d been to take over the man’s care but it did. Her shoulders slumped. She always wanted to follow through with her patients.

The door behind her opened, drawing her attention. She met the gaze of the devil himself as Dr. Roldio walked in looking worn out. He nodded at her, moving for the coffee machine. Trisha twisted in her chair to face him.

“Did he make it?”

“Yeah. I had to repair an artery but that was the worst of it. The bleeding wasn’t as bad as we thought. The vet guy showed up but he was too afraid to touch our patient.

He just took up space inside my operating room. You saw the patient’s abnormalities.

That’s not from plastic surgery. I checked while he was on my table. They somehow made that guy. He’s got enough anomalies that I’m convinced he’s not totally human.

Can you believe this shit? I mean, Jesus.”

“Were we able to match his blood?” That mystery had bothered Trisha’s thoughts for hours.

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“No. We gave him universal plasma and he didn’t reject it. He’s stable now but I had to send him up to ICU, considering we have no idea what we’re dealing with. We got word from the division handling this nightmare that some of these people are kind of dangerous. We had to put guards outside his door for his protection and ours. I guess there are news crews camping at reception trying to sneak inside too.” Jose slumped into a chair as he met Trisha’s gaze. “I didn’t mean to step on your toes. I think you’re a great doctor but this one was over my head. The big guys were afraid he’d die so they called me in. The shit is going to hit the fan worldwide over this.”

Trisha shrugged. “I understand.” She smiled. “It made me mad at first but I calmed down. It’s your specialty.”

“I left your name with security.” He smiled back. “I figured I owed you and thought you might want to look in on him. I know you always do that with your patients.”

She sipped her drink. “Why would you have to leave my name? My hospital badge will be enough to get me into ICU to check on him.”

“The guy is a medical freak.” Jose sighed. “We’re having a problem with everyone on staff wanting to gawk at him. They are worried someone will take pictures of him to sell to the media too. Someone spread it around that he’s got vampire teeth.”

“Canine. There’s a difference.”

“Whatever. He’s a freak and the hospital is terrified of breaking confidentiality.

We’ve got a great rep for protecting our patients. We’ve had to restrict access to him but you are authorized to check on him.” The doctor stood. “I have to get home to my wife.

We were on our way to dinner when they paged me and she didn’t take it well. It’s her birthday.”

“Hit the gift shop to buy her chocolate on your way out.” Trisha winked. “I’d forgive anything for a few pounds of that.”

Jose laughed. “My wife isn’t so magnanimous. I think I need to call a jeweler. Please check on him for me so I can get some sleep. They’ll page me if needed.” He saluted her as he left.

* * * * *

Trisha yawned. She’d been on shift for far too long and it was time to head home.

She thought about her soft bed and she couldn’t wait to throw herself onto it. She flashed her badge at the security officer.

“I’m Dr. Trisha Norbit. Dr. Jose Roldio asked me to check in on a patient of his.”

The guard read his clipboard. “Go on in, Dr. Norbit. You’re cleared.”

Trisha walked into the ICU and nodded at a nurse monitoring from the station, someone Trisha had spoken to a few times. She didn’t know many people who worked the day shift and there had just been a shift change. She glanced at the ICU board and 11

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knew which room he’d been assigned immediately. The numbers 215 were written on the board. She turned, going to room three.

Trisha eased the door open slowly. The man sprawled on the bed had been cleaned up and his hair washed. It flowed down over his shoulders and she couldn’t help but notice the way it looked, as though streaks of golden sand were running through lines of wet, darker sand. He looked a lot different without dirt and mud clumps smeared over him. He was handsome. He had a very masculine, strong face with beautiful bone structure.

She reached for his chart to study it. Her gaze lifted to him again, her attention going to his bare, broad chest where taped-on leads that connected him to the monitors marred his skin. She gawked a little at his thick, toned arms. Guns. She hadn’t heard that term before but he was extremely muscular. Maybe he is a bodybuilder. Her gaze lowered to his drug screen panel as she thumbed through his chart. She looked for any known drugs that bodybuilders used but he’d tested negative for them. He was only positive for a well-known sedative.

Trisha returned his chart to the holder and walked closer. She stopped at the side of his bed and put her hands on the raised bedrail bar that prevented him from rolling out of bed. She studied his face closely, fascinated. His cheekbones were more pronounced than a typical human and his nose wider and shaped…different. She bit her lip as she leaned closer to get a better look at the generous lips that hid his canine teeth well, until they were pulled back. She only hesitated for a second before digging into her pocket to slip on a glove before she reached for his mouth, intent on getting a second look at those teeth while she had the opportunity.

His full lips were soft, perfectly formed, and warm. She hadn’t noticed that last night but she’d been too busy assessing injuries, not facial traits. She gently used her gloved fingers to pull down on his lower lip. His bottom teeth appeared normal except his side teeth were sharp, canine style. She used her thumb to gently lift his top lip as she bent forward to get a closer look and gently cupped his face in her ungloved palm.

She opened his jaw wider and held his mouth open. She had to stretch over his chest to get a better look, studying what she saw.

She visually examined the extended teeth, the sharp points, and wished she knew more about dentistry. She leaned lower, realized her hair fell on his bare chest but wasn’t concerned about waking him. He’d been heavily sedated during surgery and it would be hours before he woke. Her face hovered mere inches from his mouth while she examined his back teeth, and took mental notes. The upper and lower molars were definitely canine, sharper than human teeth. His abnormal teeth were there for tearing and chewing.

Trisha pulled her finger and thumb out of his mouth to allow it to close, still cradling his chin on her palm. She looked at his face again to study his flatter, wider nose but instead she found herself staring into a pair of wide-open, amazing blue eyes that peered right back into her startled ones.

“Hi,” he rasped softly in a gruff rumble.

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Trisha jumped. It startled her that the patient was awake when he shouldn’t be. She tried to pull away from him but two hands grabbed her arms. Her hip banged the side of the bed when he yanked on her hard, pulling her down on top of him. Pain shot through her hip from the impact with the metal rail when he flipped her into the narrow space next to him. His weight crushed her body into the mattress when he rolled on top of her, pinning her under him.

Trisha began to struggle after a few seconds when she realized what had happened.

The patient’s hands slid along her arms to grasp her wrists, yanked them above her head, and a loud growl tore from his throat. The sound was surprising, so scary and vicious that it froze Trisha with instant terror. She stared up at the very masculine face hovering inches above hers. His strangely hypnotic eyes seemed to look right into her soul as he studied her intently until his eyes narrowed. His tongue slid from between his generous lips to swipe across his lower one.

“You’re new. Didn’t they warn you to never cross the kill-zone line?” His gaze lowered to her throat but returned to her face. “And it was really stupid not to chain me down. Didn’t they give you the rundown on how to handle us, Doc? You never remove the restraints.”

She found her voice finally. “You’re in a hospital. You’re going to be fine.”

He frowned. Trisha was pinned under him, his body pressed tightly against hers from breast to feet. She also couldn’t ignore his heavy weight or the fact that his body totally blanketed hers.

“I don’t know if I should mount or kill you,” he growled softly. He shifted his body over hers suddenly, causing Trisha to gasp when something hard pressed against her.

There was no mistaking the fact he had an erection when he settled on her again, pressing his hardened cock right against the seam of her thighs. “My vote is mounting you since I’d hate to kill something so beautiful.” He grinned at her. It frightened Trisha when she saw his sharp teeth. “Ever wanted to be fucked by an animal, beauty?”

“I’m Doc―”

“I don’t care,” he growled softly, cutting her off. “Kiss me, beauty. Then I’ll show you what you’ve been missing. I’ve decided to mount you. I just can’t resist.” His nostrils flared as he inhaled and a deep groan rumbled from his parted lips. “I’m so hard for you and you smell so good.”

Panic seized Trisha. She screamed. “Help!”

215 stared down at her and smiled. “No one would be stupid enough to come inside this room to try to save you, beauty. You took the restraints off and now you’re mine.”

He adjusted her, putting both her wrists in one hand by holding them together with his spread fingers, freeing his other hand to trail down her body. His hand hesitated on the curve of her breast long enough to make her gasp before it flattened over her ribs, then inched lower to her hip. He shifted over her enough to slide his roaming hand between her and the bed, took a firm hold on her ass cheek and squeezed.

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“Your ass is mine, sweet thing. Don’t worry though. I’m not going to hurt you and I definitely won’t kill you. I like you a hell of a lot. I just decided I’m going to keep you with me for a few days, Doc. I’m going to do things to you that will make you never want to leave this room. You’ll want me mounting you as much as you want to eat or breathe air by the time I’m forced to release you.”

A loud alarm suddenly blared inside the room. Trisha stared at the man who continued to smile at her. His hand on her ass gripped her more firmly as he shifted his body, forcing his hips between her legs and spreading her thighs when he parted his.

The hard ridge of his cock rubbed against the vee of her pants. Her eyes widened at the feel of him pressed so tightly against her.

“You’re going to want me as much as I do you,” he promised in a husky tone.

He leaned down closer to Trisha, his gaze leaving hers. He nuzzled her face with his cheek, pushing against her until she turned her head away. His lips brushed her throat, opened, and he licked her skin and groaned. Shock jolted through her when he nipped her skin there, but worse, his hips started to move at the same moment. The rigid length of his shaft rubbed directly against her clit through their clothing. Her body jerked under him, tensed, and he growled, his jaw tightening on her shoulder.

It half horrified her when her body responded to him. Her nipples hardened, her stomach quivered, and pleasure at his rocking hips massaging her clit, even through layers of clothing, made her pant. Being restrained had never been a fantasy of hers but suddenly she couldn’t help but be turned on that a powerful, handsome, and very dangerous male controlled her body. She fought it, tried to reason with her physical responses with cold logic but her mind didn’t want to work.

He groaned against her throat, his mouth releasing her. “I can’t wait to taste every inch of you. I’m going to bury my face between your thighs and fuck you with my tongue until you beg me to make you come, beauty. I know you’re going to taste as sweet as you scent.” He growled louder. “Then I’m going to flip you over, put your ass in the air, and mount you until you come again.”

Trisha arched against him. The image he painted inside her mind, combined with the stimulation of her clit, nearly made her climax before he did any of those things. She knew if he didn’t stop moving his hips she would. Her clit throbbed and she bit her lip hard not to moan.

The doors to his room suddenly burst open loudly as at least six people rushed inside. The disturbance may as well have been cold water dousing the flames of Trisha’s runaway libido. The man on top of her jerked his head toward them and a loud, terrifying snarl erupted from his throat.

“Sedate him,” Trisha yelled, her mind working again.

Orderlies and security guards dived on the patient. He tried to twist to face them with a roar of rage, his intent to fight them clear. His hands released her and he tried to push his body up to throw off the men trying to hold him down. Trisha was terrified he’d get hurt and threw her arms around his neck, wrapping her legs around his thighs 14

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to try to help keep him down. He thrashed, his cock rubbing against her tighter, making her more aware of how turned on she was. She saw two orderlies jabbing needles into him as they sprawled across his back to hold him down.

Mean growls tore from his throat but he finally stopped struggling. His body grew lax and his dead weight settled on top her the way a smothering, heavy blanket would until she couldn’t even draw breath. She was only able to get free when two orderlies, a security guard and two nurses lifted the big man off Trisha enough for her to scoot out from under him after the side rail was lowered.

Trisha was sweating and panting by the time she rose unsteadily to her feet. The patient was sedated and facedown on the bed. She stared at him, trembled, and was deeply disturbed by what had happened. They’d probably be having sex if she hadn’t been rescued.

A hand touched her, making her jump. Dr. Hearsal Morris, looking concerned, squeezed her shoulder.

“Are you all right? Did he hurt you?”

Trisha cleared her throat. “I’m fine,” she lied.

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Chapter One

One year later

Trisha sat at her desk, remembering 215. He still haunted her with his amazing blue eyes, how he’d pinned her under him on his hospital bed, and nearly…seduced her. She knew she’d never forget him but he didn’t remember her. It really bothered her too.

She had heard that New Species, the survivors of the drug company testing facilities who’d been rescued, had given themselves names instead of the numbers Mercile Industries had tagged them with. He’d picked the name Slade.

It fit him. He was a big son of a bitch, broad-chested, with long, wild hair, and he gave off an attitude of danger. Every time he showed sharp, abnormally long teeth when he flashed a grin, it made him appear predatory. It almost seemed as if he were threatening someone when he smiled. He also had to be the sexiest man she’d ever met and the memories of that hospital bed always made her tingle with arousal.

The New Species had been given a private retreat, of sorts, called Homeland, for the survivors of the testing facilities. The world wasn’t completely welcoming of their existence and they needed to live in a high-security setting for their protection against hate groups who believed they were an abomination.

Religious fanatics called them evil, unnatural, and an affront to God because they’d been created inside test tubes by scientists. If they didn’t take up the religious excuse to hate, they called New Species two-legged animals who didn’t deserve human rights, nothing more than trained pets who mimicked people. It was ridiculous. It irritated Trisha when she heard those crazy rants by idiots on the news. New Species were victims, not a blight on humanity, and definitely not the evil spawn of Satan. They also weren’t pets with the ability to speak words.

Two months before she’d heard a private medical center would soon open at Homeland. She’d immediately submitted her résumé, hoping to secure a position as one of the doctors they’d planned to hire. She’d never forget how surprised she’d been when two days before she’d gotten the call. They’d chosen her over all the other candidates.

Everyone in the medical community was fascinated by New Species. Their total surviving numbers were unknown but Mercile Industries, a leading drug research company, had been using them as live test subjects. They’d introduced animal DNA into their genes. Rumor had it that they had created them to combat diseases that crossed from animals to humans and to create vaccines and medicines to battle diseases in humans that animals were naturally immune to. Later it was said the company had branched out to physical enhancement drugs to make humans stronger, more muscular, and in better shape just by taking the pills they created.

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It stunned her that other doctors and scientists had sold their souls for a paycheck but obviously many had done the unthinkable to the men and women forced to be living experiments. The fact that someone had even figured a way to successfully combine human and animal DNA to create life had set the medical world on its ear.

Living proof existed though with the New Species.

Trisha hoped she’d learn more detailed information about them now that she had landed the job but so far they hadn’t told her much. She’d been given one file to look over. Some of the information had stunned her but she’d been ready for any challenge presented. Unfortunately, it seemed they’d only hired her to play nurse to the human employees since none of the New Species had stepped into the clinic.

She leaned back in her chair, propped her feet on her desk, and reviewed the facts she had learned. New Species picked weird names for themselves, usually something that had meaning for each individual. They had chosen to call themselves New Species because many of them were not altered with the same animal DNA strands. She’d learned there were three types—canine, feline, and primate species. Then there were a few documented notes on the physical differences discovered about them. Her thoughts instantly fixed on the reason for her aggravation.

Slade doesn’t remember me. He practically molested me, swore to do obscene things to my body, and he just…forgot what he did? She hissed out air, surprised steam didn’t rise from her ears from the anger that burned brightly inside her. She’d just had a confrontation with him and she hadn’t seen a flicker of recognition in his eyes. How could he forget? I sure can’t and it’s not fair. Just like a man. Turns a woman on, gets her all hot, and then forgets her the second she’s out of sight. Jerk!

He’d been extremely rude to her, adding insult to injury. One of the fully human employees at Homeland and a canine New Species male were living together. Trisha knew they were having sex, despite their denials, and she wanted to study the couple’s sex life. Slade had gotten in her face, had been vulgar, and had the nerve to call her nosy!

Any details about the couple’s sex life could be important. There was so much not known medically about the New Species. Were they even sexually compatible with humans? Trisha wasn’t sure what percentage of males were involved but it had been documented in the few reports that she’d read to prep for her new patients that some of the males swelled at the base of their penises right before ejaculation. Was that painful for a woman? That was a question she’d wanted to ask the woman living with a New Species but Slade had ordered her to stay away from the couple.

She wanted to explore the possibility of humans and Species having children together. She had been told Mercile Industries had paired the New Species females with their male counterparts for years, hoping to create more of them. They’d never had a single pregnancy result. It might be that none of the New Species were able to conceive children due to something simple that could be medically treated. She might be able to figure it out if anyone would allow her to help but that wasn’t going to happen if no one would permit her to run tests on them.

17

Laurann Dohner

“Dr. Norbit?”

The voice pulled Trisha from her thoughts to glance at Paul as he walked inside the clinic to relieve her shift. He was the only nurse and he seemed nice enough. He was in his early forties and he’d mentioned he had a military background.

“A penny for your thoughts.”

Trisha forced a smile. “They aren’t worth that much. I’m feeling sorry for myself. I wanted this position to learn about New Species but I’m getting stonewalled at every turn.”

“Yeah. The NSO aren’t real talkative. I’ve been here longer and I still don’t know much. We’re supposed to care for them but they won’t tell us squat about their physiology to help us do it.”

“NSO?”

“New Species Organization. It’s what they call themselves around here. I’m surprised you haven’t seen the uniforms they outfitted some of their people with. I don’t think they appreciate our security and have created their own teams. I don’t blame them. You missed out on the attack that happened here not too long ago.”

“I heard something about it on the news.”

Paul winced. “It was bad. Those protesters and human rights bastards broke down the front gates and about fifteen trucks full of gun-toting morons came pouring inside.

The buildings are thankfully built to withstand attacks and security was able to get most people to safety when the gates were being breached. Those bastards came in here as though someone had declared New Species hunting season. Ever been on a deer hunt?”

“No.”

“That’s what it reminded me of. There were a total of seventeen fatalities by the time it ended. It was the longest forty-some minutes of my life before I had help. That’s why they wanted to hire a doctor. I was swamped with injures that day and in way over my head.”

“Seventeen fatalities? I didn’t hear that the numbers were that high.” The news horrified Trisha.

