It's not a date, she reminded herself. It's sex and a picnic dinner. Maybe not even sex. Yeah, right. It's totally sex. You know it and so does he. Then what? She didn't have an answer. Part of her was tempted to cancel. It just smacked of foolishness to get involved further with him when they both admitted it couldn't go anywhere.

She glanced at the clock on the bottom corner of the computer screen and decided she'd meet him one last time after work. That's it though. Just to say goodbye before I get in over my head.

Worry nagged Tiger as he glanced down the road again. He'd been hung up with the shift change when a male who had transferred from Homeland had questions. Zandy hadn't been waiting when he'd arrived fifteen minutes late. Had she given up? Left already? He stared at the clock on the dashboard of the Jeep and decided he'd wait another ten minutes. The idea of returning to the gate and spending the evening sulking over their broken date really irritated him.

The sound of an engine perked him up since Zandy was the only person who should be traveling on the road. A grin spread across his face as he climbed out to greet her. She parked right behind him on the shoulder, in the grass. He opened her car door before she could unfasten her belt, eager to get his hands on her.

A small gasp escaped her lips when she stood and he lifted her into his arms until they were face level. He inhaled her scent, softly groaned, and his cock reared instantly to life when blood rushed there. He just wanted her naked.

She laughed. "Did you miss me?"

The feel of her arms wrapping around his shoulders made him grin. "You have no idea." The scent of her arousal teased his sense of smell and a soft growl escaped in response. "You missed me too. I wasn't the only one looking forward to our time together."

Pink tinged her cheekbones. "You can smell that, right? That I want you?"

He nodded, backing away from the open car door with her in his arms. He closed it with his knee. "You'd smell my desire if you could. I've wanted you all day."

She adjusted her hold on him and gripped his butt with one hand, squeezing the firm cheek through his pants. "You have the nicest ass." Her keys jingled from where she had them hooked on her thumb by the ring.

"Put your keys inside my back pocket." He turned with her in his arms, striding toward the woods. "Wrap your legs around me."

"I'm wearing shoes. You can put me down."

"No." The need to keep her close was too strong. His fascination and near obsession with Zandy worried him but he'd deal with that later. His hand slid lower, cupped her ass when they hit the line of trees, and he jerked on her skirt. He wanted to feel her skin. "You're no burden to me."

The hold he had on her impeded what he wanted to do and he halted. Zandy's green gaze met his and he could tell she was curious about why he'd stopped. "Let go of me for a second."

She didn't question his order, just followed it and the feeling of possessiveness for her intensified. No female had ever done anything he asked without argument first unless it was obvious what he wanted. She either trusted him or was just naturally submissive. Both concepts turned him on even more.

He adjusted her body in his arms and chuckled when she gasped as he lifted her, ducked his head to the side, and bent her over his shoulder. Her ass was right next to his cheek when he straightened and started walking again.

"I'm upside down." She sounded surprised.

One arm wrapped behind her knees to keep her in place while his other hand slid up the back of one of her soft thighs, delved under her skirt and didn't stop exploring until the underwear covering her pussy halted him. He hooked the satiny fabric with his finger, shoved it out of the way and another growl rumbled from him when his fingertip dipped inside her moist pussy. She was ready to take him.

Zandy moaned and her body tensed when he slowly fucked her with his finger, pushing into the tight confines as far as he could go. He withdrew almost all the way before driving into her again. Her hands clamped down on his ass, his dick hardened even more, and he realized how much his cock envied his index finger.

"Tiger," she panted.

"We're almost there."

The desire to lower her to the grass was nearly overpowering. The human made him insanely horny and impatient. He adjusted his hand enough to press his thumb over her clit and rubbed while he banged her faster with his finger. The scent of her arousal grew stronger as her pussy grew wetter, sleeker and hotter. He had to bite back a snarl, the animal side of him demanding he put her down and fuck her immediately.

Her hands kneaded his ass through his pants, her soft cries of pleasure tortured him and he came to the sad conclusion that he wasn't strong-willed enough to make it to the clearing. His dick throbbed and each step was agony. He pulled his hand away from the vee of her thighs, grabbed her hips and dragged her down his body until her arms wrapped around his neck.

Her eyes were narrowed with desire and he could see how much she wanted him. "Hold on to me and wrap your thighs around me."

She did as he ordered and he managed to tear open the front of his pants. He hadn't worn underwear so some of the pain eased as his stiff shaft, which had been bent at an awkward angle, was freed. One arm grabbed her around her waist to lift her a little higher. His fingers hooked the center of her underwear, tore them, and he fisted the base of his cock. He never looked away from her beautiful eyes as he adjusted the direction of his shaft until the crown slid through the seam of her pussy and he drove up into her with one fluid thrust.

