5

Joy studied Moon as he paced his cell. He was distracted, snarling and agitated. A howl had fractured the quiet of the room when she’d stepped out of the elevator. He immediately focused a viciously angry gaze on her before he turned and ignored her completely. She swallowed, slipped off her shoes, and slowly approached.

“Moon?”

He didn’t even glance her way. It made her wonder what had happened since she’d left. Did he remember grabbing her throat? Threatening to kill her? Maybe he thought she’d come for retaliation in some form. Mercile employees would have.

It would be suicide to get too close to him at the moment so she walked to the chair Rusty had brought and sat. She crossed her arms over her chest as she watched him, hoping he’d calm or grow tired. The guard upstairs had told her that Moon had eaten an hour before. The new chains attached to his arms and legs dragged on the floor. That factored a lot into his state of mind. She’d bet her career on it.

“Can you understand me?”

He didn’t even pause his back-and-forth pacing. One arm shot out though the bars and the chain attached to it slammed into them. The sound made Joy wince.

“They had to do it. Do you understand? Everyone here is trying very hard to help you.”

Moon ignored her but he snarled again and paused, shaking each of his legs to make the chains jangle. Her focus fixed on the restraints when he held still. It appeared the Species had wrapped leather bands around his wrists and ankles then placed the metal shackles over them to protect his skin. He began pacing again, dragging the chains, and let out a tormented howl.

The sound was haunting yet terrifying at the same time. So much rage. Joy didn’t blame him. He’d been locked inside a cell in a dimly lit basement. She’d argued to have the lights turned up but the officer had shaken his head.

“He gets worse if we make them brighter. He seems to like the dark better. It’s the predator inside us.”

Joy couldn’t argue with that logic and had let it drop. Moon had shed his humanity after the dart attack. The animal side of him would prefer darkness if he couldn’t run free. There wasn’t any good news yet from the medical staff either. No cure had been found and the doctors were still clueless about what drug concoction had caused him to turn feral. Whatever his attacker had done, it hadn’t dissipated. She had hoped it would wear off and he’d return to normal but it hadn’t happened.

“Moon?”

He continued to pace, yanking on his chains every few feet, and threw out the other arm. The chains hit the bars. It was obvious they were making his condition worse but Justice North had made the decision and he was in charge.

Joy rose to her feet, trying to gain Moon’s attention. She crept closer. His nostrils flared as he sniffed loudly but he still refused to stop the back-and-forth trek inside the small cell. She did however note that with each turn, his gaze flashed her way. He watched her but did it on the sly.

Five feet from the cell was close enough. She brushed at her skirt, wishing she had a pair of pants. She hadn’t expected to stay at Homeland when she’d received the call from the NSO. They’d brought her some spare clothes but no pants. She had T-shirts, some gym shorts, and two skirts.

“Moon?”

His head snapped her way and his upper lip curled back to reveal straight, white teeth and sharp fangs. He snarled but stopped pacing. His dark eyes narrowed as he glared at her. If looks could kill, she knew she would be dead at that moment.

Her fingers shook slightly as she unbuttoned her shirt. Ah-ha. His gaze locked on her chest and heavy breathing replaced the angry sounds he’d made. She parted the silky material enough to give him a better view of her push-up bra and cleavage. It also showed him her bare waist to the waistband of her skirt.

“Now I’ve got your attention.”

He glanced up and held her gaze a moment before dropping his focus to her breasts. A soft rumble came from deep within his throat as he stalked closer to the bars and gripped them.

“Can you understand me? Nod if you can, Moon.”

His fingers clenched the bars tightly enough that his knuckles whitened.

“Moon?”

He stared into her eyes and she watched him. He pointed to the area in front of him.

“You want me there? Talk to me. Let me know you’re not going to hurt me.”

“Come.” His voice came out inhumanly deep.

Goose bumps broke out over her skin.

One step closer and she paused. It would encourage him to keep trying to communicate with her, she hoped. She wasn’t willing to allow him to put his hands on her until she could get a better fix on his state of mind.

“Here.” He pointed again.

“Not yet.”

Her heart pounded. Moon had always intimidated her with his sheer size and strength. That had been when he’d been her client and in full control of his mental faculties. He’d only gotten more muscular and bulky since he’d left site four.

Anger flashed in his eyes. “Now.”

Three words. Joy was keeping track of everything he said. “Do you know who I am?”

Confusion clouded his expression. It wasn’t the response she was hoping for.