He shrugged. “Some of them died later from gunshot wounds. The hired security sucked. The New Species guys teamed up to kick some ass when they showed up here to stop a few of those bastards from trying to ram open the medical doors. I was alone, thinking they were going to get inside and kill me since they weren’t real picky about who they shot. If you were breathing, you were target practice to those goons. The New Species officers wear black SWAT-type uniforms with NSO written on the front of their vests in white lettering.”

Slade had worn a uniform like that when he’d stopped her earlier. “So men who wear those are NSO security guards?”

18

Slade

“They call themselves New Species officers, and yeah. You don’t want to mess with those guys. One of them told me he was an experimental prototype at the facility where they held him. The rumor is that some of them were trained to fight and kill just to show off what they could do and how fast they were. I heard Mercile Industries might have had a contract with a few third world countries to sell their enhancing drugs to the highest bidder. The New Species deny it but who knows what the truth is. Either way, they are badass. They aren’t denying the fact that they were tortured regularly and beaten to see how much damage they could survive and heal from. Have you seen some of those guys up close? Jesus! They are huge and add in the fact they are fast, have enhanced hearing, sense of smell, and vision, and they just kick ass in general. I was in the Army and I sure as hell wouldn’t want to find myself facing off a few of them even with my entire unit backing me up.”

Trisha glanced down at her watch. She didn’t want to hear any more about how mean and dangerous New Species probably were. They intimidated her enough without listening to the speculation. She’d also learned, since meeting Paul, that he had a tendency to ramble for hours if given the opportunity.

“I am off shift. I guess I’ll go home.”

“How do you rate the housing? Isn’t it great? They gave me a two-bedroom, cottage-style house. My wife loves it.”

“They are nice,” Trisha agreed. She stood, reaching for her purse. “I’ll see you tomorrow. Call if you need me.” She tapped her pocket. “My cell phone is on.”

“Will do, Doc…uh, Trisha.”

Trisha left the medical center and walked down the street. Her house was only a block away inside the human employee area where dozens of cottage-styled homes had been built. They’d assigned her to a cute little blue one. She peered up at the moon, deciding it was a beautiful evening.

“It’s kind of late for you to be walking by yourself,” a husky male voice rasped from behind her.

Trisha gasped as she spun around, trying not to show her surprise at seeing Slade.

He wore his black uniform and her attention fixed on his right chest where the letters NSO were printed clearly over a small patch. Her gaze lifted to the most amazing blue eyes. They were a dark shade that she couldn’t help but stare into.

If he was an NSO officer, he had to be pretty tough, a survivor of the worst of the abuse, and possibly had been trained to fight to be one of their prototypes they filmed to show off what horrendous things they’d done to his body, if Paul had his information right. That meant Slade could be super dangerous. She took a deep breath, trying to calm her pounding heart.

“I didn’t see or hear you,” she admitted.

He flashed sharp teeth when he grinned. “My point exactly. You shouldn’t be out walking alone. It could be unsafe.”

19

Laurann Dohner

“This is a highly protected facility with security guards all over the place.” She frowned. “I think I’m pretty safe.” Except with you, she amended silently. He’s way too attractive. Look at those gorgeous eyes and that mouth. I wonder what it would be like to kiss him. Don’t go there, she mentally ordered her thoughts. He doesn’t remember.

Wide shoulders shrugged. “Are you still interested in learning something about the breeding process between our two species?”

That question had her heart racing instantly. “Did you talk to Mr. Fury and Miss Brower? Have they changed their minds about allowing me access to them?”

Excitement at the concept of talking to the couple who lived together was instant and strong. She could learn so much from them. She’d be doing something real instead of sitting behind a desk waiting for people with paper cuts to come see her. “I’d love to talk them into running a few simple tests.”

“Nope.” He took a step toward her. “They still aren’t interested. I was just wondering if you were still hoping to study the breeding process between our species.”

Her excitement died. “I’m very interested. Is there another couple that I haven’t heard about? I’d appreciate the opportunity to speak to them if there is.”

He took another step, stopping just feet from Trisha, making her realize he was a good foot taller than her. Trisha immediately felt intimidated by his size. A memory flashed of him pinning her under his large body on his hospital bed. She swallowed hard and tried not to allow the attraction she felt show in her features.

“I could go home with you.” He winked. “You could examine me all you want, Doc.” His attention lowered and he stared at her breasts before meeting her gaze again.

“I would be more than happy to volunteer to show you personally how we could have sex together. I’m up for an hour of meaningless sex.”

Trisha backed up a step, stunned. She knew she shouldn’t be since he’d once talked to her worse. He didn’t remember it but she did. It hurt her feelings that he’d offer her so little, something so trivial, when he had become a fixation in her thoughts.

“No thank you.”

The skin next to his eyes crinkled with amusement while he shrugged again. “It’s your loss. You know how to find me if you change your mind. I’ll walk you to your door.”

“No thanks.”

“I’m escorting you home.” He kept his amused expression in place. “So walk, Doc.

Or we could stand here. Either way, I’m sticking with you until we reach your place.”

Trisha spun away from him and strode quickly down the sidewalk. She could feel him behind her but he didn’t make a sound. For a large man, he could move very quietly. She turned her head as she reached her yard and gasped over how close he was to invading her personal space.

“Home safe,” he whispered. “Are you sure you don’t want me to come inside, Doc?”

20

Slade

“I’m sure,” Trisha stated firmly.

Her hands trembled when she darted to her front door. Would he try to force his way inside her house? Press the issue of offering to have sex with her? She unlocked the door and spun to tell him to leave but he had vanished.

Trisha stepped off her porch and glanced in both directions down the sidewalk but he wasn’t within sight. She frowned. Where did he disappear to so quickly? He irritated her badly. She hurried inside and locked the door firmly behind her.

Trisha dropped her purse on the entryway table as she headed for her bedroom.

She passed the empty guestroom, remembering that she needed to order a desk and some file cabinets to create a home office.

She peered around her bedroom. She hated the large four-poster bed with the thick wooden poles that shot up toward the ceiling. It took up too much space inside the room. The house had come furnished but nothing had been to her liking.

She stripped out of her clothing on her way to the bathroom. Does Slade remember me? He could be playing some sort of sick game to see if I’ll say something. She just wasn’t sure. He was pretty convincing if he wanted her to believe they’d never met in the past.

She turned on the shower and waited the few minutes it took for it to heat up.

She stepped under the spray of hot water with a sigh. Why was she attracted to him? She couldn’t deny that he appealed to her. Maybe it was curiosity. She wasn’t sure of her motives but every time he looked at her she remembered the rough, hot feel of his tongue teasing her throat, the way he’d moved against her with his heavy body while he’d nearly made her come just from rubbing his cock against her, and the memory of the sounds he made. The growls had been sexy.

“Mental brain wash,” she sighed.

She threw her head back and washed her hair, shaved her legs, and then stepped out of the shower. She heard a distinctive sound. Her pants were buzzing inside her bedroom where she’d dumped them when she’d disrobed. Trisha wrapped a towel around her middle to dash from the bathroom. She bent down, fought with her slacks, and yanked the black cell phone out.

“Dr. Norbit here.”

“Trisha, it’s Paul. We have a situation. Can you come back?”

“I’m on my way.” She hung up and ran for the bed. She dropped the cell phone on it and spun. She took a step toward her closet before slamming right into a wide, solid body.

Trisha gasped. Two large hands gripped her bare shoulders as her head jerked up.

She gaped at Slade’s amused expression. Her body was pressed against his, he held her firmly by her shoulders, and his lips curved into a smile.

“You weren’t answering your phone. They need you down at medical.”

“You are inside my house,” she gasped.

21

Laurann Dohner

“I have pass keys to all the homes. I’m security. You should answer your phone if you don’t want someone to check on you. Your nurse has been calling for five minutes and finally called us.”

“I was taking a shower!”

His focus lowered. “I see. You look good in pink, Doc. You’d look better though if that towel were on the floor at your feet.” His body shivered a little against hers as his attention drifted to her shoulders. “It’s tempting to lick off all those drops of water.”

Her heart hammered from surprise and probably a little excitement at the concept of him doing just that. The look on his face made her swallow hard. He suddenly released her though and backed away.

“I’ll be waiting for you in the living room. Get a move on, Doc. Someone is hurt and we need to get you back to medical right away.”

Trisha watched the tall New Species leave her bedroom, pulling the door closed behind him. It took her long seconds to pull herself together from the shock of finding Slade inside her bedroom and from him touching her. He’d let himself into her house and he’d seen her almost nude. She looked down at the small towel that barely covered the tops of her breasts and fell to mid-thigh. She forced her legs to move to the closet to pull on clothes quickly.

He waited for her by the front door. Trisha’s hair dripped water but she didn’t care.

She didn’t have time to dry it. She walked outside and turned as the large man closed the door, watching her.

“Up for a jog, Doc?”

Trisha nodded as she headed down her porch steps. She turned toward the medical center, preparing to run but instead gasped suddenly when Slade swept her up into his arms. He had the audacity to flash his sharp teeth as he gave her a big grin and winked.

“Hold onto me, Doc.”

He started jogging down the street. Shocked, Trisha threw her arms around his neck to hang on. She couldn’t believe he carried her as if she couldn’t reach the clinic on her own steam.

“Put me down.”

“Almost there, Doc. Shut up and enjoy the ride.” He wasn’t even out of breath when they reached the building. He slowed to a stop and carefully eased her onto her feet next to the door. He winked at her again before turning away. “I’ll see you when you’re done,” he called over his shoulder.

Trisha still reeled from the shock of his actions when she walked inside. There was a waiting room area that had been separated by a long counter. She saw Paul leaning over someone lying on a bed in the open area. Trisha shoved away thoughts of Slade and what had just happened. She moved quickly.

“What do we have?”

Paul turned. “Severe laceration. He’s going to need stitches, Trisha.”

22

Slade

The next half hour remained busy for Trisha. One of the human male secretaries of Homeland’s director had accidentally sliced open his palm with a kitchen knife while attempting to make dinner. Trisha cleaned the wound, gave him ten stitches, and bandaged the injury. She gave him pain medication and a tetanus shot. The medical center had its own fully stocked drug cabinet and she just dispensed what medicines he needed. She watched him leave.

Paul finished cleaning up. “You do nice work, Trisha. I doubt he’ll have much of a scar.”

“Thanks.”

“I’ve got this. You go on home. I’ll do the paperwork. You’re off.”

“Sorry I didn’t answer my phone. I was taking a shower.”

Paul grinned. “I see. You need to comb your hair. It’s kind of in clumpy, damp curls.”

“Good night,” she sighed, walking outside.

Relief hit her when she didn’t see Slade anywhere. She walked about ten feet before she sensed him. She stopped and turned to watch him stride down the sidewalk, moving right for her. He smiled as their gazes met.

“Ready for me to escort you?”

“I can find my own way, thanks. I’m thirty years old. I have mastered getting home.”

“You can’t be too careful these days, Doc. You never know what kind of animals are wandering around.”

She shot him a look. Like you? She didn’t say it out loud but was tempted to. She kept walking. He stayed beside her this time. She had to move quickly to keep up with his longer legs.

They reached her yard and Trisha turned to study the man who peered down at her. She unlocked her front door and opened it only wide enough for her body to fit through. She turned, faced Slade, and backed into the safety of her home.

“Don’t ever walk into my house again. What would you have done if I’d still been in the shower?”

He grinned. “Walked in there to tell you they needed you at the center and handed you a smaller towel than you had on. Maybe a hand towel.” His gaze roamed her body slowly and he smiled wider. “Or a washcloth.”

She tensed. “You enjoy needling me, don’t you?”

He just shrugged, still smiling.

“Is there any particular reason or am I just special?”

His smile faded. “Maybe I’m interested to see how our two species breed too.”

“Well, find someone else to harass.”

23

Laurann Dohner

He shrugged. “Fine by me. If you aren’t interested, you just aren’t. I was just looking for a sex partner but I won’t bother you again. You should have taken me up on it, Doc.” His eyes narrowed. “I just wanted a few hours to answers all those questions you have. You’re pretty enough that I thought it might be worth my time. Night, Doc.”

He turned away and started to leave the porch. He was halfway to her sidewalk when she opened her mouth.

“Only a few hours, huh? And pretty? Last time you kept calling me a beauty.”

Trisha allowed her anger to flow. “Last time you offered to have sex with me for days, 215. Should I feel insulted?”

He spun around. She knew shock when she saw it and it etched his handsome features. That answered her question. He really didn’t remember her. She glared at him.

“I think I liked you better when you were recovering in my hospital. You were more appealing half dead than you are fully healthy. That’s really sad.”

She slammed the door closed the second he took a step toward her. She twisted the locks, slamming the bolt into place.

“Doc? Open up the door.” He growled the words from the other side of the door.

“Good night, Mr. Slade.”

He twisted the doorknob but the lock held. She heard keys jingle. He would try to unlock her door? She bit her lip.

“I’m calling security,” she threatened. “Remember them? They were good at stopping you before even though you said no one would come to save me last time.”

He uttered a soft curse. “You’re the Doc from the hospital, aren’t you?”

“Oh, so you do remember me.” She leaned against the door.

“Your hair is different.”

She touched her damp hair. She’d tried her hand at being a redhead the previous year when she’d worked at the hospital where they’d met. Now she was back to her normal color, a honey blonde. “This is the real me. I decided I didn’t want to dye it red anymore.”

“Open up the door and talk to me.” He growled the order.

“Why? So you can insult me more? Be a bigger ass?”

Trisha tensed when only silence answered her question. Would he try to get inside her house another way? Why would he even care if she were the same woman he’d accosted a year before? She listened but didn’t hear a thing on the other side of the door.

“Mr. Slade?”

He didn’t answer. Trisha finally moved from the door to rush around the house to make sure all the windows were locked. She relaxed certain that he had gone, and didn’t plan to bother her. She entered her bedroom and clicked off the light. She slept wearing sweats just in case he returned and decided to surprise her with another unannounced visit.

24

Slade

* * * * *

Slade pressed his forehead against the door, his eyes closed, and listened to the doctor move away. Shock still gripped him that the woman he’d just insulted and angered was the same woman who haunted him on a nightly basis since he’d been freed.

Dr. Trisha Norbit had changed her hair color, had grown it longer. He’d been pretty drugged when he’d awoken inside the human hospital but he should have recognized her scent or placed those beautiful blue eyes of hers when he’d seen them again. The memory of them made him want to kick his own ass for not making the connection.

Had their drugs really affected him that badly?

In his defense, he’d never learned the name of the woman he’d pinned under him on the small hospital bed but everything else about her remained intact. Her plush body pinned under his, the taste of her skin on this tongue, and the scent of her arousal tormenting him. He’d been sure no one would save her, that she’d be his for the taking, and he’d relished the idea of making her want him as much as he wanted her. Then it had turned to hell. Humans had rushed inside the room, drugged him, and taken her away.

He bit back a snarl. He’d royally screwed up. Late in the night before he drifted to sleep, he always thought of her, his sexy redhead. He pushed away from the cool wood, snapped open his eyes, and glared at the house she hid inside. He’d fantasized about finding her, getting her under him again, and finishing what they’d started. He’d planned out how he’d charm her, had studied human romantic tactics, in hopes of winning her over if that day ever came.

Dr. Trisha Norbit hated him. He couldn’t blame her either. He’d purposely been an ass to her for the most part. It had irritated him that he was drawn to her despite having a fantasy woman stuck inside his head. It had almost seemed as if he’d been cheating on the memory of his redheaded fantasy woman every time his body responded to Doc Norbit.

The cosmic joke was on him since they were one and the same. He stomped off into the darkness. He’d just lost all hope of ever having her in his bed.

He paused to glance back at her house. His anger faded into sadness. Fantasies are for fools. Learn a lesson and stay the hell away from her.

25

Laurann Dohner

Chapter Two

Tense. That’s how Trisha would describe her new relationship with the NSO officer.

Slade patrolled the human section of Homeland, the area she lived and worked in, and she had to deal with him. Since that night they’d hardly spoken. When they did, both of them seemed to come to the mutual agreement not to mention anything personal. Two months had passed that way.

The guy was likable but she wished he weren’t. Slade had a quick smile, a keen sense of humor, and every time she’d had to deal with him, he’d gotten her to smile.

He’d made certain they were never alone since the night she’d told him just who she was. She was mostly grateful for that fact.

Sometimes when she walked home at night she would catch a glimpse of him on the dark street. She could sense his stare and knew he shadowed her to make sure she arrived safely. It is his job, she reminded herself. She regretted what she’d blurted to him but she’d lost her temper.

There was something wrong with her. She mentally kicked herself over being angry with a guy for the reasons that she was, knowing it just wasn’t right. She’d felt insulted that he’d forgotten her. Just over a year before he’d wanted to keep her for days, he’d called her beauty, and now… She sighed. He just thought she was pretty and offered her some cheesy one-night stand. Not even a night. He only wants me for a few hours.

“Stupid,” she muttered.

“What is?” A deep voice spoke softly from behind her.

Trisha started and spun in her seat to gawk at Slade. She grabbed her heart. “Don’t sneak up on me that way again. Would it kill you to make some noise when you move?”

His eyebrows arched as a smile curved his full lips. “Then I wouldn’t get to watch you react that way.”

She sighed. “I’m glad you at least find it amusing. I sure don’t.”

She glanced around the room, realized no one else was there, and instantly tensed.

Uh-oh. This was the first time she could remember them being totally alone since that night he’d walked her home. They’d had some interaction when there’d been some problems between the human, Ellie Brower, and her New Species husband. Fury had been shot during a press conference that had been infiltrated by a few members of a hate group and during his recovery a nurse had drugged him, trying to drive him insane. They’d seen each other during that time but had kept it professional.

“What do you need?”