Pleasure made him quake as she cried out his name again and the tight walls of her pussy squeezed his dick, which was buried deeply. No pain showed on her face from his quick entry and he spread his thighs to brace. His arms shifted under her spread thighs and he cupped her ass to slam her up and down on his cock. Moans of ecstasy and the need to come urged him to fuck her faster.

Zandy's head tipped back and her fingernails dug into his skin through his shirt. He wanted to kiss that mouth that panted his name but he was afraid he'd bite her. The desire to mark her was there. He didn't care if it was by bite or his seed filling her but he wanted something to show that she belonged to him.

That urge grew stronger as her climax hit and her vaginal muscles clamped down around his shaft almost painfully. He had to slow his thrusts as her body shook and he threw back his own head. A roar tore from his mouth as his hips jerked at every blast of his semen filling the woman he held.

Tiger's knees gave way and he collapsed onto them to land on the grass. His strength and agility kept them both from falling over as he adjusted his hold on her to keep them upright. Zandy's face fell forward and she nuzzled his neck as her arms hugged him tightly around his neck. They were both breathing hard from their shared pleasure. They were still connected, his dick buried deep inside her and he didn't want to separate them.

He shivered when she licked her lips and his throat in the process. He turned his head slightly to give her better access. Just the thought of her sinking her teeth into his skin and biting him made his cock twitch. Desire gripped him again, although it was more manageable after the sex they'd just shared.

"Bite," he demanded.

"You didn't bite me."

Her soft words startled him and he jerked out of his haze of after-sex bliss. "What?"

"You just whispered the word bite. You didn't get me with your teeth."

He knew that. But he had wanted her to bite him bad enough to say something he hadn't realized he'd uttered. She wouldn't leave a mark the way a Species could but it still tempted him to ask her. She could bruise him if she bit hard enough. Her marking him again with her teeth filled him with a mixture of emotions. Fear, confusion, desire, and longing.

The sound of her stomach grumbling roused him from his musings and reminded him they hadn't eaten. A feeling of shame filled him next. He'd gone to the trouble to set up a nice outing for her but his passion had overridden his intentions. He'd taken her while standing in the middle of the woods. Her needs should have come first.

His hold on her eased and he forced his hips to move. The feel of withdrawing from her body wasn't a satisfying one-he liked being joined with her.

"Stand up," he urged.

She didn't appear any happier than he was when she unlocked her thighs from around him and her feet lowered to the ground. He rose to his full height and released her in the process. He closed his pants.

"We didn't make it to the creek. Are you ready for dinner, Zandy?"

Her face tilted up and she peered at him. A slight smile curved her lips. "I am hungry."

Tiger didn't ask permission but instead just leaned forward and scooped her into his arms. He spun, heading for his original destination. Her arms wrapped around his neck without complaint and she rested her cheek against his shirt.

She felt right in his arms and no amount of denial could change that. He didn't act rational when it came to the human he held. She wasn't typical in any manner, in his defense. He inhaled and muffled a purr. He could sniff her all day and night without tiring of her scent.

The sound of the creek led him to the spot he'd left an hour earlier. He admitted he might have gone a little overboard with his preparations but he didn't regret it. He'd soon find out if she appreciated the effort. Human females were a mystery to him and he had no idea if she'd find it romantic or disturbing.

I'm losing it, he admitted silently. I have it bad for her. A mental image of him falling off a cliff flashed through his mind. Fuck. Maybe it's just a temporary fascination. I'm not mate material. I enjoy my freedom too much.

Chapter Seven.

Zandy admitted Tiger had a way of making her feel small and sexy in the cradle of his arms, as if he were the strongest man in the world and she the most feminine woman. It made her even more attracted to him.

"I went to a lot of trouble. Look," his husky voice urged when he stopped walking.

Her head turned and a soft gasp escaped her parted lips. Tears filled her eyes next as she stared at the scene before her, deeply touched. An air mattress had been placed in the shade under a tree next to the moving water. Thick, comfortable-looking bedding had been neatly spread across it to make a romantic bed for them to share. Next to it a blanket had been spread out with a large picnic basket. A bucket of ice with either champagne or wine was placed next to the food. He'd even brought real plates, silverware and glasses. A pile of towels cushioned a camping lantern.

"What do you think?"

She turned her head to stare into his gorgeous eyes. There was no missing the worried look lurking there, as if he questioned if she would love the romantic gesture.

"I can't believe you did all this for me."

A frown curved his mouth. "I made you cry? I see tears. You don't like it?"

"I love it. This is the best surprise ever, Tiger. No one has ever done something for me like this before." She blinked back more tears. "Thank you."

His features smoothed out. "You are worth all the time I spent setting this up." He carried her to the edge of the picnic spread and put her on her feet.