“I’m Joy.” She pointed to herself. “Joyce. Dr. Yards. We used to know each other. Think, Moon.” An idea came to her. It might make things worse but she really didn’t see how it could get much worse. “466? I need for you to talk to me.”

He wanted the female to come to him but she stayed out of his reach. It incensed him. Rage swirled in a red haze inside his mind. Then she spoke and called him 466. Some of the fog thinned enough for a memory to surface. He tried to concentrate on it. It was something important…

Delicate pale hands with long red fingernails became clear in his mind. He wondered how they would feel against his skin, on his back particularly, since they weren’t real. Humans wore fake nails. It seemed curious to him that the females would do that. He stood, closed the distance, and grabbed hold of her wrist. It was delicate too. He could easily crush the bones if he wished. His gaze lifted at the sound of a feminine, soft gasp.

“What are you doing? Let go.”

There was a hint of fear in her pretty eyes and it pissed him off. He ran the pad of his thumb over the tip of her fingernail. Smooth, not sharp at all. He doubted she could break skin with them. He bent forward and she drew back in her chair but couldn’t get too far away with him refusing to release his hold.

“I’d never hurt you, Joy.”

“Joyce,” she corrected. “I mean, Dr. Yards.”

He laughed. “Why do you have these, Joy? What is their purpose?”

The question appeared to startle her. “Um, they look good and I guess they remind me of my feminine side.”

His gaze swept over as much of her as he could see with the desk blocking his view. “Everything about you is female. Why would you need a reminder?”

He couldn’t resist sliding his thumb over her palm. Soft and smooth. He wanted to feel the glide of it across his skin too. Preferably while she was naked under him. He’d even take her facing him the way humans preferred. He’d never tried that position but then again, he’d never wanted to mount one of them before.

She didn’t attempt to jerk out of his hold but she didn’t seem happy either. “It’s a human thing. Um, women like to feel pretty and they wear makeup and get their hair and fingernails done.”

He studied her face. “You don’t wear makeup.”

“I do.”

That surprised him. He sniffed, leaning closer until he was bent over the desk, hovering near her face. “I don’t see or smell it.”

“I don’t wear much.” She finally tugged weakly, trying to free her hand. “Please take your seat. You know the rules. You’re being ornery today, 466.”

His humor surfaced. “I want you. I’m curious about your body.”

“Curiosity killed the cat,” she whispered.

That amused him and he laughed. He liked to ruffle her and get responses that weren’t expected. He loosened his grip and she pulled away. Relief washed over her expression but then he leaned over the desk so far that the edge pressing against his hips was the only thing stopping him from falling over. He carefully gripped her face with both hands to avoid bruising her skin and she gasped again.

“Good thing I’m canine then.”

He went nose to nose with her, breathing in that wonderful scent that was hers alone. He loved how Joy smelled. Her lips parted. He knew it wasn’t her intention but it was an invitation he couldn’t resist. He tilted his head and tried to kiss her.

Panic widened her eyes a split second before she twisted her head, surprising him enough to allow her to escape. His lips brushed her cheek instead. He wanted to snarl but managed to control the impulse. The last thing he wanted was her fear.

“Kiss me.” He whispered the demand. “I won’t get you with my teeth. Trust me, sweetness. I want you to enjoy it.” His dick hardened so fast he flinched at the pinching sensation where it was trapped inside his jeans. He wanted Joy too much and wouldn’t be denied much longer. “Let me in.”

“No.”

He barely heard her soft rejection. A grin surfaced as he eased back a little, releasing her. “You will soon. Look at me.”

She turned her head hesitantly, so close every breath she took teased his lips. Their gazes fused. The urge to grab the desk and throw it out of the way made him fist his hands to prevent following through. He’d be on her in a heartbeat, take her to the floor and fuck her.

His dick suddenly throbbed painfully and felt as if it had its own heartbeat. The idea of her bare under him, her legs and arms wrapped around him as he pounded into her body was enough to test his ability to remain still. She’d be soft, sweet, and hot.

It was too much. He straightened, skirted the desk, and dropped into a crouch. Her eyes widened when he forced her chair to turn, moving in closer until her knees were pressed against his belly. He forced her legs apart to fit his between hers.

“466? Don’t!”

Her voice trembled but it wasn’t fear he saw in her eyes. He inhaled, the scent of feminine arousal enough to drive him insane. She wanted him too but wouldn’t admit it. Frustration rose. Why did she keep denying their mutual attraction with her words when her body revealed the lie?