26

Slade

“Good thing you didn’t ask what I want.” He smirked at her, crossing his arms over his broad chest. “Justice has to go on a road trip and wants you to go with him.” He wiggled his eyebrows. “He said to tell you to pack for two days. I had no idea you and Justice were sleeping together.”

Trisha glared at him. “You know Mr. North and I…that nothing is going on between us. He’s my boss and he’s your leader. My only dealings with Justice are purely professional.”

His tongue ran along his bottom lip. Trisha watched it. She looked up slightly into his blue eyes, which were staring back into hers. “I know but I love to see you turn all pink when you grow angry.” He suddenly smiled. “Justice wants you ready to roll in an hour.”

“But—”

“An hour. Don’t argue with me. I’m just the messenger.”

“But where are we going? I’m on duty right now and tomorrow. What does Justice want with me?”

He shrugged, still smiling. “I just deliver the messages. See you in an hour, Doc. I’ll pick you up in front of your house.”

She watched him leave the clinic. A curse passed her lips before she could refrain.

He loved to annoy her and he had a real talent for it. She picked up the phone to call Dr.

Ted Treadmont, the second doctor they’d hired part-time, to cover some of her shifts.

They really needed more medical staff. Two doctors and nurses weren’t enough.

She made a mental note to bring that up again with Justice when she spoke to him. He headed the New Species, was their appointed leader, and made most of the decisions at Homeland.

She glanced at the phone, half tempted to call him to say she wasn’t going wherever he wanted her to go but then changed her mind. She respected Justice and for whatever reason, he needed her to go somewhere that required packing. She might not want to go but she would.

Trisha had no idea what to pack. She cursed and decided to just take a bit of everything. She grabbed a few pairs of jeans, a few pairs of slacks, and some nice shirts along with a universal black dress, just in case. Underwear followed. She took one pair of high heels, a pair of slip-ons, and decided to wear the comfortable running shoes she had on. She also packed up a few sets of sweats to sleep in.

She walked into her bathroom to pack her overnight bag. Makeup and personal items went inside it. She remembered her shampoo and conditioner in case they were heading for a hotel. She hated samples. Her hair was too long for them to be of any use.

A black SUV pulled up and honked in front of her house. Trisha glanced at her watch to see he’d arrived fifteen minutes early. She clenched her teeth. Slade did enjoy aggravating her. She grabbed her purse, her suitcase, and slung her overnight bag across her shoulder. The weight of all her luggage made her struggle to get out the front door.

27

Laurann Dohner

No one came to help her. She stared pointedly at the security guard driving the SUV but he just watched her as she closed her front door and fought with the keys to lock the deadbolt. Some of her irritation eased since the driver wasn’t Slade. She relaxed, took a deep breath, and turned. She tried not to groan as she moved down the sidewalk. Her suitcase was heavy and the bag dug painfully into her shoulder.

The back door opened on the vehicle and Slade jumped out. He smiled at her, glancing at her bags. With a shake of his head he walked to the back of the vehicle to open up the hatchback. He stepped out of her way, chuckled, and waved her to put her things inside.

“Gee, thanks for the help.” She shot him a nasty look.

“I said we were going to be gone two days, not two weeks, Doc. I guess you can stow your own gear if you think you can wear all that crap you have jammed into those bags.”

She did groan when she hefted the suitcase up to dump it into the back of the SUV.

“I didn’t know what to pack and I had to bring different kinds of clothes. It would have saved a lot packing if someone,” she glared at him as she tossed in her overnight bag,

“told me where I was going and what this is about.”

He closed the hatchback. “Let’s go, Doc. We don’t have all day to stand here chatting.”

Trisha was pissed. She gripped her purse in a stranglehold. The door to the back of the SUV still stood open, she moved before Slade could and climbed inside, knowing he’d been sitting there. She shot him a mean smile while getting comfortable in the still-warm-from-his-butt seat. She slammed the door and turned to ask Justice what was going on. The vehicle was empty except for the driver and Slade, who opened the other door across from her and climbed inside. The door closed.

“We’re picking up Justice last?”She hated the hopeful tone in her voice.

Slade put on his seat belt. “Buckle up, Doc. Nope. Justice already left. We’re meeting him in a few hours.”

She sighed, securing her belt. “Where are we going?” She gave her attention to the security guard behind the wheel in front of her. “I’m Dr. Trisha Norbit. What’s your name, driver?”

“Bart,” he shared cheerfully. He met Trisha’s gaze in the rearview mirror. “We’re heading up north to a private resort.”

Trisha frowned uneasily. “Why?”

“Oh,” Bart started the SUV, “Mr. North has set a bunch of meetings up there. They figured it would be remote enough to make the press really uncomfortable if they wanted to attempt to follow him there and camp out to see what he’s doing. We’re hoping they don’t find out about it until after the fact.”

Trisha ignored Slade. “What kind of meetings? Do you know?”

28

Slade

“Oh sure.” The young guy was really talkative, which suited Trisha. “Mr. North wants to buy some land up there for New Species. He’s set meetings with all the officials out there and the guy who wants to sell the land. I heard he wanted you present in case someone has any questions about medical crap.” He took a breath. “You heard those stupid rumors about how people can catch parvo and stuff from New Species, right? I was kind of worried but Tiger swore it was bullshit. Do you know Tiger, Dr. Norbit? It’s not true, is it? I can’t catch any animal diseases from working with New Species, can I? Because that’s something I would really hate. I think they should give us hazard pay if that’s true. My mom says I should go to a vet and get vaccine shots just in case bec—”

“Shut up,” Slade snarled.

Trisha jumped at the tone of Slade’s voice and Bart closed his mouth. She swung her head to glare at Slade. He shrugged.

“He talks too much. It annoys me.”

Trisha tried to hide her disgust. “I promise you can’t catch parvo from New Species, Bart. Thank you,” she stressed those words, “for telling me where we are going and why.” She shot Slade another nasty look. “Some people don’t appreciate someone who is polite but I certainly do.”

Slade turned a little, faced her more from his position on the seat, and smiled as he crossed his arms over his broad chest. He openly stared at her breasts and kept his focus there. “I can be really nice when I want to be. I know how to stimulate conversation.”

His gaze rose and he winked at her. “I’m pretty good with my oral skills when I’m motivated.” He glanced down to her lap and his grin widened. “I’m very good with my oral skills.”

You son of a bitch. Trisha ground her teeth, refusing to say it aloud. He wasn’t talking about conversation and she knew it. Why did he always try to annoy her?

Maybe he thought he could embarrass her by his blatant sexual innuendos but she was a doctor. She took a deep breath and forced a smile. She’d been harassed by drunk men in the emergency rooms far too often to allow him get the best of her.

“Oral skills are always a wonderful thing to have, Mr. Slade.” Her gaze lowered to the crotch of his black pants, lingered there. She slowly allowed her gaze to travel up his body to examine every inch of him until they were staring into each other’s eyes.

She saw his smile had faded, knowing her actions had wiped the amused look from his face. “I guess you could say I have a real oral fixation myself.”

She smiled wider at him, licked her lips, letting her tongue glide slowly over the surface. His jaw clenched as he adjusted his weight. She noticed his interest.

“Good conversation is very important, don’t you think? It’s so stimulating and pleasurable if done right. As a doctor it may surprise you how much I’ve learned on the subject. It’s been a long time since I’ve had a really good conversation and sometimes I nearly ache from wishing someone could stimulate me.” Her eyes narrowed. “But 29

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unfortunately I haven’t met anyone yet who I want to really talk to. I just keep meeting jerks who have no finesse.”

He growled at her. She chuckled and turned away from him to stare out the window to watch as they left Homeland. The guards at the gate just waved the SUV

past. Trisha didn’t bother to look at Slade. She was afraid he’d be staring at her still. She turned toward the window and shifted until she found a comfortable position.

“I hope you both don’t mind but I’m going to take a nap.” She couldn’t resist. She turned her head to meet Slade’s gaze. He still watched her and his amazing blue eyes looked at her without amusement. He actually appeared angry.

“Have a nice nap, Dr. Norbit. I’ll wake you when we get there,” Bart offered. “Mind if I listen to the radio?”

“Not at all.” Trisha turned back to the window, realizing how tired she really was.

* * * * *

“Hurry,” a male roared. “Drive faster. He’s right on our ass.”

Trisha jerked awake as she slammed against the window. She groaned as pain exploded at the top of her forehead. She was half asleep, disoriented, as she jerked her head to glance around the SUV to see what was going on.

Slade leaned forward between the seats and Bart still drove the SUV. Trisha studied their surroundings, seeing they were in a wooded area on a two-lane highway with dense trees on each side of the road. The sun had lowered in the sky and it would be night soon. She held her forehead where it still hurt but then pulled her hand back to look for blood. There wasn’t any.

“Step on the gas harder,” Slade growled. “They are going to hit us again.”

Who will hit us? Trisha turned her head to peer out the back of the SUV. She saw a red truck with a metal grill coming fast at the back of the vehicle. She knew her mouth opened as the truck moved closer, realizing it would ram them. She softly gasped as it plowed into the back of the SUV.

The SUV swerved, fishtailing on the narrow road. Trisha’s head was thrown forward against the back of the cushioned driver’s seat. Her seat belt dug painfully into her lap as she realized she had pushed down the shoulder belt while sleeping.

“Oh my god,” Bart sounded as though he were sobbing. “They are trying to kill us.”

“Punch the gas,” Slade roared. “Our engine is bigger. They wouldn’t be able to catch us to ram us if you’d find your balls and put on some speed.”

“I can’t,” Bart yelled. “I’ll lose control. The turns are too sharp.”

“Next time, I’m driving,” Slade snarled.

Trisha experienced fear as she watched the edges of the road. There were trees everywhere and one side of the narrow road rose uphill while the on the other side, the 30

Slade

one she sat closest to, dropped off into a vast space of trees. She stared downward. They were on some winding mountain road heading up.

“Call for help,” Trisha got out, confused and terrified at waking in a hellish situation.

“There’s no cell signal.” Slade snarled his words, obviously furious.

He turned his head, looking back. He cursed, throwing himself into the seat next to Trisha. She was shocked by the sight of the weapon he withdrew from his back from under his waistband. It was a black handgun.

“Oh crap,” she gasped.

The truck rammed them again. Trisha was thrown against the door next to her but this time she managed not to hit her head. Her hand got smashed instead between the door she gripped and her body. Slade was thrown into the back of the passenger seat before he moved onto his knees and bent into the back section of the SUV. He pointed the weapon.

“Cover your ears, Doc.”

She did that just as Slade opened fire. Glass exploded. The sound of the gun going off was earsplitting. The SUV fishtailed wildly as it nearly tipped on two wheels. Bart cursed a blue streak, taking a turn too fast.

Trisha twisted around to face the back. She saw white steam pour out from under the hood of the red truck, not needing to be told that Slade had shot into the engine. He had to have hit the radiator or something else. The red truck slowed and the SUV

pulled away. Slade stopped firing. He cursed as he dropped the empty clip and shoved in another full one from his side pocket. They took a turn and the red truck wasn’t behind them anymore.

Trisha gaped at Slade. His blue gaze flashed to hers. “Are you okay, Doc?”

She managed to nod. “Who was that?”

Slade shrugged. “My guess is they weren’t friends of ours.” He threw himself down on the seat sideways, placing the gun down between them. He tore his focus from her to watch out the damaged back window. Wind rushed into the SUV from the gaping hole. He yanked his cell phone out of his pocket. He flipped it open, stared at it for a few seconds, and viciously cursed.

“There’s still no signal.” His gaze met hers. “Where’s your cell, Doc?”

“Mine won’t have one either if you don’t have a signal.”

“You never know. We might have different carriers. Where is it? I don’t want to sit here debating. I’d rather try.”

She reached for her purse but it wasn’t where she’d placed it. She peered down and realized it had fallen to the floor. She pointed. Slade lunged for her purse. His hand practically crushed the bag as he yanked it up. In a heartbeat he’d flipped her purse over, emptying all the contents out on the seat between them with a few rough shakes.

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Trisha had to fight the urge to yell at him when her mouth dropped open in shock.

Those were her things he’d just strewn all over the seat as thought it were garbage. He shoved his hand into the mess he’d created to find her cell then he flipped it open.

“Damn it,” he growled. He threw it to the floor.

“That is my phone! Don’t break it.”

Her temper flared. She was also scared and really, really angry. She unfastened her belt to reach forward to lean down to check on her cell phone. Slade shoved her back against her seat with his hand.

“It doesn’t work anyway,” he snarled, glaring at her.

“Throw your phone but not mine. That’s rude.”

“I’m sorry. I would hate to be impolite when someone just tried to kill us.”

“Hello?” Bart shouted. “There’s another truck. Could you guys stop fighting? I think we have another problem. It looks as if they weren’t alone!”

Trisha turned her head to stare in horror out the back of the SUV. A second truck came at them fast, this one a blue pickup that had a metal grill, almost the twin of the red one. She watched as a man stood up in the back of the truck bed, one arm gripping the roll bar over the cab of the truck to keep on his feet, and lifted his other arm to try to point a gun at them. Her mouth opened to scream out a warning.

Slade reached over, grabbed Trisha’s shirt with his fist and yanked her down over the seat. His body crushed down on top of hers, causing her purse and its contents to dig into her stomach. Slade’s hand shoved in between the seat and her. He grabbed her breast, squeezed it, and his hand turned. He found his gun and yanked it out from under her none too gently. A loud noise sounded but it was muffled for Trisha since Slade’s thighs were against her ears.

My head is between Slade’s thighs. That meant the lump at the back of her neck… She gritted her teeth. How can Slade be aroused when someone is shooting at us? She struggled to get out from between his legs but his massive, bulky weight kept her down. His muscles suddenly squeezed, nearly crushing Trisha’s head in the process.

“Stay still,” he demanded. “Those are my nuts you’re pushing back against.”

“Screw you. Get off me,” she yelled.

A large hand suddenly slapped Trisha’s ass hard, sending a jolt of pain from it to her brain, stunning her.

“My face is right here, Doc. You don’t hurt me and I won’t hurt you.”

Trisha just screamed. She was angry, terrified, and her butt stung from where he’d struck her with his big palm. Something rammed hard into the SUV and it caused Slade to topple onto Trisha. They were thrown forward and Trisha’s body slid with his. They both slammed into the back of the front seats together.

“Drive,” Slade ordered Bart harshly. “One more hit that bad and— SHIT!”

Shit? Trisha felt alarmed by Slade’s tone. A second later the SUV bounced wildly.

She and Slade were actually lifted completely off the seat. She heard a male scream.

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Bart. Then she was slammed hard back down onto the seat with all Slade’s weight coming down on her.

She heard a horrible noise as everything rattled, bounced and shook so hard Trisha wondered if she would be shaken apart too. A loud boom rent the air suddenly a second before the truck tilted crazily and she was thrown again. She screamed in pure terror.

She didn’t know what was up or down. She knew nothing but pain, fear, and the feeling of motion. Hands grabbed her thighs, she bumped into Slade’s body roughly, then something unforgiving. Glass sounded as if it were exploding. Metal groaned and smashed loudly, in deafening volume. Trisha continued to scream but everything stopped moving suddenly.

She panted, laying on something hard. Her shoulder, ear and hand hurt. She tried to calm down as she opened her eyes but instantly wished she hadn’t. She discovered her body sprawled on the roof of the SUV. The broken-out back window was to her immediate right, telling her that somehow she’d been tossed into the back luggage area.

She stared at dirt and grass on the ground, just an arm’s length away. Close to the back of the SUV stood a thick tree trunk. It finally settled into her mind that the SUV had landed upside down.

Trisha moved and it caused pain to shoot up her leg from her knee. She groaned.

She put her hands down and tried to push herself up even though her shoulder ached but only managed to lift her head a little. She turned it to the left to stare at Slade a few inches from her. He lay sprawled on his side with his back to her, his head resting by her hip. His arm moved as he touched his face.

“Shit,” Slade groaned. “Doc?” His voice deepened as his entire body jerked.

“DOC?” Alarm deepened his tone.

“I’m here behind you. Are you all right?” Trisha cleared her throat. Her voice had broken as she spoke.

Slade twisted his head to look her over. “Fine. Are you injured badly?”

“Hurt but alive. Can you see Bart? All I can glimpse from here is the back of the seats and you.”

Slade moved slightly and groaned as he lifted his head. “I see him. He’s belted in upside down but moving. I can hear him breathing.”

A pained moan came from the front of the SUV. Trisha licked her dry lips, instantly tasting blood. She started to inch toward the dirt, intent on climbing out of the wreckage.

A hand gripped her thigh. “Don’t,” Slade ordered. “They had guns. I don’t know how far we rolled but they could be up there. You crawling out of here could make you an easy target.”

“Oh God,” Bart sobbed softly.

“I have to help him.” Trisha met Slade’s gaze.

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His nostrils flared. “Fine. Crawl over me to get to him. There’s a lot of broken glass under me and I don’t want you getting cut up. You stay inside the cover of the vehicle.

If you can’t reach him through the seats, forget about it until I go out there and scout first. I need to find out if we’re safe from them shooting down at us.”

“You want me to crawl over you? But—”

“Do it, Doc. I’m not kidding about the broken glass. The windows shattered. Safety-glass my ass. This wasn’t one of our security vehicles that have been specially built for us. This is tempered glass but some of it is sharp. Crawl over my body to him first and I’ll inch out there to take a look at where we stand once you do. Hopefully we rolled far enough down the hill that they don’t have a bead on us but they might be coming down on foot to finish us off. Either way, I don’t want to stick around here for long. They know where we are or can find us easily enough. I’m sure we left an easy trail of debris for them to follow.”

Trisha turned onto her side. She had just enough space to wiggle under the back seat before she met Slade’s gaze. He gave her a grin but it didn’t reach his eyes.

“You know you want to crawl on top of me, Doc. Here’s your chance.”

