His gaze lowered down her body. "Go shower now. My nose is still messed up from the smoke and gasoline I inhaled. I don't want to scent something on you when it recovers that might bring out my savage instincts. I'm barely holding on to my control. I know I'm being an asshole but do it."

She tried to close the door but he snarled. She paused. He didn't say anything but she got the message loud and clear. Her fingers released the doorknob and she left it open. The shower was a large one that could accommodate a wheelchair if need be. Soap and hair products were inside on a shelf when she turned on the water.

Tiger had to fight the urge to throw away the ice packs on his leg and go to Zandy. He'd crawl if he had to. He took deep breaths, battled his instincts, and ordered his mind to rule his body. He'd nearly lost Zandy and he wasn't over it by a long shot.

The memory of the fire and seeing her suspended by ropes on a wooden cross constructed by those crazy humans would be the source of many nightmares in his future. He'd reached her in time but he could have failed. She could have died and him with her. No way would he have stopped trying to reach her even if he'd known with certainty he had no chance.

She was his mate. His eyes closed as his heart hammered and his fingers curled into fists. He might not have meant to ever take one but he had her. Zandy Gordon had unexpectedly come into his life and blindsided him. He missed her scent. He was hopelessly addicted to it and couldn't wait for his senses to recover just to breathe her in. His lips still tingled from their kiss and he wished he could taste her. A frustrated growl rumbled from him. Dr. Harris had said to give it an hour before the effects of the burning motor home left his system.

The drug he'd been injected with didn't help. His skin felt hot and tight all over his body, his heart rate wouldn't slow to normal and it brought his emotions closer to the surface with the adrenaline pumping through his body. His eyes opened and he glared at his leg. It was stopping him from being with Zandy at that moment. He'd like nothing better than to shower with her and hold her in his arms.

The water in the other room turned off and he watched as she dried her body. The bruises on her waist, legs, and across her rib cage drove him into a frenzy to track down the rest of the humans who'd harmed her. Two were dead but there were more of them. The team that had gone to Zandy's house had scented at least four males. A silent promise was made to himself to track the remaining two humans down and kill them as soon as he was back on his feet.

She stepped back into the room wearing a towel wrapped around her body and she paused there. "I don't have any clean clothes."

"You don't need them. Come here."

He just wanted her at his side, in his arms. He refused to let her out of his sight now that he had her back. Go slow, he reminded himself. Don't frighten her away. His fingers uncurled and he patted the bed next to him.

"I'll get you wet."

"Come here." He inwardly winced at his rough tone. "Please," he added.

She slowly crept closer, an unsure look on her face.

"I won't hurt you, Zandy. Never."

"I know that. You're just acting really different."

"I'm aware of the drugs in my system and I'm stressed. It's a bad combination but you are safe."

She crawled on the bed and settled down next to him. He reached out and pulled her closer, her wet hair causing water drips to slide down his chest. He didn't care as he hugged her to his side and rested his chin on the top of her head.

"Tiger?"

"Yes?"

She lifted her chin to stare up at him. "I'm okay. Honestly. I'm more worried about you. Are you in pain? Should I get the doctor?"

"I just need to hold you."

"Okay." Her hand flattened on his chest and stroked him gently. "How is your head feeling? They said you had a head injury at the hospital."

"I'm healing fast. I'll be on my feet in two days. We'll stay here until then. They have to keep an eye on me."

"To make sure you're healing okay?"

"To make sure I don't go insane on the drugs and try to harm someone." He forced a smile to assure her when fear dilated her pupils. "You are safe but don't be surprised if I snarl at the doctors. They annoy me."

"That's good to know. About me being safe, that is. I'm glad I don't work here."

He wasn't sure how to respond. The feel of her hand rubbing his chest between his nipples made his dick hard. The purr started in his chest and rose to his throat. Zandy smiled.

"You only make that sound when you're turned-on." Her hand paused before her fingertips traced lower to his belly and her gaze lowered. "And I see that you are."

They'd removed his pants when he'd reached Medical and offered him loose cotton shorts to wear to get access to his leg. The front of them tented from his stiff shaft trapped inside them.