“I’ll hit the alarm.”

The silent plea in her eyes was clear. She didn’t want to do it but she would. It was always the threat she used to keep him at bay. He was tired of it.

“You won’t. They’ll shoot me with drugged darts, lock me up for a week, and assign me to the other head shrink.” He moved in closer and his hands gripped her waist. It was small and her skin under the material was pliable when he gently squeezed, fascinating him with how different she was from his own kind. “You don’t like her. I’m yours and you won’t give my care to someone else.”

Her mouth opened, closed, and her breathing became erratic. “I don’t dislike Geraldine.”

“Lie,” he stated.

“She’s a colleague of mine and I’ve never said I dislike her.”

He muffled a snarl. She wanted to start an argument to distract him from sharing sex. It wasn’t going to work. “You look at her with disgust and irritation. You don’t like her and you won’t allow her near me.”

Her hands flattened on his chest. They felt good but would feel even better if she were touching his bare skin. “We treat our clients differently, that’s all.”

“What is the difference?”

Joy licked her lips, teasing him with her tongue. “Besides her making more money? Degrees. She’s got more of them than I do. As far as training and qualifications though—not much. We’re both doctors, trained in psychotherapy. She’s a psychiatrist, I’m a psychologist. I have a Psy. D. after my name but she has an M.D. after her name. She makes a distinction, as most of them do.”

“You are nicer. I’ve heard she’s mean. You won’t hit the alarm. They will give me to her. You don’t want that.”

Her fingertips dug into his shirt to grip him more firmly. They were not strong enough to force him back when she pushed. He really liked the feel of them.

“I don’t.”

He knew it. “Let me touch you. It will be good.”

That tongue darted out again to swipe her lips. “Listen to me,” she whispered. “We can’t do this.”

“You want me. Don’t lie.”

“I do,” she admitted so quietly he had a hard time hearing those two wonderful words.

Satisfaction filled him. “Good.”

“But we can’t do this.”

Frustration rose fast. “We can.”

“No, we can’t.” She glanced toward the door, then back. “May I ask you something? Total honesty?”

“Yes.” He’d tell her anything she wanted to know.

“If I were to say yes, after you got what you wanted, would you stop coming after me? Is this curiosity to have sex with me once or more?”

He didn’t have to think. “More. Once would never be enough.”

“That’s what I thought.” Her chin lifted and determination shone in her eyes. “Back off or I have to hit the alarm. I don’t want to but I will do it.”

He could see the truth in her eyes and growled, jerking away. It would be easy to stop her from sounding the alarm. His reflexes were better than hers. She’d never reach the button if he threw her out of the chair, took her to the floor and pinned her. As tempting as that was, he’d never do it. He’d lose her forever if he broke the trust she’d given by allowing him to be alone with her during their sessions.

“It can’t happen,” she whispered. “I wish it could but it can’t.”

“Why not? I want you, you want me, and no one is here to stop us.”

“They’d figure it out.” She straightened in her chair, her spine stiff. “I think we should call it a day, don’t you?”

“No. I don’t want to leave.”

Beautiful eyes pleaded with him. “You need to go. We’ll continue this tomorrow.”

“Fine.”

Anger warred with frustration. He spun and marched out of her office. The next day they told him she no longer worked there and wasn’t coming back. He never saw her again.

He was confused because she stepped closer to him. How could she have gone when he was looking right at her? What is real? What is memory? A growl tore from him as he clasped the bars that blocked his path to Joy.

“Easy,” Joy crooned. Moon was acting irrational, his expressions changing as she regarded him. “I’m right here. You need to calm down. Relax.”

The Species behind the bars wasn’t the 466 she’d known. He’d been moody, a loner, but slowly making progress at letting her get close to him. She’d fallen in love with 466. Then the version of Moon she’d seen on Harley’s video had been charming, outgoing, and he enjoyed sports. Of course, his motive for the latter may have been that he’d wanted to play with the females. That was a strong possibility and it made her little green-eyed monster stir.

The male she faced was neither of those versions though. He was dangerous and unstable. Don’t forget that, she advised herself. “Do you know me?”

“You left me.”

The words startled her but she was grateful to hear them, despite the way he snarled the accusation. He remembered the past and obviously wasn’t happy with her. It didn’t matter. He was talking and knew who she was.

“I had no choice.”

One hand snaked through the bars, reaching for her. “Come here.”