Trisha frowned at him. “You’re such an ass.”

He winked. “It’s not my ass I’m worried about when you’re on top of me. Watch your elbows and knees, sweet thing.”

Her mouth opened to tell him that now wasn’t the time for him to start his crap but Bart sobbed from the front. Slade’s smile faded.

“Move it, Doc. They could be climbing down to search for us and I don’t feel like being shot at like fish in a barrel.”

Trisha carefully reached to put her hands next to Slade’s head. He suddenly moved, holding out his hands to her.

“Put your hands inside mine. There’s glass. I’ll lift you over as much of me as I can.

Then keep your hands on my legs. Watch the knees, Doc. Seriously.” He winked at her.

“As much as I know you want to see how big I am, I’d prefer you feel me with your hands.”

“Bastard,” Trisha whispered, not really meaning it.

She gave him a brave smile, knowing at this point he was being an ass just to distract her. She’d be freaking out over their dire situation if it weren’t for Slade. They’d just rolled down part of a mountain, men with guns might be on their way to the crash site, and Slade tried to focus her attention on him instead of the danger.

“Thanks,” she whispered softly, putting her hands inside his large ones. She curled her fingers through his, their fingers locking, palms together, as Slade took her weight.

He started to pull her over his body. Trisha lifted her lower body with her knees. She tried not to notice when her breasts rubbed over Slade’s face and how her stomach moved close enough to feel his hot breath through the thin layer of her shirt.

“You might want to consider a diet when we survive this,” Slade suggested softly.

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“Kiss my ass.”

He chuckled. “It’s not your ass over my face right now, Doc. That’s as far as I can pull you. As much as I enjoy where you are, move it, sweet thing.”

Her knees reached his shoulders. She gripped his thighs with her hands, knowing she’d have to either pull her body down his body toward his feet by her hands or crawl over him with her knees.

“Hurry, Doc.”

She carefully put her knee on his shoulder. His hands suddenly gripped her hips as he lifted her lower body similar to a pushup off his body. He shoved her forward.

Trisha was nearly thrown into the gap between the front seats but instead it was just her head that ended up between them with the center console above her. She squeezed tighter into the narrow space. She could see Bart now. Slade moved from under her legs, which were still on him.

“Stay put, Doc. I’m going outside. It was nice knowing you if you hear gunshots.”

“Be careful,” she warned.

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Chapter Three

Trisha’s gaze turned to Bart, studying him. He was still strapped into his seat where the belt held him in place. He appeared to be unconscious now and his hands hung limp against the roof. She saw blood covered his left hand and she reached for it carefully. It was hard to do since it was on the other side of his body.

She inwardly cursed, realizing it appeared to be a crush injury. The skin was torn and she guessed his hand must have been thrown through the window that had been smashed out when they rolled. Her fingertips brushed up his arm, feeling for injuries, and she determined his wrist had also been broken. He’d caught a break there, no pun intended, since the bone hadn’t popped through the skin. He jerked awake.

“Bart?” She swallowed. Her voice kept breaking on her. “Where does it hurt besides the seat belt and your arm?”

“My leg,” he gasped. Tears drowned out the brown of his eyes when he started to cry.

Crap. Trisha couldn’t get any farther into the driver’s area since his body was in the way and the steering wheel was above. She could have seen better if she’d had a flashlight since the sun was going down, making the interior dim.

“Can you move both feet?”

“It hurts,” he cried softly.

“Do it, Bart,” Trisha snapped. “Those men could be coming after us. Move your feet. I need you to work with me.”

He moaned in pain. “I feel them and I think they moved.”

Trisha nodded, looking up at where his feet would be. No drips of blood were coming down to hit the roof she lay curled on. Another good sign. She forced herself to remain calm and think. Her head throbbed, her body ached and she was in pain. She still tasted blood and didn’t even want to guess the cause. She’d assess her own injuries later but right now it was all about the younger man in front of her.

“Listen to me, Bart. I need to find out if your legs are pinned or if we can get you down. I need you to move your legs to see if they are free. Do you understand me?”

“It hurts,” he whined.

Trisha clenched her teeth. “I’m in pain too. Come on. Did you hear me about those men who ran us off the road? They could climb down here and kill us. You need to work with me. I can help you better if we can get you free. I can’t do much for you right now since there’s not enough room to treat you where you are. I have to assess your injures but I need you out of that seat to do it.”

“Okay,” he hissed softly, “I’ll try.”

36

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Trisha strained to listen for any sign of Slade but she hadn’t heard any gunshots.

Where is he? She experienced a little fear suddenly. She and Bart weren’t New Species.

Would Slade just leave them behind to save his own ass? She really hoped not. Maybe he’s gone for help but wouldn’t he tell me first? She just didn’t know and that really bothered her.

“I can move them.” Pain sounded in Bart’s voice.

“Terrific. I know you only have one usable hand but you need to use your good arm to try the door. See if it will open.”

“I can’t.”

Trisha twisted, looking at the passenger side. The glove box had snapped open and things had fallen out. She inched her way to the small area under the passenger seat.

The window remained intact on the passenger side but it was cracked and spider-webbed. She used the paper that had spilled out of the glove box to cover the broken glass that had flown around the interior when the SUV had rolled to protect her body.

She reached for the door handle. It moved but the door didn’t.

“Crap,” she sighed. She looked, realized the door was still locked, and reached up.

She had to work to get the push-button lock to release. She tried the door handle again and this time she heard a click. She twisted until she rested on her back and pushed with one hand while gripping the door handle. The door moved open a few inches before it jammed into the ground outside. “Double crap.”

“Hey, Doc.” Slade leaned down to peer inside the wreckage at her from the passenger window. “Do you want out? I don’t see any of those assholes coming down here after us so far.”

“Can you get the door open?”

Slade lifted his head to study it instead of her. “I don’t know. I’m going to have to push against the side to see if I can lift it a few inches because the dirt is loose here and it’s stuck on it.” He paused. “Maybe. Get ready to feel some movement.”

It sunk in what he meant to do when she saw him turn around and plant his feet by the back passenger door. His back pressed against the side of the SUV. She opened her mouth to tell him he wasn’t strong enough to move the SUV even an inch but then the vehicle shifted a little under her. He pushed back enough to tip the SUV away from the ground.

“Push the door,” Slade groaned. “This bitch is heavy.”

Trisha used both hands to shove hard on the door that was a good half inch off the ground. It skidded on the grass and dirt to open another foot. She pushed harder and got another inch maybe. The ground inclined higher. Slade groaned and the SUV

shifted again. The door dug hard into the earth under it.

Slade crouched next to the opening and put his head inside between the door and the frame.

“Give me your hands and I’ll pull you out.”

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It was only just over a foot of space, maybe sixteen inches at most. She cursed. “I don’t think I’ll fit.”

“I was kidding about thinking you need a diet. Let’s try, sweet thing. I think you can make it. You women always think you are bigger than you really are. It’s more space than you think. Go out sideways.”

Trisha grasped both of Slade’s hands. He slowly started to pull her toward him with her twisting onto her side. Her knees hung up on the front seats but when she bucked a little, it moved her lower legs. Slade pulled on her again. Her head fit through the tight space as she turned it sideways and then her breasts and back were squeezed.

She realized she was stuck. Her breasts were hanging her up.

“This wouldn’t be a problem if you didn’t have such nice boobs,” Slade chuckled.

“A flat-chested woman would have slid right through there.”

Trisha shot him a dirty look as she stared at him. “Just pull me out! This isn’t comfy.”

“Take a deep breath and exhale all your air. On the count of three. One. Two.

Three.”

Trisha exhaled until her lungs felt as though they were being crushed inside her chest. Slade pulled her free. She gasped in a gulp of air as Slade dragged her a few feet from the SUV.

Slade released her hands before he reached for her again as she lay on the ground.

He grabbed her arms just above her elbows and slowly helped her to her feet. He studied her critically before his gaze met hers.

“Can you stand on your own?”

Testing her legs, Trisha nodded. “I’m good.”

He arched an eyebrow. “You wouldn’t say that if you had a mirror. Stay here and let me see if I can get Mouth over there free.”

“His left hand is crushed and his wrist is broken,” Trisha warned. “Try not to touch it or have him put weight on it.”

Trisha looked down since her knee throbbed and saw a tear in her slacks. She bent, fought a moment of dizziness, but it passed. She touched the torn material, stained with blood. She gripped her pants with her fingers and pulled the hole bigger. The material splitting sounded loud to Trisha.

She looked closely at her knee, finding redness and a small laceration that her fingers probed. It was a little bloody but it didn’t need stitches. She straightened to limp around the SUV and knew she would suffer from deep bruising.

The SUV appeared in really bad shape. She assessed the crushed side panels and the dented-down roof. The back of the SUV had taken the worst of it on the crushed roof. There was a large tear near the front driver’s side door and the engine compartment in the front corner had been mangled badly.

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She stared at it while Slade opened up the driver’s door. It looked as though they’d smashed into something in the front of the SUV on the way down. Trisha’s guess was a tree, maybe even a few of them from the damage to the entire front section of the vehicle. It was a miracle they were all alive.

She turned her head and stared up the mountain. She couldn’t see the road from where she stood but she could tell where the SUV had rolled before the debris disappeared into dense trees. Broken glass, ripped-off parts of the SUV, and some clothes were scattered in the path of the crash.

She saw her broken suitcase near a tree. It was smashed and torn as if someone had taken an ax to it. She shivered. That could have been her or Slade if either of them had been thrown from the vehicle.

“No!” Bart screamed.

“Be a man,” Slade snarled at him. “You can’t hang there all day. On the count of three I’m going to slice your belt and pull you out. Your ass will fall but I have your head. One. Two—”

“Don’t,” Bart screamed, sounding panicked.

“Three!”

Slade sliced the belt and dragged a howling Bart out of the vehicle. Trisha limped the remaining few feet to the man crying on the ground as Slade released him and stepped back. The look Slade flashed toward Trisha showed pure disgust. Slade shook his head, clenched his teeth, and stormed away.

“You deal with him. I’m going to salvage what we can. It’s going to be dark soon.”

Trisha lowered to her knees to examine the softly crying Bart. Sympathy welled inside her for the kid who was in his early twenties but was acting much younger. She understood how frightened he had to be. Her hands roamed over his body, the only thing she could do without her medical bag. All she had to assess him with was her touch and vision to try to triage him.

She examined his hips and her hands cupped one of his thighs and inched down his leg to his ankle. He didn’t appear to have broken feet or ankles. She wasn’t about to remove his footwear to find out for sure, knowing that if he had broken any bones there the shoe would keep it immobile and control the swelling for the time being. She rose and gripped his other thigh, circling her hand around it high up, and inched her way down.

“Do you want a room?” Slade sighed. “You touch me that way and I hope you have a wedding ring to give me, Doc.”

“I’m checking for more broken bones.” She didn’t even glance over her shoulder at Slade. “So far so good.”

Trisha leaned back and frowned at Bart. “Where does it hurt?”

“My hand.”

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She’d explored his stomach and his head until she’d run her hands all over him.

“How does your neck and back feel?”

“They are fine. My hand hurts.” Bart cried softly with his arm cradled to his chest.

Trisha turned her head to gaze up at Slade. “He could have internal injuries but I won’t know without getting him to a hospital. The only ones I know of for sure are his wrist and hand. Can you get my suitcase and pick up some of my clothes? I need them.”

A frown marred Slade’s lips. “You want to change clothes? Give me a break, Doc.

You can’t be that conceited.”

“You stupid son of a bitch,” Trisha ground out, her anger flaring instantly. “I need to tear up some cloth to bandage his hand. The handle of my suitcase is the kind that extends. I can remove it and use it to splint his entire arm to the end of his fingers.”

Slade blushed a little. “I’m on it. Sorry.” He walked away.

Trisha sighed, allowing her anger to fade. They were all under stress. Slade returned within minutes. He used a knife to slice her nice shirts into strips. Trisha splinted Bart’s broken hand. He fainted when she did it, which was a good thing because Slade seemed really pissed that Bart kept crying. Bart wasn’t doing that for the moment while he was passed out cold.

Trisha took advantage of it and bandaged his bleeding hand and secured it to the brace. She carefully assessed it, deciding that if they didn’t get him to a trauma room soon he’d lose the entire hand. She stated that assessment softly to Slade.

“I’ll get right on that.” Slade frowned at her. “Right after I sprout wings to fly us out of here. What do you want me to say? We’re screwed.”

“You could walk up to the road to flag someone down instead of standing there making smartass remarks.”

“What about the two trucks up there that tried to drive us off the road? Oh yeah.

They did that and they could still come back to make sure we’re dead. They did go to all that trouble to try to kill us in the first place. They also have guns.”

“You didn’t see them coming down here, right?”

Slade’s expression hardened with anger. “They might be picking up the jerks from the red truck I shot holes in. There’s possibly even more of them coming after us. Maybe they want to make it a party. They might be heading down this way right now. I’ll go check while you stay put.” He spun on his heel and disappeared around the SUV.

Trisha sank down on her butt. Her head hurt and her knee throbbed. She avoided moving her sore shoulder. Every time she stirred her right arm she wanted to wince.

She reached up with her left hand to rub her injured shoulder. It wasn’t dislocated and she didn’t feel anything broken. She hoped it was just a strained muscle or just a deep bruise. Bruising in soft tissue could be very painful.

Bart came around. Trisha smiled at him. “How are you feeling?”

“I hurt. I don’t want this job anymore.”

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Trisha nodded. “I don’t blame you. Why don’t you try to sit up?”

“I don’t want to. When is the ambulance going to arrive? Did Slade go for help?”

“He went to go make sure those people who ran us off the road aren’t trying to come down here to find us. He’ll be back and we’ll get out of here soon. Don’t worry, Bart. I’m a doctor, remember? You’re doing fine.”

* * * * *

Slade ignored his injuries. Anger helped as he climbed the hillside, every one of his senses on high alert. Gasoline messed with his nose, making it difficult to distinguish smells. Some of it had spilled from the destroyed SUV to leak through the debris he navigated and his gaze darted above for any sign of unnatural movement.

Trisha could have been killed. Rage gripped him at the thought. She’d definitely been hurt. The smell of her blood still lingered in his memory despite the horrible gas smell. He half hoped one or two of the assholes who’d attacked them tracked them.

He’d love to kill the bastards for harming her.

A huge mass of rock stopped his progress as he peered up a twenty-foot wall. The SUV had dropped from above. The sight made him realize how lucky they’d been to survive. The front of the vehicle had taken most of the damage but if they’d hit it on the side… He shivered. Trisha would have died.

The memory of trying to grab her, to shield her body with his through the worst of the crash would haunt him. She’d been torn from his hold at the end when his head had smashed into metal. It had dazed him enough to make his body go limp. It terrified him to realize how close she’d come to being ejected when he saw she’d ended up in the very back of the SUV.

The human male at the wheel should have been stronger, tougher, and driven them to safety. Instead fear and panic had gripped Bart until he’d lost control of the situation and crashed the vehicle. He clenched his teeth.

He should have insisted upon driving but Justice had wanted a human at the wheel to draw less attention. The tinted windows shielded the sight of Slade from passing vehicles on the road. He swore that was the last time he followed that certain order again. He’d be the one to drive if Trisha traveled in another SUV.

Gratitude gripped him over demanding he ride with Trisha. The idea of her having been attacked without him there left him cold inside. He continued to scan the area above, watching for any signs of their attackers. Humans would follow the path of destruction to locate them. Perhaps they assumed they’d died.

He relaxed. His people would realize they had met trouble when they didn’t arrive soon. It would be dark before help arrived but he could keep Trisha alive regardless of how long it took his people to find them.

A sound reached him and a small rain of dirt trickled to his far left. He instantly honed his senses.

41

Laurann Dohner

“Fuck,” a male voice cursed. “I need gloves.”

“Be happy we had some rope. Think they died?”

“I’m not leaving it to chance,” yet another male voice stated. “We need to find the bodies to prove we killed those animal freaks. We’ll take pictures with our cell phones.”

“I hope these hold. Are you sure our combined weight won’t snap the ropes?” The man who spoke had a slight accent. “Did they have to go off the road here? It’s pretty rough terrain.”

Slade spun, moved fast, and hid behind trees to get a better fix on the sound from far above. He spotted six males, all in various states of dress, but the thing they shared in common was the shotguns secured to their backs. His lips parted, his fangs flashed, but he held back the growl that threatened to burst forth at the sight of his enemies.

He could fight them, lie in wait to attack, but what if he failed? He’d lost his weapon during the crash. He couldn’t shoot any of them to even out the numbers. It would leave Trisha defenseless against them if he failed to kill all of the men before they took him out with bullets. Humans would have her at their mercy.

A soft snarl got past him as he spun to quickly return to her. He wouldn’t take any chances with her life. Bart didn’t strike him as a tough enough male to travel with injuries. As he moved quickly but quietly, to avoid alerting the men above him to his presence, he came to a grim decision.

He’d have to leave the human security guard behind if Bart refused to flee. Trisha might protest. She had a soft heart but regardless of what it took, Slade would save her.

Even if he had to knock her out and carry her over his shoulder. Determination made him travel faster to reach her.

* * * * *

“We have to move now,” Slade growled suddenly from behind Trisha.

She jumped and twisted her head, wincing. Her shoulder screamed in protest at the sudden motion. “What’s wrong?”

“Six men are on their way down to us. They have ropes and guns with them. I think that’s what took them this long to try to come down. It’s steep where we flew off the road.”

“Maybe it’s help.” Bart sounded hopeful.

“With shotguns strapped to their backs?” Slade snapped. “Give me a break. They will be here soon.” Slade spun. “Get up. I’m grabbing what I found that may be useful for us to survive and we’re going on the move. It will be dark soon and that will help us lose them.”