"Ignore it. I am trying to. You've been through a trauma and I'm severely stressed from nearly losing you."

Green eyes lifted to gaze into his and her smile widened. "We're both okay and I know a great way to make you relax."

His eyebrows arched.

Zandy wiggled out of his hold. She sat back on her heels and he couldn't stop from growling when her hand rubbed his cock through the very thin material. Desire shot through him so strongly he snarled at her.

Her fingers curled around his shaft and gave him a gentle squeeze. Fear didn't show on her face as she watched him but her smile did fade. He realized his mouth was parted enough to flash his fangs at her. He closed his mouth.

"Easy, baby," she crooned. "And don't move." She glanced at his injured leg. "I missed you." Their gazes met. "Tell me no and I'll stop. Otherwise, just enjoy. I know you're on edge and the drugs are making you prone to violence. You said you wouldn't hurt me and I believe that. I'll ignore the scary sounds."

Her other hand slid into the waist of his shorts and tugged as she bent forward. The feel of her freeing his dick from the cotton nearly made him lunge at her. He wanted to knock her flat, tear off her towel and fuck her. He sniffed to test if she was aroused enough to take him but the stench of burning wood and gasoline still choked his sense of smell.

Hot breath fanned his cock as she bent over him, her wet hair falling as her head turned until he couldn't see her eyes. The feel of her hot little tongue licking at the crown of his dick made him throw back his head and he clawed at the bedding instead of her. Another snarl tore from him, despite trying to hold it back.

She didn't stop at the sound but instead her lips surrounded the tip of his cock and she took inches of it inside her wet mouth. He nearly came when she moved slowly on him, sucking, forcing pure pleasure to take hold of him.

"Zandy," he snarled.

She eased up until her lips nearly left him but she didn't stop. Her fingers gripped the base of his cock and stroked him as she worked it closer to the back of her throat. Every stroke of her mouth drove him insane with ecstasy. Her hand gripping the shorts tugged and he managed to lift his ass off the bed to help her when she pulled the shorts down until they were tangled on his upper thighs and freed his cock completely.

The moans she made sent vibrations right to his balls. He bit his lip hard to hold back the sounds he wanted to make but it made breathing difficult as he panted through his nose. She had barely begun and he was already ready to blow.

"Fuck," he snarled. "I'm coming."

Her mouth eased off him and both hands gripped his cock as she jacked him off, remembering the warning about how strong his semen released from his body. She did something then that really sent him over the edge. Her towel had loosened and she leaned over him more until the crown of his cock rubbed between her breasts, nestled between the soft mounds.

He roared as his body seized, marking her with his semen, making her breasts slick as she rubbed against him to blow what was left of his mind. He shook from how hard he came.

She stopped stroking him and he gasped for breath. His eyes were closed, his head tilted back and the bed moved. The feel of a damp cotton towel made him shiver as Zandy gently cleaned his cock. It wasn't until she curled up against him again and a blanket was pulled up over his lap that he forced his chin to lower. Their gazes met.

Her lips beckoned to him and he reached for her, cupping her cheek. "I'm going to fuck you."

"Your leg-"

"I don't care."

"You just got off."

"I still want you. I always do."

She flattened her hand on his chest and pushed him back a little. "Tiger, honey, I would be lying if I said I didn't want you pretty badly but let's let your leg heal first, okay?"

Someone tried to open the door but the lock prevented them from entering. A fist hammered at it. "Is everything okay in there? Tiger?"

"Go away," he yelled.

"Let me in. I told you not to get out of that bed." The man on the other side of the door paused. "Get me the damn key. He locked the door!"

"Stay out, Harris," Tiger snarled. "Zandy is naked."

Silence. "Oh. I thought you were hurt. Never mind. Is everything okay in there? I heard you and thought you needed help. Is she okay?"

"I'm fine," Zandy called out. She did the last thing Tiger expected. She laughed and lowered her voice. "Maybe next time you should use a pillow and muffle your sounds."

