background. I’d watch that.”
He spun away and strode out into the main area of the bar. She hugged her waist and leaned against the wall, taking a few deep breaths. It was a warning, plain and simple. He suspected she wasn’t who she claimed. He had a point though. She was trained in ways a crime lab technician wouldn’t be. They were skilled at determining data at a scene, not delving into behavioral or verbal observation and clues.
“Well hell,” she muttered.
She pushed away from the wall and dropped her arms to her sides. She stepped out from behind the stage, forced a smile and glanced around the room. Darkness was nowhere to be found but plenty of New Species seemed to want her attention as they indicated they’d like to speak. It was time to be sociable.
“Hi.” She kept her voice cheerful.
“I have a question.”
“Ask away.”
* * * * *
Darkness plowed his fist into the punching bag without restraint. The chain that held it suspended groaned. The bag swung out and came back. He threw his left fist into it. The top of the bag ripped at the hook and the weighted container slammed to the floor four feet away.
“That was impressive but you aren’t supposed to break our equipment.”
He clenched his jaw and slowly turned to stare at Bluebird. She was the last person he wanted to talk to, besides Kat. “Hello.”
She glanced at the bag then up at him. “That’s a whole lot of frustration. Is there anything I can do to help?”
“I’m fine.”
“I was at the class earlier. I saw you take our teacher behind the stage. I was curious so I crept forward enough to see what happened. You want her.”
He didn’t enjoy being spied on. “How did you come to that conclusion? She needed to be instructed on what to teach Species and was irritated that I intervened during the class.”
“You’ve never pinned me to a wall when we talk.”
“You’re smart enough not to insult me.”
“So that’s what it takes to get your hands on me?” She arched her eyebrows.
“I don’t want to share sex. I told you not to take it personally.”
“I’m a caregiver. It’s my nature, it seems. I’m drawn to damaged males with anger issues.”
“It’s not an issue.”
She glanced at the downed bag again and smiled. “The equipment would say otherwise if it could speak. I imagine it would be crying right now or at least muttering ouch .”
Her sense of wit amused him. He smiled back, relaxing a bit. “I suppose it would.”
“I’m attracted to you. Call it a flaw of my nature but any time I see a very aggressive male it turns me on.”
“All of us are aggressive.”
“True, but you more so than others. Perhaps I miss the sense of danger when undressing for a male who doesn’t have his emotions under control.”
“I’m in control.”
“For now.” Her smile faded. “You are on the edge. I watch you closer than any other male because I want you. It’s only a matter of time before you break.”
“I’d never allow it to happen.”
“I just insulted you but you don’t have me pinned against a wall.”
“You’re testing me?”
“I’m just proving what I said. You feel something for the teacher.”
Bluebird irritated him. “Fine. I am attracted to her but I’d never act on it.”
“Why not? I didn’t see her struggling or yelling for help when she could have. That implies she didn’t mind your hands on her.”
“Mind your own business.”
“Fine.” She took a step back. “You know you don’t have to talk to her during shared sex. She’ll only be here for a short time unless you were to ask her to stay. I don’t see that happening since I was working the day she arrived. We both know she’s not who she pretends to be. You’ve never shown interest in a female before. You should take advantage of it.”
“Use her?” He didn’t like the concept.
Bluebird shrugged. “Humans used us. You’re walking a fine line, Darkness. I don’t care how tough you are.
He spun away and strode out into the main area of the bar. She hugged her waist and leaned against the wall, taking a few deep breaths. It was a warning, plain and simple. He suspected she wasn’t who she claimed. He had a point though. She was trained in ways a crime lab technician wouldn’t be. They were skilled at determining data at a scene, not delving into behavioral or verbal observation and clues.
“Well hell,” she muttered.
She pushed away from the wall and dropped her arms to her sides. She stepped out from behind the stage, forced a smile and glanced around the room. Darkness was nowhere to be found but plenty of New Species seemed to want her attention as they indicated they’d like to speak. It was time to be sociable.
“Hi.” She kept her voice cheerful.
“I have a question.”
“Ask away.”
* * * * *
Darkness plowed his fist into the punching bag without restraint. The chain that held it suspended groaned. The bag swung out and came back. He threw his left fist into it. The top of the bag ripped at the hook and the weighted container slammed to the floor four feet away.
“That was impressive but you aren’t supposed to break our equipment.”
He clenched his jaw and slowly turned to stare at Bluebird. She was the last person he wanted to talk to, besides Kat. “Hello.”
She glanced at the bag then up at him. “That’s a whole lot of frustration. Is there anything I can do to help?”
“I’m fine.”
“I was at the class earlier. I saw you take our teacher behind the stage. I was curious so I crept forward enough to see what happened. You want her.”
He didn’t enjoy being spied on. “How did you come to that conclusion? She needed to be instructed on what to teach Species and was irritated that I intervened during the class.”
“You’ve never pinned me to a wall when we talk.”
“You’re smart enough not to insult me.”
“So that’s what it takes to get your hands on me?” She arched her eyebrows.
“I don’t want to share sex. I told you not to take it personally.”
“I’m a caregiver. It’s my nature, it seems. I’m drawn to damaged males with anger issues.”
“It’s not an issue.”
She glanced at the downed bag again and smiled. “The equipment would say otherwise if it could speak. I imagine it would be crying right now or at least muttering ouch .”
Her sense of wit amused him. He smiled back, relaxing a bit. “I suppose it would.”
“I’m attracted to you. Call it a flaw of my nature but any time I see a very aggressive male it turns me on.”
“All of us are aggressive.”
“True, but you more so than others. Perhaps I miss the sense of danger when undressing for a male who doesn’t have his emotions under control.”
“I’m in control.”
“For now.” Her smile faded. “You are on the edge. I watch you closer than any other male because I want you. It’s only a matter of time before you break.”
“I’d never allow it to happen.”
“I just insulted you but you don’t have me pinned against a wall.”
“You’re testing me?”
“I’m just proving what I said. You feel something for the teacher.”
Bluebird irritated him. “Fine. I am attracted to her but I’d never act on it.”
“Why not? I didn’t see her struggling or yelling for help when she could have. That implies she didn’t mind your hands on her.”
“Mind your own business.”
“Fine.” She took a step back. “You know you don’t have to talk to her during shared sex. She’ll only be here for a short time unless you were to ask her to stay. I don’t see that happening since I was working the day she arrived. We both know she’s not who she pretends to be. You’ve never shown interest in a female before. You should take advantage of it.”
“Use her?” He didn’t like the concept.
Bluebird shrugged. “Humans used us. You’re walking a fine line, Darkness. I don’t care how tough you are.
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