Trisha struggled to stand and tried to get Bart to take her hand to pull him to his feet with his good arm. He adamantly shook his head.

“No. I’ll stay here. It’s got to be those anti New Species people. I’ll just tell them I’m human and they’ll get me help.”

42

Slade

“Have you lost your mind?” Trisha gasped. “They tried to kill us and you think telling them you’re human is going to matter to those types?”

“They hate New Species and I’m sure that’s why we were attacked. Maybe they even thought I was driving Justice North. They really hate him.”

Slade came back carrying Trisha’s overnight bag. He moved to Trisha and dropped it over her head and under her arm similar to a sling without asking first. He avoided resting the strap on her sore shoulder. It surprised her that he’d obviously noticed her favoring that side. He looked furious as he glared at Bart.

“We’re leaving. I think they will kill you so get your ass up and move if you want to live.” Slade snarled the words. “You’re going to die if you stay here, kid. I don’t have time to hold your hand while you try to find your brain. I won’t lose my life or hers standing here reasoning with you. Get on your feet.”

Bart glared back at Slade. “I’m human and they aren’t going to hurt me. They will call me an ambulance.”

“You’ll die but I don’t have time to argue. You were warned. I tried and that’s all I can do for you.” Slade turned and cupped Trisha’s face in his large hand, forcing her to look up at him. His intense gaze met hers. “We need to move fast and put distance between us and them. You are limping and I’m going to carry you on my back. I’d put you in front of me in my arms but it’s rough terrain and I’ll need my hands free. Don’t argue with me, Doc. They are coming. We’ll die if we stay.”

Trisha had to agree. She had no doubt those men were dangerous. “Okay.”

Slade turned his back to her and crouched down. He twisted his head to peer at her and opened his arms at his sides. “Climb on.”

She hadn’t gotten a piggyback ride since she’d been a little girl. She didn’t hesitate though as she climbed onto Slade’s back. She wrapped her arms loosely around his neck, making sure she wasn’t about to choke him and he gripped her thighs at his hips as he rose. Trisha stared at Bart on the ground.

“Come with us. Please?”

“They aren’t going to hurt me. I’ll call Homeland when I reach a hospital. I’ll tell them what happened and they’ll send help for you.”

“Last chance,” Slade growled as he turned away from the SUV. “Follow us or die.”

He moved quickly through the dense trees, not waiting for Bart to respond. Trisha held on.

43

Laurann Dohner

Chapter Four

Slade shifted Trisha’s weight slightly. She looped her arms over his shoulders, trying to support her weight and not slide down his back. He had lifted her higher up onto his back, hooked his arms under her bent knees, and locked his hands together at his waist.

“You could put me down. I can walk. My knee isn’t that bad.”

“You’re fine. I want to make another mile before the sun is totally down. We’ll keep moving for as long as there is light for them to track us.”

The sky filled with pink streaks above them as the sun lowered. The wind picked up and blew chilly air at them from behind. Trisha was cold on her back but was toasty warm down the front of her body where it pressed against Slade. Her arms hurt from holding onto him and she tried to ignore the achy muscles between her thighs. She wasn’t used to straddling something for a long period of time.

“You have to be getting tired, Slade. Come on. Put me down. I’m heavy. I know you are strong but this is a bit much. You said that we’ve covered a few miles so far. At least slow your pace. You’re going to wear yourself out.”

“Shut up,” he ordered. “I’m trying to concentrate by telling myself you aren’t there.

You screw that up every time you talk.”

“Thanks.”

“That wasn’t an insult but you aren’t as light as a feather. I’m trying to forget you are there to convince my brain my muscles aren’t aching.”

She bit her lip. “Sorry.”

“Shut up,” he sighed.

She refrained from speaking as she darted a glance around the area. Slade really could move, walking faster than she could jog with his long legs. He only slowed down when they climbed uphill or if he had to get them both over a fallen log. They’d had to do that twice.

“BOOM!” Pause. “BOOM! BOOM!”

“What was that?” Trisha’s heart raced.

Slade stopped, tilted his head at a slight angle, and tensed. “They must have found Bart.”

“Those were gunshots, right?”

“Three shots. Yeah.” Slade started walking again. “I guess they didn’t care if he was pure human after all.”

44

Slade

Trisha couldn’t stop the tears that welled in her eyes. Those men wouldn’t have shot something unless they meant to kill it. Bart had been sure they’d care he wasn’t New Species. He’d just been a scared kid who hadn’t deserved to die.

“Don’t cry for him, Doc,” Slade growled. “I know this is tough but survive first and grieve later. You can’t do anything for him now.”

She fought the urge to weep, knowing Slade had a valid point. They would both die too if those men caught up with them. Slade moved faster as Trisha clung to him while darkness slowly fell. Slade slowed eventually but kept moving.

“How can you see?”

He breathed heavily now. “My night vision is better than yours. I can’t see really well but I haven’t walked us into anything yet.”

“You need to rest.”

Slade uttered a soft curse as he stopped. His arms slid out from under her knees.

Trisha groaned when he lowered her to the ground until her feet touched. Her knees held her weight and she released him but was a little shaky. It was so dark she couldn’t even see him. She jumped when his hands touched her waist.

“Walk this way. I’ll lead you. We’ll lie down for a little while to rest. They could still be tracking if they have flashlights but it would severely slow them down. I also walked on rocks as much as I could to hide our tracks and they didn’t have hunting dogs with them. We’re also downwind and it will be harder for them to scent us. That’s why I kept it at our backs.”

He helped her to the ground where she sat on soft grass. She moved and bumped something hard and rough with her elbow.

“They can’t smell us, Slade. New Species have that ability but humans don’t.”

“I keep forgetting that.” He paused. “That’s a small tree next to you so be careful not to hit it.”

“Thanks. I can barely see my hand in front of my face.” Trisha peered up at the sky.

“I don’t even see a moon.”

“Too much forest is in the way. The trees are thick in this area. That’s good for us.”

“Shouldn’t we double back and try to find the highway?”

“No.” Slade moved, touching her. His fingers brushed her breast and he yanked his hand away instantly. “Sorry. Give me the bag.”

Trisha removed it and held it out blindly in the direction she thought he was. The weight of the bag eased from the strap and she let it go, knowing he had it. She heard the zipper before Slade pressed something against her arm.

“It’s all we have so just take a sip. I’m hoping we run into water soon.”

Trisha uncapped the bottled water by feel and took a sip to soothe her dry throat.

She took another tiny sip before putting the cap back on.

“Thanks. Here.”

45

Laurann Dohner

His hand brushed hers as he took it from her grasp. She heard him take a drink.

“Why shouldn’t we find the highway?”

“They could have more people searching for us. They could be driving the roads hoping we’ll pop up. That’s what I’d do if I had prey I wanted to hunt. We’re safer lost.

All our vehicles have tracking systems. It might take a while for my people to locate the signal since there wasn’t even a cell reception this far out but they know where to look.

Justice knew our route. By now he knows something happened to us. We should have arrived before dark. He would have tried to call me and when I didn’t answer, he would have known we were in trouble. We’ll stay out here. My people will hopefully find us before those humans do.”

“Do you think we’ll be found by your people tomorrow?”

Slade hesitated. “I don’t know, Doc.”

“I have a first name, you know. It’s Trisha. Would it kill you to use it?”

Silence. “It wouldn’t kill me.”

Trisha took a deep breath. She’d had a hellish day, didn’t feel well, her body ached, and hunger clawed at her belly. Her frustration level rose. “But you won’t use it, will you? Why do you go out of your way to try to annoy me? What did I ever do to you?”

Long minutes of silence passed. Trisha shook her head, guessing he wasn’t going to answer. A hand touched her arm and she jumped, startled. She hadn’t expected that at all.

“Let’s lie down. We should sleep a few hours while we can.”

“What if they find us? Should we take shifts sleeping while one of us keeps guard?”

“No. We’re downwind from them. I’d smell them if they were near enough to us for them to reach us that soon. I’m going to lie down next to you. You can use me for a pillow, Doc. You need my body heat to stay warm.”

“No thanks.”

She heard him either snort or chuckle but wasn’t sure which. “It’s getting pretty cold and the ground is hard, Doc. When you get tired of both you can curl up to me.

Good night.”

His hand left Trisha and he stretched out next to her because his body settled against part of her thigh. Her vision adjusted somewhat until she could nearly make out his shape on the ground. The wind blew colder as time passed. Trisha settled down, moving a few inches away from Slade. She turned on her side and used her arm as a pillow. Hunger and exhaustion nagged at her. As she lay there another problem arose.

“Slade?”

“What?”

“I have to use the bathroom.”

He sighed. “Fine.” He sat up. “Give me your hand and I’ll lead you somewhere farther downwind.”

46

Slade

“Why?”

He hesitated. “I don’t want to smell urine. I really don’t want to be downwind if you have to do more than that.”

“Oh.” She blushed. She’d never thought of that.

He gently pulled Trisha to her feet and she followed him. He walked about twenty feet before stopping. “You can go right here. I’ll go about fifteen feet away. I may as well go while you’re at it.”

“How do I know you won’t watch?”

He suddenly laughed. “I’m perverse but that doesn’t do it for me, Doc. I’ll be back real soon so hurry.”

It had been fifteen years since Trisha had been camping. She unfastened her slacks and dropped her pants. Being blind didn’t help. She prayed that Slade really wasn’t somewhere he could see her. She heard something faintly and smiled. She envied him being a man at that moment. She quickly finished up and righted her clothes. She stepped a few feet forward and waited.

“Hope you don’t wipe with your hand,” he snorted softly. “Tell me now if you did and I don’t take that one.”

“I didn’t.” Trisha sighed. “You are just sick. Did anyone ever tell you that? Who would do that?”

He laughed. “I don’t know but I wanted to make sure.” He clasped her hand in his and led her back to their resting spot. “Good night, Doc.”

“Stop calling me that. It’s Trisha. Why won’t you say my name? What did I ever do to you to make you not like me so much?”

Silence.

Anger gripped her. “I’ll keep talking if you don’t answer me. I thought you wanted to get some sleep.”

“You wouldn’t dare. I saved your life by carrying you for miles on my back today.”

“I totally would. Tell me what I did to deserve you not even saying my name. I want an answer. You have no idea how annoying it is. I’m going to start calling you 215

if you don’t knock it off or at least explain to me why you feel the need to make me mad.”

A growl tore through the silence of the night. Trisha instantly knew she’d gone too far. She had known it the second the words passed her lips but it was too late to take it back. She’d read somewhere that all the New Species absolutely hated being called by their file numbers. She hadn’t meant to really insult him. She’d only thought it would annoy him the way he did her by calling her anything but her name.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.” Her voice softened. “I just want to know why you refuse to say my name.”

47

Laurann Dohner

Pain lanced through Slade at the reminder of his past. Anger quickly followed. Is that how she viewed him every time she looked at him? As a victim? As the half-wild creature he’d been when he’d awoken inside the hospital room assuming she’d just been new enough to the testing facility to be foolish enough to remove his restraints?

Usually, given an opportunity, he would have instantly killed a human male but she’d been female.

He’d never kill a female. He’d grabbed her instead. Even half out of it, he hadn’t wanted to harm her. Once he had her body pinned under his, her scent had filled his nose, and he’d peered into those incredible eyes, her pouty lips, and his body had roared to life. He’d wanted her more than any woman he’d ever touched.

He’d wanted to keep her for as long as possible. Enjoy every inch of her and make her burn with the passion he felt. He would have gone days without food or water just to know her body. To possess something so wonderful and forbidden. Any punishment would have been worth the cost of pleasuring them both until they couldn’t move. Then and only then, he’d have released her from his arms. The memory of the time they shared could have lasted him for years when his mind threatened to break from the pain and agony he suffered on a regular basis.

Of course it hadn’t gone the way he’d planned. He’d been in for a shock when more humans rushed into the room to pin him down, his reflexes slowed by the drugs in his system, and he’d awoken to discover his world changed forever. He no longer was locked inside his cell, no longer chained to a wall, and the scents around him assured him that nothing was familiar. They kept him restrained but he understood why it had been necessary. He wouldn’t have attacked them but he would have tried to flee.

Four females in uniforms had leaned against the wall of the hospital room to inform him he’d been rescued, his people freed, and they’d slowly explained he needed to calm down. They’d shown him videos on a little machine of more of his people, taped footage of the rescue, and sworn no harm would befall him. It had taken time for it to sink in that they were telling him the truth. The shock had staggered him. The females meant no harm, they didn’t work for Mercile, and that life no longer existed.

He’d been transferred from the hospital to a remote motel in the desert with dozens of his people. All female military officers had been assigned to protect them at the secured location. Humans had quickly assessed that New Species males wouldn’t attack human females and had used that as a way to assure they didn’t feel threatened. It had worked. The females hadn’t even carried guns except for the ones who patrolled the perimeters to keep humans away.

The U.S. Government had promised them a place of their own, where their people could live safely from the press and from other humans who viewed them as a threat.

They’d read books, watched television, and talked to humans who answered all their questions. The months spent in the desert waiting for such a place to finish construction had calmed them, assured them that they had human rights, and his new life had begun at Homeland. He’d gone from being a test subject to a man. The Doc obviously didn’t agree. To her, he’d always be 215.

48

Slade

It hurt. All he’d wanted was to have her view him as a sexual male, her equal, and he’d messed that up for good by insulting her by not recognizing her when he met her again. She obviously didn’t have forgiveness in her heart. The pain turned to anger quickly. Damn her. If any male deserves some leeway, it is me.

The memory of touching her, tasting her skin, and the scent of her arousal flashed.

She might not think of him as a man but her body could be persuaded otherwise. Lust and desire gripped him hard. Maybe she just needed to be taught without her mind mucking up the truth. He moved before he could talk himself out of the crazy idea.

Two hands suddenly grabbed Trisha by her shoulders. Slade took her to the ground, flat on her back, and suddenly ended up on top of her. Trisha struggled but she couldn’t get him off her. He pinned her down with his body. She opened her mouth but his hand clamped over it.

“Are you going to scream and tell those murderers where we are? Sound can carry a long way.”

She had planned on yelling at him. She shook her head against his palm. The hand instantly released her. Trisha pushed at Slade.

“Get off me right now,” she hissed.

“Do you want to know why I won’t say your name, Trisha?” He spoke softly to her, almost whispered.

She swallowed, surprised that he’d finally uttered her name. “Why?”

“It gets under your skin the way you get under mine all the time. I think it’s only fair if I annoy you as much as you do me.”

“How do I annoy you? You’re the one who’s always got some smartass remark to say and who constantly makes some sexually rude comment.”

“You’re the one I want to fuck so bad you make me ache.” He growled at her.

“That’s more annoying than me shooting my mouth off, Doc. Trust me. I don’t make you so hard that you worry about busting out of your pants. You do that to me.”

His words left her speechless. She’d never expected that answer from him in a million years. Out of all the things he could have said, those things wouldn’t have even made her list.

With his traumatic history she could see him hating anyone in the medical profession. She also thought he might think her a snob because people always accused her of being standoffish. She didn’t mean to be but she just didn’t know how to relate to people.

“Nothing to say now, Doc?”

She didn’t know what to say.

Slade growled. “You’re one cold bitch. I wonder sometimes if you ever heat up.” He paused. “Do you ever warm up even a little?”

“I’m not cold.”

49

Laurann Dohner

“Really? You fool me all the time.”

“That’s not fair of you to even say. You don’t really know me. We’ve barely spoken unless it’s to insult each other or say something rude.”

“Ummm.” He shifted. “Warm up for me, Doc.”

Trisha gasped when Slade arched his stomach away from her body. His hand slid between them and fisted her shirt. She tried to grab it but Slade moved faster. He yanked the material all the way up her body to her neck and pushed away her frantic hands. His finger hooked the edge of her bra cup and gave it a yank. Trisha’s breast was freed to the chilly air that hit her skin.

“Nice,” Slade growled before his mouth lowered.

Trisha pushed frantically at Slade’s broad chest until his mouth closed over her hardened nipple. She gasped at the shocking feel of hot lips and wet, rough tongue when Slade gently sucked the tip of her breast into his mouth. He growled, causing vibrations. Trisha froze, ceasing her struggles. It was an erotic feeling, something she’d never experienced before, and then Slade suckled on her with hard tugs.

Trisha’s stomach quivered and she couldn’t stop the moan that came from her parted lips. The sensation of what he did to her felt amazing. She arched her chest upward against his face to give him better access and at the same time realized she wasn’t pushing at his chest anymore. Her fingers clutched the material of his NSO

uniform to keep him close instead.

Slade sucked harder and his teeth rubbed against her sensitive nipple. Trisha moaned louder. She found his hair and dug her fingers around his scalp, holding his head in place. Her heart raced and she knew her body responded in a shocking manor when desire nearly burned her alive.

Slade’s other hand shoved at her thigh when he lifted his body off her enough to put a little space between them. He pushed against it to spread her thighs wider. She gasped as his hand cupped between her spread legs under him. He pressed his thumb against the center of her slacks and rubbed firmly right over her clit. She reacted instantly as the sensation tore through her body.

“Yes,” she moaned.

Slade froze, his entire body stiffening over hers. His hand tore away from her sex at the same instant he released her breast with his mouth. Cold air hit her bare, wet nipple as he jerked away from her. Trisha’s eyes flew open and she tried to see him in the dark but he was just a dark shadow above her.

“You do warm up,” he rasped so softly she almost didn’t hear him.

“Slade?” Her voice came out shaky and breathless.

He uttered a vicious curse and rolled away from Trisha. His shadowy form stood.

She pushed upward, wincing at the sudden pain that tore through her shoulder. She stared in shock at his fading outline as he backed away from her. She barely 50

Slade

remembered her bared breast and reached down to fix her bra. She shoved down her shirt to cover it.

“I’ll be back,” he stated harshly. “I’m going to make sure no one is near us.”