Zandy sat and carefully arranged her skirt while removing her shoes. Tiger sank down next to her and his hand cupped her cheek. The tip of his thumb brushed her mouth.

She regretted it when he released her and focused on the basket instead. The smell of fried chicken teased her nose when he opened it and began to remove food. He'd also brought mashed potatoes, gravy and corn on the cob. A box of donuts had her hiding a smile. He grabbed the bottle from the ice bucket, popped the top, and she glimpsed the label. He'd brought a fruity wine and carefully filled both glasses before setting it back in the ice. She accepted the glass he offered her.

"Here is to us being together tonight."

She touched her glass lightly to his. "This is fantastic, Tiger. Thank you so much."

Broad shoulders shrugged and she could have sworn she saw a hint of red color his cheeks as his gaze darted away from hers to the food. "I hope you like to eat fried chicken. I know this is a favorite picnic food for humans."

"I love it." She sipped the wine and put her glass down. "You really outdid yourself and I appreciate it. This is perfect."

"It was nothing." He looked at her again. "I wanted to encourage you to spend more time with me."

"You succeeded."

He chuckled and relaxed. "Eat. I want to get you out of your clothes afterward."

Amusement made her smile. He was blunt and she liked that about him. "I like that plan."

The clearing was beautiful and Zandy appreciated the scenery as they ate. There was a small waterfall upstream. Birds sang in the treetops above them, the weather was warm and they had a few hours before the sun would set. Any doubts she'd had about meeting Tiger faded.

The amount of food he put away stunned her a little but her gaze took in his sheer size. She deduced it probably took a lot of calories to maintain all those muscles. He opened the donuts last and offered her one. She accepted and noticed he avoided the chocolate ones. She shook her head when he offered to fill her glass a second time.

"I have to drive home later. One glass is it for me."

He hesitated. "You could sleep here with me. It is safe. I wouldn't allow anything to happen to you and I checked the weather. It will be a nice night."

The idea of sleeping with Tiger was too much of a temptation to resist. "Okay. I'll just have to leave early to have time to go home to shower and change my clothes. It seems your people have a supersensitive sense of smell. I know now that they can pick up just about everything a person does if they get close enough."

"Yes. I planned to warn you about that."

"I already learned that lesson today."

"What happened? Did someone inform you of what shampoo you use? It smells nice."

"That would have been way less embarrassing than what happened."

Tiger frowned and stared at her. "Someone embarrassed you? Who?"

It seemed amusing now. "At lunch I was staring at you and kind of remembered yesterday. I guess I got a little turned-on. I didn't realize New Species could pick that up." She grinned. "You are hot."

He didn't smile back. "What happened? What was said?"

"Nothing really. Creek pointed it out to me in front of Richard and offered to introduce me to whatever guy I liked. Richard thought it was pretty funny. Then my escort noticed and asked me if I thought he was attractive. It was a learning experience, let me tell you. It was embarrassing at the time but I'm over it."

Tiger softly growled and didn't look amused in the least. "Did your escort ask you to share sex? Did he touch you?"

That took her by surprise. Was he jealous? "No."

"Good." He relaxed. "Who was it? I don't remember who was assigned to you today."

"Snow. He's nice."

"He is attracted to female humans. I will make sure he isn't assigned to you again."

She managed to keep her mouth from dropping open. Anger glinted in his eyes as he watched her and she swallowed a protest. Tiger was jealous. "He's fine. He didn't hit on me or anything. He just assumed I might be attracted to him and that he was the source of what he smelled. I set him straight."

"Did you tell him it was me who aroused you?"

"No."

A muscle in his jaw flexed as he seemed to grind his teeth together. "You need to tell any males who approach you that it is me who arouses you. You smell incredible when you're in that state and many of them might ask to share sex with you."

Zandy was a little amused and curious. "I do, huh? What do I smell like?"

He leaned closer suddenly and inhaled deeply. "It is hard to explain but it makes me hard for you. I crave burying my tongue in your pussy to taste you before I mount you."

His answer stunned her just a bit. She was not used to men being so blunt. He stood before she could come up with a response to that and offered her his hand. She took it and allowed him to pull her to her feet.

"Strip out of your clothing. We'll wash up."

Her gaze darted to the water nervously. "It's going to be a little cold."

He grinned. "I'll warm you up and I have plans."

"I love your plan so far," she admitted, as they both removed their clothing.

Tiger held her hand and led her into the water. She gasped a little at the chilly water but it wasn't too bad. He waded in deeper as she trailed behind him until he sat on a rock beneath the moving water near the opposite embankment. Firm hands turned her to face away from him and he tugged her down on his lap. He adjusted her legs to the outside of his, spread both their knees apart with his, and one hand slid to cover her pussy.