Tiger loved her. The tight feeling in his chest and the way he wanted to pull her onto his lap to hold her assured him of that.

"You shouldn't be engaging in sex. I'm assuming that's what you're doing in there since I heard you and she's in there naked with the door locked. Damn it, Tiger. Didn't you hear me when I said you need to keep that leg still until the bone knits? Miss Gordon? He isn't supposed to be doing that. He needs to lie still."

He wanted to beat on Dr. Harris. Badly. A snarl tore from his mouth and he tried to get up. He'd make sure the doctor left them alone but Zandy pushed on his chest in an attempt to keep him still. He froze. She couldn't stop him if he really wanted up, he was stronger, but his mate stared at him with a pleading look.

"You heard him," she stated softly. "Please do what the doctor said."

He relaxed. "Okay."

A grin softened her features. "I knew a blowjob would mellow you out." She winked. "Now why don't you lie back and we'll take a nap? I'm tired and I bet you probably didn't sleep well last night."

"I'll do what you say on a few conditions." He would use anything he could to get her to agree to his demands.

"What are they?"

"I want you to stay with me. Swear you won't leave Reservation. It's too dangerous. I won't allow you to be put in danger again."

"Okay."

"You're not returning to the apartment. I'm taking you home with me when I'm released from here." He held his breath, afraid she'd refuse.

"I'd love to see your house."

"You'll live with me." He saw surprise on her features and she swallowed.

"Okay but you have to follow the doctor's orders so you get all better."

"I'll do that if you're with me."

She nodded.

He shoved the pillows out from behind him and eased onto his back. His arms opened and Zandy instantly curled against his side, pillowing her head on him. It felt right having her there. The teasing scent of her arousal softly filtered through his nose. It made his dick harden again as his senses returned.

"May I ask you something, Tiger?"

"What do you want to know?"

She hesitated.

"Ask me."

"Why do you want me to live with you?"

You're my mate. He didn't say that aloud. She would be resistant to take one after two human males had failed to keep her happy. She'd chosen poorly in the past and he didn't want to spook her. She'd need more time.

"I nearly lost you. I just want you with me." He figured that was safe to say without her wanting to back away from him. "We enjoy sleeping together and you aren't leaving Reservation. We'll be more comfortable at my house."

He heard a catch in her breath. "Okay."

She didn't say anything else and he relaxed again, grateful she wasn't arguing. He'd get her addicted to him. She didn't have a sense of smell to depend on but he wasn't above using sex. A grin curved his lips. It would be a pleasure for both of them when he showed her just how happy he could make her if she agreed to be his mate.

Zandy had a hundred unanswered questions. Tiger was on drugs though and pestering him with them didn't seem like a good idea when he wasn't in his right mind. She'd wait until they left the Medical Center and the drugs cleared his system. Then they'd have a talk. She really wanted to know why he'd had unprotected sex with her, knowing there was a chance of getting her pregnant.

Was he one of those guys who didn't care about consequences as long as he didn't have to use a condom or was there a deeper meaning? She wouldn't ever peg Tiger as being the irresponsible type. She was also afraid if she got too serious that he'd want to cut ties with her. He'd been really clear that he didn't want a lasting relationship. She hoped that if they lived together he might fall for her as hard as she'd fallen for him.

Exhaustion hit her as she lay curled to Tiger's side. They were both safe at Reservation and they were together. She'd take it one day at a time.

Chapter Twenty-One.

Richard grinned at her. "Being with Tiger agrees with you. Hot sex?"

Zandy stared at him. "Is that the best you can do? I expected you to tease me more."

"Well, I could ask if their dicks are bigger. Creek keeps assuring me that we're smaller. I still refuse to drop my pants for her when she dares me to. So, is it rumor or fact?"

She wiggled her eyebrows at him. "Fact."

"Damn. I'll make sure I never share a urinal area with one of them." He laughed at his own joke. "Are you two going to do the whole mating thing?"

Longing hit her hard. "I don't know. We haven't discussed it."

He frowned. "You've been living at his house for the past, what? Week? He hasn't asked you to be his mate yet?"