“But…”

Trisha closed her mouth. She trembled and her body ached. That son of a bitch.

Anger poured through her. He’d purposely turned her on and stormed away, leaving her to deal with the rejection. That’s exactly what it had been. She’d practically begged him to take her. She may not have said the words but her body had done the talking for her.

“Bastard,” she cursed.

Trisha lay back down. Her body tingled in all the wrong places. Her breasts felt unbelievably heavy and the one he’d touched had become so oversensitive that her bra cup against it nearly hurt. She clenched her teeth. She’d change her underwear if she had a spare set since hers were soaked from sexual desire. She turned on her side and drew her knees up to huddle in a tight ball.

That bastard! she silently screamed. He’d turned her on just see if he could.

She attempted to find a comfortable position on the hard, cold ground. She should have gone through her clothes that had been spread out around the crashed SUV to find a long-sleeved shirt but it had been warm during the day. She shivered and huddled tighter. Forever seemed to pass and Slade didn’t return.

Eventually fear set in. Has he just abandoned me here? Has something happened to him?

Did those men find him? Tears welled in her eyes but she fought them back, blinking rapidly to accomplish it. With my luck he’ll come back in time to find me crying.

He hated tears. She had seen him react to Bart’s pain and she had a pretty good idea that most New Species didn’t have a lot of patience with weakness. They’d had very harsh lives and it had been instilled in them over the many years of captivity they’d endured that weaknesses were bad. She’d bet her life Slade didn’t ever cry.

51

Laurann Dohner

Chapter Five

Slade watched the camp grimly. The humans were closer than he wished but far enough away to assure him they wouldn’t catch them quickly. He’d keep moving throughout the night but Trisha wasn’t New Species. She’d need to rest with her weaker human body.

She hadn’t complained but he’d noticed her fatigue. He had to admit to feeling a certain amount of pride at how well she’d taken the stress of the situation. Humans weren’t very tough but she’d been brave. It made him want her more.

His cock finally softened enough for him to move without pain. His teeth clenched.

He’d nearly taken her body on the dirt. He’d have become the animal she probably believed him to be when he fucked her like one on the ground.

The taste of her sweet kiss and the feel of her plush curves against his body had driven him to near insanity. She deserved more than a quick coupling on the ground.

He may be part animal but she wasn’t. Human females expected certain things from males. A soft bed, a romantic setting and maybe candles. He’d be damned before he allowed his instincts and desire to drive him to do something else he’d regret.

He needed to stay in control until they were safe. Once they returned to Homeland, he’d seduce Trisha in a bed, inside a home, in a secure location where danger didn’t lurk. He’d take his time, strip her slowly, and explore every inch of her until her need grew as strong as his. Then he’d make love to her. Gently, do his best to pretend he could be more human than he actually was, for her sake.

He sniffed the air, the smell of smoke nearly making him sneeze, and slowly withdrew from the area. He’d left Trisha longer than he’d intended to. He’d had to make certain he had his desire under control before he touched her again. Otherwise all his good intentions would be forgotten.

He’d been an ass when her body had curled against his. Restraint wasn’t his strongest asset but he’d try for her. She deserved a male who could respect her human needs. Those being a bed to have sex in and to have it at the appropriate time.

They’d have to leave before the sun rose. Trisha being in danger wasn’t acceptable to him. Justice would have teams searching for them by now. The humans may have to wait until the sun rose to mount a rescue mission but New Species were already tracking them. He knew that as well as he knew the tempting feminine scent he followed right back to Trisha.

He spotted her huddled form on the ground, a snarl rose in his throat that he had to force down to muffle, not enjoying how cold she appeared. He’d left her for too long.

Was there anything he could do right when it came to her? It seemed not. His stride quickened in his need to warm her and make certain she survived the night.

52

Slade

Calm down, he ordered his body. Act natural so you don’t frighten her.

Something rustled, sounding similar to crunching leaves being shifted. Trisha tensed but didn’t move as she listened. She only heard the wind in the trees above her.

Her fear spiked when she saw something move close to her. It was big, man-sized, and drawing near.

“We’re good,” Slade announced softly as he settled down next to her.

She wanted to cry over him coming back to her, that grateful that he’d returned safely, and hadn’t abandoned her. She swallowed a sob. She blinked hard at the tears that swam in her eyes. Slade stretched out onto his back next to her, just inches away, and he took a deep breath.

“Curl into me,” he demanded. “It’s cold.”

Trisha didn’t speak, too afraid something in her voice would give away the fact that she was so emotional. She just lay next to him, listening to his breathing.

“Fine. Don’t.” He had an annoyed tone in his voice. “Night.”

Minutes had to have passed when she heard his breathing change, slowing, and guessed he probably slept. She waited a few more minutes to be sure before she inched forward, closing the distance. His hands were looped together behind his head to form a pillow. She pressed her body against his side, facing him. Her head rested down on his thickly muscled arm.

He was very warm. She shivered, burrowing tighter against him until her body pressed against his firmly. She put her hand on his stomach. Suddenly the body against hers tensed. Trisha froze, her heart pounded. His breathing had changed.

“Cold, Doc?”

She hesitated. “I’m freezing.”

He sighed. “See what I mean about how annoying you are?” He pulled down one of his arms and his hand closed over Trisha’s hand on his stomach. Then he pushed it lower. Her palm ended up covering a mound. “Feel that?”

Trisha tried to yank her hand away from his pants but his over hers prevented her from doing that. He pushed her palm tighter against him.

“Want to keep warm, Doc?”

She clenched her teeth. “Want to let go of my hand?”

“Rub me.”

“Fuck you.”

He chuckled. “I’d let you, sweet thing. There are a few problems with that. First off, you are loud. I can’t have you screaming out while I’m fucking you since we’re being hunted. You’d let them know where we are. Second problem is that if you want to lie against me and stay warm while you sleep, I want to sleep too. I can’t while you could take my pulse by how hard you make me.”

53

Laurann Dohner

“You’re such an asshole.”

“There’s that option.” He laughed. “I don’t think that would feel good, Doc. I’d rather hear you scream in pleasure than in pain. But that still means there would be screaming. You’d give away our location.”

His meaning sank in. Her mouth opened. “You…you…”

“Not a back door kind of gal, huh? Good thing we found something we agree on.

I’m not into that either. I’ve been assured by humans it’s tighter but I’m a pussy man.

Now, either rub me or move away.”

“Release my hand.”

He didn’t. He moved it against him. “See? That’s not bad, is it? I would say that’s not hard but it really is, Doc.”

Fury slammed into Trisha. “Fine. Do you want me to take care of your problem, Slade?”

He hesitated. “If you hurt me, Doc, well, I wouldn’t advise it. I’d hurt you back.”

His hand over hers eased up and lifted away.

Trisha cupped her hand firmly over the outline of his thick, hard cock, trapped inside his pants. It felt impressive in length and girth. She moved, sitting up, and reached blindly for the front of his pants. His body stiffened next to her.

“What are you doing, Doc?”

“You want touched, right? Well, I’m going to, Slade. I have to open your pants to do that.”

“Allow me,” he rasped softly. The amusement seemed gone from his voice now.

Trisha lifted her hands. Slade moved and she heard a zipper. She could barely make out his shape. He lifted his hips and shoved his pants down to mid-thigh. Trisha couldn’t make out much but she knew when Slade freed his cock from his pants.

She stared, trying to see. She could barely make out anything but it appeared he had nothing to be ashamed of, that was for sure. There was no missing that shadowy shape standing erect and proud. He was long and thick, just the way he’d felt. She hesitated, the idea of that inside her a little scary if they ever did have sex. He was bigger than anyone she’d ever been with. Her past number of lovers wasn’t impressive, just a few, but none of them compared to him.

“Doc? We should get some sleep before we need to be moving on.” His voice was a soft growl. “I’ll zip up. I shouldn’t have done that. I’m sorry. I am being a bastard. I was half asleep and just a tad too tired.”

Trisha’s hands shook slightly as she moved forward. One of her hands curled around Slade’s cock before he could cover it. She heard him suck in air. He was hard all right and hot. His skin was velvety soft wrapped over steel-hard thickness. She let her fingers and palm explore him. Slade’s breathing increased.

“That feels so good,” he groaned.

54

Slade

Trisha’s anger seeped away. He turned her on. She hated it but he did. She enjoyed touching him. She bit her lip and curled her other hand at the base of Slade’s cock. He shifted his legs, trying to open them wider for her to explore him. He softly cursed when his pants bunched at his thighs and wouldn’t allow it.

“That’s good, Doc.”

“Trisha,” she ordered softly. “Call me by my name or I stop.” She gripped his shaft more firmly, moving her hand against the crown of his cock to trace the rim.

“Trisha,” he groaned. “That feels so good.”

“I wish I had lotion.”

“Me too, Doc.”

She tore her hands from him. “My name is Trisha. Use it.”

Slade sat up. “Want me to use your name?”

“Yes. I do.”

“Fine.” He moved away, shoved his pants and underwear down his long legs to his ankles, and lunged for her.

Trisha gasped when he grabbed her. He yanked her up to her knees as he got to his.

His hands left her arms and he grabbed her hips and lifted her, turning her away from him.

“What are you doing?” Excitement and a little fear merged but she wasn’t protesting.

“Put your legs between mine,” he growled in a rough tone, spreading his bare thighs apart to make room for her.

Trisha twisted her head. “Why?”

“Do it,” he rasped. “Now, Trisha.”

Her heart started to pound. She had an idea what he would do. He was on his knees and he’d turned her until her back was to him. She shifted and fit both of her legs between his, which were spread apart. Her feet tangled with his pants at his ankles but she lifted them to hook over the material. One of his hands left her hip and his other hand slid to the front of her body. She tensed, her breathing increased, as he unfastened her pants. His chest pressed against her back as he lowered his head until his breath fanned her ear.

“I’m going to fuck you, Trisha.” He growled when he stated it. “I’m going to sink so deep into your pussy that you will want to scream out my name but you can’t. Do you think you can keep quiet?” He shoved her pants down. Her panties were pushed down to her lower thighs next and all the material bunched together.

Trisha’s breathing was shaky. She wanted Slade. “Yes.”

He made another growling noise. One of his hands slid up her shirt and pushed her bra cup up. His hand gripped her bare breast and gently squeezed.

55

Laurann Dohner

“Bend over for me, Trisha. I’m going to fuck you the way I’ve wanted to since I saw you. I’m going to drive so deep into that wet little sheath of yours until you don’t know where I end and you begin. I bet you’re going to be so tight that you fist around my dick and I have to fight to move inside you.”

She put her hands on the ground. She’d never in a million years have thought she’d have sex with a man in the middle of the night in the woods on her hands and knees.

Then again, she never thought she’d want anyone as much as she wanted Slade. Her body screamed for him to enter her pussy and she knew he wouldn’t be disappointed with how he imagined she’d feel wrapped around his cock. He was so big it had to be a tight fit.

His hand cupped her between her thighs firmly, massaging her clit first and spreading the wet heat of her desire. She moaned as his fingers explored her from her clit to her anus. He pushed a finger slowly inside her pussy, the sensation amazing as his thick digit pushed in deep, and Trisha arched her back as pleasure tore through her.

“So wet, Trisha. So fucking tight too. I knew you would be.” He growled softly while he withdrew his finger and traced the seam of her pussy lips, before moving it away.

“Slade?” She feared he’d change his mind, stop, and her body ached.

“I can’t wait, need to be inside you too bad to stretch you more with my finger. I’m sorry but I’ve got to fuck you right now or I’m going to die.” He pressed the crown of his cock right at the entrance of her vaginal opening. His hand left her breast and he gripped her hips with both hands. “Quiet, sweet thing. Be real still. I’m going to be easy with you. You’re so tight I’m afraid I’ll hurt you and I don’t want that.”

Trisha bit her lip as Slade pressed the thick tip of his cock against her pussy. She almost panted, aching so much it hurt. His cock entered her slowly when he slid into her an inch, then pushed in more. His shaft was wide and her body stretched to accommodate him. Trisha wanted more and pushed back against him. He gripped her hips, moved his body to match her movements but he didn’t allow her to take him inside her farther.

“Slade,” she begged.

“Don’t move,” he demanded. His hand left her hip and he gripped her around her chest. He pulled her up and she straightened. They were on their knees and her back leaned firmly against his chest again. “Ready, Trisha?”

She opened her mouth to tell him she was but his hand gripping her hip jerked away. His palm suddenly covered her mouth just as he thrust into her hard and deep.

Trisha screamed out in rapture.

Slade’s hand muffled the sound. His hips pumped fast, hard and deep. He drove in and out of her pussy with a wild abandon that drove her insane. Pleasure notched higher, nearly unbearable, and she knew she was going to come. She’d wanted him for too long, dreamed of how it would be and the reality was much better than any fantasy.

Just him hammering his cock inside her was enough to draw a climax from her.

56

Slade

His hand around her chest slid down her body and dived between her thighs. His fingers found the magic spot, rubbing against her clit furiously as he pounded into her pussy harder from behind. She cried out again against his palm, panting, and her vaginal muscles clenched around the thick shaft.

“Fuck,” he growled softly. “So fucking amazing.”

Trisha didn’t even care that Slade had his hand over her mouth as long as he kept it clear from her nose to make certain she could breathe. She didn’t really care if she could get air or not at that moment. Nothing had ever been so good. The sexual satisfaction became more intense as Slade pounded faster into her body, hard enough that he nearly lifted her from the ground, and she screamed as she climaxed.

Her insides were going insane, muscles clenching and shaking. She screamed again as pressure increased against her oversensitive vaginal canal, sending even more overwhelming ecstasy through her. Slade suddenly bit her shoulder and a muffled, vicious sound tore from between his lips, which were sealed around her skin. His hips jerked violently against her ass, grinding against her, until everything stilled except their heavy breathing. Trisha could feel heat seeping through her from the inside out from his hot semen as it filled her.

Slade opened his mouth and released Trisha’s shoulder from his teeth. She felt nearly boneless and didn’t care that he’d bitten her. She didn’t mind the slight pain in that area. It didn’t hurt as much as softly throb.

She was more in tune to the heat that continued to flood her pussy, coming from Slade. He’d continued to ejaculate as her vaginal muscles squeezed around his still-hard cock buried inside her welcoming body. She felt fused to Slade with the way their bodies seemed connected and she really enjoyed the feeling. She resisted the urge to collapse against him and stay there for a very long time.

“Don’t move, Trisha.” Slade finally got his heavy breathing under control. “It will hurt if I try to pull out right now.”

“I know,” she breathed. “You swell during sex. It’s a New Species thing.”

“Every guy swells up for sex.” He chuckled. “We swell up at the base of our shafts right before we come and stay that way for a few minutes after.”

A horrible thought struck Trisha. “You don’t have needles, do you? God. Tell me that little tiny needles aren’t stuck in me right now holding you there. Some animals have that trait. I know you’re canine but are you sure they didn’t mix you with anything else?”

He laughed, causing his chest to shake against her back. “You crack me up. No. I don’t have needles. That would be a hell of a turn-off, wouldn’t it?”

She relaxed. “Kind of.”

His hand that had held her mouth brushed across her stomach. He pushed his hand under her shirt and his palm brushed across her skin to her rib cage.

“I love being inside you.”

57

Laurann Dohner

Trisha turned her head against his chest. “I love you being there. Wow, Slade. Just wow.”

He laughed. “I’m glad you enjoyed that.”

“It wasn’t just me.”

He licked her shoulder. Trisha started and turned her head toward Slade’s bowed one. “Why are you licking me?” His tongue flicked her skin over and over, creating a strange but not unpleasant sensation. Just odd.

“I broke the skin. Sorry. I guess I should have been lecturing myself about keeping quiet. I bit you to keep from howling.” He licked her again. “You just felt too good and you’re so tight it drove me out of my mind. I had to fight to hold off coming until you did. It was too good, feeling your pussy squeezing me. You taste delicious too.

Ummm.”

“You think my blood tastes good?”

He chuckled and lapped at her shoulder. “It’s an acquired taste. And yeah, you taste really good.”

“Stop it. You don’t have the urge to take a bite out of me, do you?”

She shifted away from his mouth. There was still a lot she didn’t know about New Species. She knew they could eat raw meat, that some of them continued to eat it from years of habit from having it tossed inside their holding cells. Did they crave human flesh?

She experienced a little fear at that thought.

“That sounds fun.”

“You don’t eat people, do you?”

It was a nice sound when Slade laughed. “It won’t be your shoulder that I’d want to eat, Trisha. It sure as hell wouldn’t hurt either.” His laughter died. “I think I’m relaxed enough now to try to separate us. We do need some sleep. We need to get away from those men. I climbed a tree when I checked the perimeter of our camp a little while ago.

They are two ridges over. The idiots lit a fire. I would go pay them a visit they wouldn’t live to regret if I thought leaving you alone would be safe.”

“You’d kill them?” She wasn’t surprised by his statement.

“Bend over, sweet thing. And relax your muscles.”

He had ignored her question. She nodded and bent, forcing her body to relax. Slade slowly withdrew from her. She could feel every inch of his still-rigid cock as he withdrew from her pussy. Her body quivered, still oversensitive. Slade chuckled as he backed away from her.

Trisha turned after she straightened her clothing and fastened her pants. She heard Slade zip up after he righted his own clothing. He lay down on his back on the ground.

“Come here, Doc. Use my chest for a pillow and curl up with me. It will help keep you warm if you snuggle one of your legs between mine.”

She sighed as she crawled toward him and lay down with Slade. He was large and warm. “Can’t you call me Trisha now?”

58

Slade

His body shook under her face as he laughed. One of his arms slid around her waist. “Nope. I’ll only call you Trisha when I’m inside you.”

She shook her head. “Jerk.”

He laughed again.

So much for good intentions. Slade held Trisha tighter against his body. She’d touched him, all bets were off, and he couldn’t say he regretted taking her. It embarrassed him how little restraint he had when it came to the sexy doctor. Just her hand on his stomach when she’d pressed against him had his cock roaring to life. The blood had rushed from one head to the other. He’d lost the ability to think. He’d taken her more as an animal than a man.

He ran his tongue over his fangs. The taste of her blood still lingered there and he ignored his cock stiffening yet again from wanting her. He turned his head enough to brush his nose through her hair. Her scent called to him and drove him a little insane.

Possessive feelings stirred inside his chest and it scared him worse than anything he’d ever experienced. He’d marked her with his bite and had come so hard, so much inside her, that he’d marked her that way too. He’d never experienced anything like it as more and more semen had jetted out of him into her, the pleasure so strong he’d nearly collapsed under the sheer force of it. Only worry that he’d hurt her had kept him up.

She was a smart human, a doctor by profession, and what did he have to offer her?

Sex? A bad disposition? Crude words with animalistic sex? His eyes squeezed closed. She deserved more than that from a male. He couldn’t ever be the type that she’d be proud to have claim her.

Damn. Open mouth, insert foot should be my motto in life. Once again he’d probably made her believe he was a total asshole. He’d earned it after the way he’d demanded she touch him. He just needed her that bad. Wanted her even worse. And having her only made the desire stronger to take her again, to keep taking her.

Her breathing assured him she slept. Otherwise he’d be tempted to roll her, strip her naked, and fuck her for hours. He really longed to have her stretched out bare under him, wanted access to every inch of her skin to lick and taste. To explore until he knew her body as well as his own.

The idea of spreading her legs and feasting on her pussy made him drool. He swallowed hard. The scent of her desire drove him out of his head but to taste it? To have her crying out his name while he licked her to climax sounded heavenly.

His cock began to ache. He was rock hard again, as if he hadn’t just emptied his seed into her until he’d wondered if any remained. She affected him in ways he didn’t seem to have the strength to control.

He promised that he’d try to be a better man for her. First though, he needed to keep her alive. Rage built inside him at the males who threatened his female. Mine?

Damn. I really have it bad for the sexy doc. I just wish she felt the same.

59

Laurann Dohner

Chapter Six

“Hey, time to get up, sweet thing.”

It was still dark when Trisha woke and Slade’s body wasn’t pressed against her side anymore. A hand took hers and he started to pull her to her feet. She groaned softly and stood, still groggy. She wasn’t sure how much sleep she’d gotten but it wasn’t nearly enough.

“Walk about ten feet that way and do your thing.” He released her hand and turned her.

“My thing?”

“Morning piss,” he explained. “Hurry up. I already used the boy’s tree.”

“I can’t see a thing.”

“Then it’s a good thing I am pointing you in a direction where you won’t walk into something. Wake up, Doc. It’s an hour or so before dawn. We need to put more distance between us and them. I already climbed a tree on higher ground and saw they let their fire go out but I can still smell the smoke. They are out there. When it’s light they will have an easier time finding us. That’s why we need to get a move on.”

“’Kay,” she sighed. “I don’t suppose there’s anything to eat?”

“Sorry.”

She nodded and took a step away from Slade when he released her. She walked about twelve feet before she stopped and dropped her pants. She had to pee but it took her a minute to relax enough to squat. She wasn’t awake at all. She’d kill for an iced coffee and even a piece of plain bread. Her stomach rumbled when she thought about food. She hadn’t had anything since breakfast the morning before.

She fastened her slacks and walked back toward Slade. She heard a chuckle somewhere to her right before hands gripped her.

“This way. You’re going in the wrong direction. You aren’t a morning person, are you?”

“No. I’m not.”

“I guess you are one of those women who prefer to stay in bed and hit the snooze button on the alarm over and over again until the last minute.”

“What’s wrong with that? I’ve gotten lax since I left hospital rotations to work at Homeland. I get way more sleep and I can’t say I’m sorry about it.”

He laughed. “No snooze alarm this morning.”

“Yeah. Just some running for our lives.”

60

Slade

“That’s a good sum-up.” He took a deep breath. “Do you think you can walk for a while?”

“I’m feeling better. Sore but better.”

“Are you sore from the accident or from me?”

“Don’t flatter yourself.” Trisha smiled. “You’re impressive but I can still walk just fine.”

“Ready to go, sweet thing?”

“Sure, lollypop.” She grinned, turning her head so he couldn’t see.

“Lollypop?” He almost sounded insulted.

“Because I want to lick you,” she replied sweetly.

He growled and gripped her arm. “You’re only saying that because you know we have to leave.”

“Are you sure about that?”

“Let’s go.”

“Lead the way.”

Trisha couldn’t see a thing. Slade kept a good hold on her arm, warning her when to step over something in their path. She stumbled a few times. Slade paused after the fourth time she nearly fell.

“I’m going to carry you until the dawn. We’re moving way too slow.”

“I’m sorry.” She meant it. He could travel much faster if she wasn’t with him, knowing full well she posed a danger to his survival.

“Don’t worry about it. I know you have your limitations since you’re only human.”

Amusement laced his voice.

Trisha lifted her other hand and gave him the finger. “Can you see this?”

“Maybe later, Doc. I’ll take that as an offer. I’m turning around for you to climb on my back and here’s the bag. If I have to carry you, you need to carry it.”

He carefully put the bag over her head and arm so it rested on her back. He moved until she knew he waited in front of her. He crouched and she climbed onto his back.

He lifted her as she gripped his shoulders and started walking.

Finally, dawn broke and Trisha could see. “Put me down.”

He stopped and released her knees for Trisha to slide down his back to her feet.

They were in a sharp ravine that twisted out of sight. She stared upward on both sides.

“That’s going to be a climb if this thing doesn’t end somewhere soon.”

Dark blue eyes met hers. “I waited for you to be able to see but we need to climb now. I want out of this. It was good for carrying you but we’re better off on higher ground.”

I had to open my mouth, she thought but she nodded. “After you.”

He shook his head. “After you. I want to be able to catch you if you fall.”

61

Laurann Dohner

That made sense to her. She took a deep breath. Slade pointed and Trisha nodded, turned, and saw a lot of brush on both sides. She grabbed hold of a root and started to climb. The ground became rocky in some places but she kept finding handholds with the vegetation. Slade stayed right behind her. Her foot slipped once and Slade grabbed the heel of her shoe, stopping her from sliding. She turned her head.

“Thanks.”

“Keep moving, sweet thing.”

“You got it, lollypop.”

“Knock that off.”

“Right back at you.”

She gave her attention to where she climbed and kept moving. Her hands hurt but she tried to ignore it, knowing their lives were at stake. The light got stronger as the sun rose and the chilly air turned into a warm, sunny morning, causing Trisha to sweat.

Trisha knew her relief showed clearly when they reached the top and she groaned.

She felt as though they’d been climbing forever. A hand suddenly grabbed the back of her slacks and yanked her down. Trisha gasped as she collapsed to her knees. Slade crouched at her side.

“Stay down,” he ordered, flashing her an irritated look. “We’re higher, easier to spot, and your blonde hair is too visible.”

“Sorry. This stuff isn’t my forte.”

“Unfortunately, it is mine. Take a break, stay down, and be quiet. I’m going to scout the area.”

“Sure. You do that.” She was exhausted as she just spread out on the ground, not caring how much dirt she sprawled over. She put her arm under her head. “I won’t move.”

Slade snorted. “Women.”

“Men.”

“Smartass.”

“Dumbass.”

“Doc, knock it off.”

“While you’re scouting, I don’t suppose you could find a local coffee shop and bring me back an iced mocha coffee, could you? Maybe a muffin? Or a donut?”

Teeth flashed at her when he suddenly grinned. “I’ll do my best.”

Trisha watched him leave. He stayed low. She studied the sky, deciding it would be really hot when the sun rose completely. She could just feel it. She sat up a few minutes later and carefully looked around, spotting ridges below. They were at a high point all right. She lay back down, hoping Justice North had sent out the National Guard to rescue them. She wanted a hot shower, clean clothes, and food. She yawned.

62

Slade

She hadn’t gotten enough sleep. She was a pro at taking cat naps. She’d done it since med school. Being an intern could be a sleepless existence. She had learned to sleep under extreme conditions. She just hoped that training helped her survive on so little sleep and the grueling pace they needed to keep to stay ahead of the men hunting them.

* * * * *

“Don’t make a fucking sound.” Something jabbed hard into Trisha’s stomach.

Her eyes flew open and she stared in fear at the hairy man wearing fatigues who stood over her. His shotgun shoved tighter against her waist, digging into her stomach, and his feet were planted wide apart above her. She stared right up between his spread legs and couldn’t miss the fact that he had a tear in the seam of his pants to reveal a section of red underwear.

“Where’s the animal man?”

Trisha met the man’s gaze as her heart began to pound from terror. He means Slade.

Obviously the men who’d tried to kill them were definitely anti-New Species. She breathed hard, terrified. He’d shoot her in the gut if he pulled the trigger and that would be a horrible death. If he fired, she hoped he hit major arteries to make her bleed out quickly. With the gun pressed into her skin at that angle, she figured the hole the weapon blast made would finish her off quickly.

“You deaf, bitch? Where is the animal-man?”

“He abandoned me,” she lied. “I slowed him down too much.”

The man leered at her breasts. “Stupid fucking animals. I would have at least fucked you first. Get up slow. You’re the doctor, right?”

She managed a nod despite her shock that he’d know anything about her. “I’m Dr.

Trisha Norbit.”

“You a vet or a real doctor?”

“I’m―”

“Doesn’t matter,” he cut her off. “Get your ass up. One of my boys is hurt and it’s your lucky day. Usually we kill traitors of our country but I need you. Guess it don’t matter what kind of doctor you are as long as you know how to set a bone and stitch up the skin.”

Traitor of their country? She gawked at him. The guy was obviously a fanatical freak.

Great. She sat up when he pulled the gun a few inches from her shirt and he took another step back. Trisha carefully rose to her feet and put her arms up.

“You got any weapons besides your tits?”

“My…” She stammered and glared at him. “No.”

63

Laurann Dohner

The man shifted the shotgun, kept it cradled inside the crook of his arm, but trained on her. “Lift your shirt slowly and show me you don’t got a gun hidden in your waistband.”

She did it, pulling her shirt up to her ribs and slowly turned until he could verify she wasn’t armed. She met his gaze when she’d done a full circle. It took a lot of control not to glance around to see if she could spot Slade but she didn’t dare. She prayed he’d see the man with the gun and not walk back to her.

“Let’s go. Bill? Tom? You still got my back?”

“Yes, sir,” a male called out from the left.

“Sure as shit, Sully.” The voice spoke from the right.

Trisha glanced around her but she didn’t see anyone but the man in front of her with the gun. He grinned, revealing yellowed, crooked teeth.

“Some of my boys are with me. We usually travel in packs of four. It will be the last thing animal-man ever does if he decides to save you. He won’t be back for you though unless he gets an itch in his dick.”

Trisha refrained from curling her lip in disgust. He was the lowest form of humanity, in her opinion. From the sound of his voice and the things he said, he honestly thought very little of Slade. He didn’t even know him and it had to be his prejudice against all New Species. He might be a moron but unfortunately he held a gun on her.

“Move it.”

A plan struck Trisha. She took a step and limped badly, dragging her foot a lot, and made a big production of wincing. The man with the gun uttered curse words that made her wince.

“You’re injured? Goddamn it!” He roared the words.

Trisha had to resist smiling at the idiot. He’d been worried she’d make a loud sound but he’d just shouted. Slade would have heard that for sure. Hell, anyone within a mile heard him, she guessed. She bit her lip hard and watched him as she paused limping.

“It happened when you guys caused the SUV to crash.”

He looked furious. “Tom? Get out here.”

Tom probably didn’t have to shave yet from the looks of his pink skin and he had the narrow body of a pre-teen. He stood nearly as short as Trisha’s height of five-foot-three. He gripped a handgun and a large knife had been strapped to his camouflage clothing, making him appear as if he were a twelve-year-old dressed up as an Army guy for Halloween. The faint lines displayed near his mouth were the only signs that gave away his true age, putting him in his mid-twenties.

“Yes, sir?” Tom’s voice came out unusually deep, probably something he did on purpose to sound more masculine. Green eyes fixed on Trisha, lowered to her breasts, and that’s where his attention stayed.

64

Slade

She wanted to cross her arms over them but was afraid to move for fear of being shot. The jerk leered at her. She glared at him but he didn’t seem to care since he probably didn’t notice her anger. He wasn’t looking at her face. That would mean he’d have to stop gawking at her breasts.

“How far is Pat from us?”

“A mile, sir.” Tom licked his lips and rubbed his free hand on the top of his thigh.

“That the animal lover, sir? Bet she did him.”

“Shut up,” the man in charge ordered. “Look at her. She’s pretty. She isn’t some ugly no-account who can’t find a real man like us. Get on the radio and tell him that we’re coming in slow with her because she’s limping.”

Tom finally dragged his attention from Trisha’s breasts to look at the older man.

“Sure thing, Sully.” Tom appeared anything but happy as he disappeared into thick brush.

“Let’s go.”

Trisha remembered their names. Sully. Tom. Bill. She could identify two of them so far if she lived long enough to reach the authorities. She really wanted them arrested.

She concentrated on that silent plan as she slowly limped along, purposely dragged her foot, and made a show of nonexistent pain. If she slowed them down it would give Slade more time to get away. He could look for help and send back the police to her.

They mostly traveled downhill. She stumbled a few times but Sully never lifted a finger to help her. He kept the gun trained on her, followed close behind, and didn’t say a word. Trisha guessed that if Slade didn’t get her help she probably wouldn’t be alive much longer than the time it took for her to patch up the injured man. They’d probably shoot her the way they had Bart when they no longer had a use for her.

They left the thick brush finally and she spotted a clearing with a tent set up and the fresh remains of a small fire. Trisha smelled food and her stomach rumbled. A coffeepot sat in the dead ashes of the crude fire pit they’d built with stones in a circle. Trisha paused, turned her head, and met Sully’s mud-brown eyes.

“He’s inside the tent so get your ass in there and help him. Pat, we’re here and the doctor is coming in. Don’t go blowing her brains out before she can tend you.”

Trisha limped toward the tent but nearly screamed in real pain when a fist grabbed her hair from behind and yanked her body back. She stumbled and collapsed to her knees, forcing Sully to release her. Tears blinded her for seconds as she grabbed the back of her head, guessing he’d torn out some of her hair. She looked at Sully in shock when she could see him past the tears.

He had his gun pointed at the tent. “Pat? Call out now.”

Trisha shifted her attention to the tent when no one answered. The tent door had been zipped closed. Sully inched forward and leaned down. He unzipped the tent flaps and jumped back, shotgun pointed inside as he eased back a little more.

“Pat? I want you to call out now.”

65

Laurann Dohner

Silence.

“Bill? Tom? Call out now,” Sully roared.

“Here, sir,” Tom yelled. He stepped out of the woods about twenty feet from where Trisha and Sully were.

Another man, in his forties, balding, with a pot belly, stepped out from the woods across the camp. Trisha guessed that had to be Bill. He nodded at Sully. The three men glared at the tent. Sully nodded to Tom and jerked his head at the tent, keeping his shotgun trained on the opening.

Tom moved forward, shoved his handgun into his shoulder holster, and unfastened the large hunting knife on his thigh. He gripped it firmly and crouched to the side of the tent. He reached out with his left hand and jerked up the zipper, opening the flap to peer inside.

“He’s gone.” Tom gasped.

“Didn’t you raise him on the radio?” Sully sounded pissed.

“No, sir. He didn’t answer. I thought maybe he was sleeping or taking a shit. He can still get around pretty good even with his arm all busted.”

Sully spun to point his gun at Trisha. “When did the animal abandon you?”

She swallowed. “He took off sometime during the night. I fell asleep with him there but when I woke right before the sun rose he’d abandoned me.”

“He’s far from here.” Bill had a deep voice with an accent that hinted at him being Texan or maybe Southern. It was hard to nail down. “As soon as he stopped carrying her he would have taken off like the wind. They can move, Sully. He’s probably put ten miles on us by now. Another team will get him for sure though.”

“Son of a bitch.” Sully lowered the gun he held. “Let’s spread out and find Pat.

Think he’s delirious? He had a fever this morning.”

Bill nodded. “Could be. I told you one of us should stay with him. We’ve been gone since dawn and he could have made some time. One of us will have to stay here with the woman and she can work on him when we find him.”

“We should have carried him out,” Tom muttered. “I told you he could die. What if he gets himself killed out there?”

“I ain’t going to blow that fifty-thousand-dollar reward because Pat is a fool who couldn’t watch where he was going.” Sully’s tone came out harsh.

Bill nodded as he stared at Trisha were she remained sitting on ground. “I’ll stay with the woman while you two split up and search for Pat. I’d guess he would go downhill since it’s easier to travel that way. Maybe he panicked and is hunting for another team, thinking someone will pack him out or maybe he thought he could head to the highway to flag down a motorist.”

“Fuck!” Sully yelled. “Why don’t we just forget him, kill the bitch, and go track our animal? I want that fifty-thousand-dollar reward for one of those animal bastards.”

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Trisha kept quiet but reeled from shock. Someone paid a fifty-thousand-dollar bounty on Slade? Who would do that? Why? She swallowed. She hoped they would forget she existed. She hated Sully for wanting to just kill her outright.

“You forget,” Bill sighed, “Pat is Thomas’ son. If we don’t go find that asshole, he’ll never give us any reward money for one of those bastards. We need to keep the woman alive until she can patch him up. We have to find that asshole and catch the animal. The animal has been using the ravines and he’ll keep to pattern. We’ll catch up to him along the ridges. Look how much time we’ve gained on him.”

“But he had the bitch slowing him.” Sully ground his teeth together and uttered a curse. “Okay. Let’s do this. Bill and I will split up. You head toward the highway in case Pat headed there. I’ll head after the animal to see if I can catch him. Hopefully he’ll stay low and I can gain on him using high ground. Tom can stay here with the bitch.”

Bill shook his head. “Look at the jerk. He can’t keep from staring at her tits.”

Trisha turned her head toward Tom. He stood there holding his knife, gawking at her breasts again. He grinned.

“I’ll be happy to stay with her.”

“See?” Bill cursed. “We want her alive, dumbass. I’ll stay with the woman while you two split up to search. Tom, head for the highway.”

“Fine,” Sully agreed, shooting a glare at Tom. “You better find his ass though. I’ll hit the ridge to the west to catch the animal faster.”

“But I want to stay with her.” Tom wasn’t happy and it sounded in his high-pitched protest.

Sully pumped the shotgun. “That wasn’t you refusing to take an order, was it? I fucking hate whiners. Your daddy isn’t the moneyman on this deal and nobody gives a rat’s ass if you get shot.”

Fear settled on Tom’s baby-face features. He shook his head vigorously. “I’ll head out now.”

Trisha watched Sully and Tom pack light supplies and then both men took off in different directions. That left Bill to guard her. Trisha studied the man who stared at her. He sighed loudly.

“Hungry? Thirsty?”

“Please,” Trisha urged softly.

Bill stormed to the tent and quickly returned. He carried a soda and a plastic zip-lock baggy containing some kind of sandwich. Bill stopped a few feet from her.

“Catch.”

She held out her hands. He tossed her the soda carefully. Trisha caught it and set it on the ground next to her knees. She held up her hands again and he threw the sandwich. She gave him a grateful look.

“Thank you so much.”

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“Shut up,” he ordered. “I hate it when I get to know things I have to kill later on.

Just eat and be quiet.”

Trisha hated peanut butter sandwiches but she didn’t complain as she chewed. She was starving and was too hungry to care what she ate. She popped the top of the soda and took long sips. She tried not to scarf her food.

She knew Bill had taken a seat on the ground about ten feet from her and silently watched her every move. She finished her sandwich and tried to save some of her soda.

She didn’t want to drink it all in case Bill wasn’t generous later.

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Chapter Seven

“Damn it,” Slade growled softly, watching the males from beneath some brush where he hid. His sense of hearing came in handy as he listened to them make their plans. They had Trisha. Rage gripped him and he fought back the urge to leap into the camp to kill them all.

They weren’t the same men who’d run them off the road. That meant more humans had joined in the search for him and the doc. It worried him not knowing their numbers. The camp setup alarmed him as well. They’d made a base of it in a short time, it meant they were organized, and the danger increased exponentially.

“Calm,” he ordered his mind aloud in a soft whisper.

They outnumbered him, had more weapons than he had, and the gun he had acquired wouldn’t be of much use if one of the humans used Trisha as a hostage to make him throw down his weapon and it would work. No way would he allow them to shoot her without trying to prevent it. Even if it meant tossing away his weapon and walking right up to them.

He couldn’t reach her in time to assure he took out all the threats. Her safety was paramount to him. He’d have to use his skills and kill them one by one. Attacking the camp with all of them around her would be a last resort. He’d die to try to save her regardless of the bad odds in his favor if they decided to kill her. It would be suicide for them both. A last resort.

He listened as the men planned to go find their missing injured human and track him. A plan began to form. The man with lustful eyes would die first if the other males left him alone with his woman. Slade knew the man would try to touch the doc. It wouldn’t happen. Not as long as he drew breath.

They wouldn’t find the human they sought. A smirk twisted his lips when they decided the man couldn’t be trusted not to molest Trisha. That showed they had some intelligence. When two men left the camp he lifted up, ready to attack, but then paused, watching the scene below.

The male guarding Trisha gave her food and a drink. He didn’t appear threatening.

They needed her alive, her skills as a doctor believed to be needed, and she might be safer there than at his side while he took out the threats.

Indecision tore at him. He sniffed the air but didn’t scent any foreign humans in the area. It didn’t mean they weren’t near though and could show up soon. The wind played hell on his nose with the dust.

His gaze locked on Trisha. She calmly ate and drank. The guy guarding her wasn’t threatening or staring at her body in a way that indicated lustful intentions. He seemed 69

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smart enough to know that hurting her when they needed her doctoring skills would be detrimental. The asshole who’d pulled her hair would pay dearly for hurting her. He wanted to kill him first for that offense. The sooner, the better.

For now she seemed safe and if other humans returned to that camp, the male guarding her knew her value. It would be a while before they realized they didn’t need her doctoring skills. He couldn’t hide her somewhere, leave her to track the males who’d become a threat to her, and not worry that she’d be discovered again. He glared at the male watching the doc.

The guy seemed bored but he didn’t appear eager to move either. Slade slid back in the dirt, carefully kept low as he started to follow the older male who’d dared pull the doc’s hair, and his blood boiled with rage. The male would pay for causing her pain.

Pay dearly.

* * * * *

The silence became awful. The breeze blew and trees whispered in the wind. Trisha heard birds in the distance. She sat under the hot sun wishing for shade. She also needed to use the bathroom. When her bladder was ready to burst she turned her head and looked at Bill.

“I have to use the restroom, please.”

He blinked. “Fine. You’re too pale to be in that sun anyway. It’s too easy to get dehydrated if your skin burns bad. I was thinking of moving you.”

“I can get up then?”

He nodded. “See the tree by the tent? Go behind it. I’ll break your legs if you try to run away from me. It isn’t an idle threat. You don’t need them to patch up Pat. You go behind the tree, do your biz, and you can be on this side of the tree under it in the shade. Is that clear enough?”

“Crystal clear. Thank you.” Trisha pushed to her feet. Her body had become numb in places that painfully awoke as she remembered to limp toward the tree. She had to duck under one of the lower branches and there wasn’t much privacy but she didn’t have a choice. She unfastened her pants, bent, and quickly did her business before straightening. She walked back around the tree. Bill stood in her path.

She hadn’t heard him moving toward her. She looked up at him. Bill was a beefy man who stood at about five-foot-nine. He had harsh lines on his face from too many years in the sun and his skin was a weathered, soft brown. He frowned.

“I’m tired. I didn’t get much sleep last night so this is what we’re going to do. Back up to that tree. I want your back to it.”

Trisha stared at him with fear. What is he going to do? She had a sinking feeling that it would be really bad.

“I’m going to tie you to the tree so I can rest. That’s all. I’ll sleep a few feet from you to be able to hear every sound you make. You just ate, used the bathroom, and had 70

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something to drink. You will be in the shade and it isn’t cold. You’ll be fine. Now back up before I make you.”

It wasn’t as though she had a choice. Bill was a much bigger man. He looked to be the sort of jerk no one wanted to end up facing off against in a bar fight. He wasn’t overly tall but he had that mean look to him that implied he’d cut someone’s throat in a heartbeat. She nodded and slowly backed up against the tree to stare at him with fear.

“Reach up and grip the branches, arms out wide.”

“Can’t I sit down?”

“I said,” he ordered softly, “reach up and grip the branches. I wasn’t asking. I was telling and I won’t repeat myself again. You can either do what I say or I can change your way of thinking. It would be a painful lesson. Do you understand me?”

She lifted her arms to grip the branches just above her head. She saw the man reach into his back pocket and pull out a bandana he probably used to wipe sweat off him. He stepped very close to her. He used the bandana to tie her wrist, securing it to the branch.

He stank and needed deodorant. She smelled booze on top of it, mixed with the disgusting stench of chewing tobacco too. She held her breath as much as she could while he wrapped something made from a rough cloth on her other wrist. He yanked it tight. He moved back finally and the horrible smell withdrew.

Bill stared at her, nodded, and then turned his back to walk into the tent. Trisha looked up at her restrained arms. He had two mismatching bandanas securing her wrists to the thin branches. She pulled on them but they only moved slightly, proving there was no way she could pull free. She softly cursed and tugged at the bandanas, trying to see if he’d left her enough wiggle room to slide her hand out. He’d tied them too tight.

Bill exited the tent carrying a sleeping bag and pillow with him. He darted a glance at her before throwing the bedding down about four feet from where Trisha stood.

She’d thought he was at least decent since he’d offered her a drink and food but that was before he’d tied her, scarecrow-like, to a tree. After a while her legs were going to grow really tired.

He stretched out on his back on top of the sleeping bag, facing her, and settled his gun across his chest. She spotted a hunting knife peeking out from a boot as he crossed his legs. He shoved the pillow behind his head and closed his eyes.

Trisha shifted. Her legs ached and her arms felt as though they were going to fall off. She lifted on tiptoe to level her arms with her shoulders. It sent some blood back into her upper limbs but then her toes would hurt until she’d have to ease back down onto her feet. She rolled her head every once in a while. She tried to sleep but every time she drifted off her legs would start to collapse, causing pain to shoot up her arms from her weight pulling against them. Time crawled by.

Something made a slight noise from the woods. Bill jerked awake instantly, rolled onto his stomach, and leveled his gun in the direction the sound had originated from.

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Shocked, Trisha stared at him. A bird flew from a tree in that direction. The man on his stomach sighed and rolled back over and glared at her.

“I’m a light sleeper. Quit sighing. I’m getting sick of it.” He closed his eyes again and rested the gun back across his chest.

He can’t really be sleeping. Trisha stared at his chest, watched it rise and fall slowly.

The sound the bird had made had been so slight she’d barely heard it but the man at her feet jerked as though something had charged at him. He’d even pointed his weapon toward the right direction. If he faked sleeping then he knew about any sound she made. Her glimmering hope of escape dwindled. She would have been better off if they’d left Tom with her. A man gawking at her breasts seemed an improvement over having been tied so uncomfortably to a tree.

* * * * *

Pain jerked her awake and she groaned. Her body sagged, all her weight on her wrists, and it hurt. Trisha fought tears. She put all her weight onto her feet and rose to her toes. It eased all tension from her wrists and the blood flowed back into her arms while she studied the sky. She’d been tied to the tree most of the day. The sun had lowered in the sky. She looked at the man on the ground to find him staring back at her.

She couldn’t tell for sure but she thought his attention fixed on her stomach.

“You’re awake,” she noted softly. “Can I sit down now? Please?”

He sat up and watched her face, frowning until he lowered the gun to the ground next to the sleeping bag and rose to his feet. He walked away from her to the tent.

Trisha lifted her chin up to stare at the sky. Bastard. He had to know she was hurting and uncomfortable. She needed to use the bathroom again too. She heard him coming back and darted a glance at the walkie-talkie gripped in one hand.

“Bill here,” he spoke. “Base?”

“Hey, Bill,” a male answered through the small speaker. “Report.”

“We haven’t found them yet.” Bill watched Trisha and he put his finger to his mouth motioning her to be quiet. “We’re in section twenty-two. Anyone else have any luck?”

“Not so far,” the voice was static-ridden. “You are way out there.”

“Aren’t there other guys this way?”

“Nope. You’re it. How come Tom isn’t calling in?”

“He’s taking a crap. The kid is green. We’ll call back and report in the morning.

Over and out.” He turned the walkie-talkie off.

“They haven’t found your animal friend yet.” He dropped the walkie-talkie onto the pillow. “I’m rested now and ready for action. I wanted to make sure no one else was in the area and now I’m sure it’s just us.”

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Trisha’s stomach churned as she swallowed. She didn’t feel at ease with the way he’d said that or the way his gaze roamed her body. His lecherous look slowly rose until he met her fearful expression.

“You’re a good-looking woman. You’re one of those bleeding-heart, animal-rights bitches, aren’t you? You love animals, little girl?” He reached down and unfastened his belt, his gaze locked with hers. “I didn’t want Tom staying with you because the kid doesn’t know what to do with a woman.”

“Oh God,” Trisha moaned, watching him pull his belt free of his pants loops as he fisted the buckle in his hand. Her gaze flew to his. “Whatever you are thinking about, please don’t do it.”

“Shut up or I’ll take this belt to you. I hate screaming. Do you understand me? You don’t need a tongue to fix Pat when Tom drags his stupid ass back here. He’s an idiot and I’m sure we’ve got a few hours before they return. He couldn’t find his own ass without someone directing him to it. I’ll cut out your tongue if you scream.”

Bill dropped the belt onto the sleeping bag and reached down. He pulled a long, sharp hunting knife from his right boot. He glanced at it and let his finger trace over one side of the two-sided blade. The back side had a serrated edge. The blade had to be ten inches long. Trisha stared at it in horror. He lifted his head to give her a cold smile.

“Say you’re a bitch who is a bleeding-heart, animal-rights moron. Just that way.”

She shook with terror. She opened her mouth but nothing came out. She yanked hard on her wrists, frantic, but the bandanas held. She tried to back up but the tree had no give in it.

“Say ‘I’m an animal-loving, bleeding-heart bitch who is a moron’,” he demanded softly. “Right now.”

“I’m an animal-loving, bleeding-heart bitch who is a moron,” Trisha whispered.

A smile cracked his lips. “That’s a good girl.” He took a step closer as he gripped the hunting knife with his fist. He reached and grabbed the waist of her slacks and his head lifted.

“Kick off your shoes.”

“I have to use my hands to get them off,” she lied. Her voice shook.

“Kick them off now or…” He brought the blade closer until the tip of the knife touched her breast and pushed the knife until it indented the area just under her nipple.

“I figure I could slide this in at least three inches before I hit bone.”

“Oh my God,” Trisha gasped, total panic gripping her. “All right.” She used one foot to grip the back of the other shoe and pushed down. Her shoe came off. She switched, using her toes, and got the second shoe off.

“God isn’t here, little girl.”

Bill suddenly moved, pulling his knife back from her breast and thrust it at Trisha’s face. She saw the blade coming at her and a scream tore from her throat. She threw her head to the side. She expected the blade to stab her in the face but it didn’t. The 73

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expected pain never came. She heard him laugh. She turned her head to see that knife embedded in the tree trunk next to her face. Her ear brushed cold metal.

His hands were brutal as he dug them into the waistband of her slacks. He unfastened them and shoved them down her body. He hooked his thumbs in her panties and pulled them all the way down her legs. When he reached her ankles he just jerked hard to remove them. Trisha’s legs were yanked out from under her when he did it and she screamed again. Pain tore through both of her shoulders and wrists as her full weight sagged on them.

He rose and stared down at Trisha as she struggled to stand again to take some of the pain from her arms. She was naked from the waist down and knew he planned to rape her. She turned her head and prayed as a hand fisted in her hair.

“Look at me, animal-loving bitch,” he ground out.

Trisha whimpered from the pain he inflicted on her. He turned her head by jerking on her hair until she had no choice but to look at him. He smiled, giving her the coldest one she’d ever seen.

“When the boys come back, this never happened. I will kill you myself if you tell them and it won’t be painless. Do you understand me? I’m not going to risk one of those loud-mouth asses getting drunk and popping off so my wife finds out. I’ll just tell them you tried to run if you don’t do what I say, how I say it. I’ll cut you up while you’re still breathing. Do you hear me, little girl? You do what I say or you don’t live ’til morning. You tell any of the boys what you and I are about to do and you’ll be begging me to die by the time I get done with you.” He winked at her. “Hell, if you do tell, the boys might want to do it to you too.” His hand released her hair as he laughed. “On second thought, the boys can’t tell if they do it too. We could have our own little animal-loving-bitch party.”

“Please don’t. I have money. I could pay you anything you want. Just please―”

He slapped her hard. Pain slammed through Trisha as it exploded from her cheek to her jaw. She groaned. Agony tore through her shoulders as her knees collapsed under her. She fought blackness and won. The world spun though and the metallic taste of blood filled her mouth. She settled her weight back onto her feet.

Hands were on her chest. The asshole yanked her shirt up and over her head. He snagged it on the back of her neck where it would stay hooked away from her chest. He couldn’t remove it without untying her or cutting it all the way off her body. Her hands were bound too tightly to break free when she frantically tried to do just that. The shirt did move as she fought and some of the material slid forward, along the back of her head when she lowered it to her chin. Bill cursed and gripped her shirt again to bunch it behind her neck to keep it up. Hands gripped the front of her bra and he yanked hard, causing material to tear. He shoved the cups aside.

“You look better than my wife ever did before the bitch had six kids.” He gripped her waist painfully. “I bet you’re fucking tight too. You don’t have any stretch marks.

You haven’t had any kids. I can tell by your tits.”

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The dizziness receded. Trisha slowly recovered from the blow. She spit blood at him. He would rape her anyway. “Fuck you, asshole.”

He grabbed her throat. Trisha could only stare at him in horror as his hand squeezed her neck painfully. He looked absolutely livid as he moved closer until they were almost nose to nose.

“You think you’re too good for me, little girl? You think you can call me names? I bet you’re wishing you had held your tongue about now.” He took deep breaths. “Want air? It’s good. You’re turning blue, bitch.” His hand released her.

Trisha gasped in air and choked. She stared at him as he reached down and slowly unbuttoned his pants. He nodded at her and then dropped them to his ankles to reveal he wore tighty-whities. He gripped them and shoved them down to his ankles. He grabbed his protruding dick with his fist and slowly jerked on it. Disgust welled up in Trisha.

“See what you’re going to get, little girl? I’m going to know every hole in you.

Every one. You think you can call me names with that mouth? Try to call me names when I’m shoved down your fucking throat, bitch.”

“I’d rather die. Just kill me!” she screamed at him. “You’re a fucking loser. You’re nothing but a fucking asshole rapist.” She hoped he’d snap and kill her. She’d rather die than live through him touching her. “And that’s fucking pathetic by the way. I’m a doctor and I’ve seen a lot of them,” she taunted him. “Pathetic!” she screamed.