Should she move close enough for him to touch or not? Anger radiated from him but she wasn’t a stranger to him any longer. Joy took another step closer.

“Don’t hurt me.”

“Come,” he harshly demanded.

She stepped within his reach. His hand gently gripped her upper arm, steering her closer with a light tug. She pressed against the bars, peering up at him.

“Why am I here?” He glanced at the bars.

Hope flared that the drugs were wearing off. “You’ve been sick.”

Confusion clouded his features. “I don’t catch colds.”

“You were on guard duty and you were shot with a dart that was filled with an unknown drug.”

“Guard duty? We have guards. Why would I do their job?”

Alarm rattled her. “Where do you think we are?”

“The motel.”

Shit! He is in the past, not the present. She tried not to panic. “Think hard. Do you remember leaving the motel at all? Going to Homeland?” She hoped the hints would trigger memories.

“What is that?”

Oh God. Huge chunks of his memory are gone. Calm down and hide how freaked out you are, she ordered herself. His memory hadn’t returned. He seemed able to remember her and the time in the desert, at least. That was improvement.

“Let me out.” He looked at the bars again. “Unlock the door.”

“I can’t. I don’t have the key.”

He growled and his hold on her tightened but not enough to hurt. “Why did you do this to me?”

“I didn’t.”

“You ordered me caged?” Anger narrowed his eyes and he softly growled. “I hate being locked up.”

“I didn’t order it.”

“The other doctor you hate did this to me?”

“I didn’t hate her. I just thought she was kind of a snob.”

“You left and I became hers.” He pressed his face against the bars. “I don’t like her and this is payback for my refusal to speak to her, isn’t it?”

“No.” She carefully chose her words, not wanting to send him into shock or cause him emotional trauma by hinting that he’d lost so much time in his mind. “It wasn’t her choice either. You were dangerous.”

“I wouldn’t hurt any of the female guards.”

He was definitely in the past. “I know that. But you haven’t been yourself. What is the last thing you remember?”

“You left me.”

“How long has it been since I left?” She wanted to pinpoint his time frame and then she could keep track of his progression.

His mouth twisted into a grim frown and he shook his head. “I don’t know. A while.” His other hand slipped through the bars and cupped her face. His fingertips created a welcome rasp along her cheekbone where he caressed her. “Why can’t I answer that?”

“You’ve been sick,” she reminded him. “Confused. It’s okay. You’re getting better.” She slid her hand through the bars to rest her palm over his warm, firm chest to stroke him. “You’re going to be okay though. That’s why I’m here. I’m not leaving you again, 466. I promise.” She felt it was safer to use his number rather than his name since that was what he was familiar with in his current state.

His hand released her to slip his arm around her waist and urge her closer. He inhaled, closing his eyes.

“You smell different.”

“I changed my shampoo and conditioner but I’m not wearing perfume. My body wash is new too.” She didn’t have access to her own products, using what the NSO had provided instead. She planned to ask them to allow her to order the brands she used.

Dark eyes opened to silently watch her. “Tell them to let me out.”

She wished she could.

“I need out of here.” His breathing increased. “I hate being caged.”

“I know.” Her hand trailed up his chest and down to his stomach near his bellybutton, then back up, trying to comfort him. “Relax. Don’t get upset. Just talk to me. I’m right here.”

“I need to get out of this cage.” He stopped stroking her cheek to yank his hand back and fisted the bars. “Get me out.” His tone deepened into a growl. “Call the guard, Joy. I won’t hurt anyone. I’ll tell them I’m yours and they will have to take your orders.”

Temptation was a bitch and she debated what would happen if she did call out to other Species. Would seeing who guarded him set his progress back by confusing him more? It might be the push to help him remember who he’d become since she’d known him. Shock could also set back his recovery. She didn’t know what to do. She’d studied mind-altering drugs, but not how they affected New Species.

“I’ll go talk to the people in charge.”

That drew another frown but he released her waist, backing away from her and her touch. “Do that. Get me out of here.” His gaze lowered down her body, hesitating on her breasts, before he met her stare again. “I don’t want bars between us. You aren’t leaving me again. You gave your word and I’m holding you to it.”

“Okay.” She nodded, her hand feeling cold after losing the contact of his warm skin. She closed it into a fist. “I’ll do that right now. Just stay calm. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

He looked down his body and growled, raising both arms. “Chains.”

“I know.”

Another snarl tore from him before his chin jerked up so he could hold her gaze. “Get me out of here. Get these off me. Take me to your office and tell them I’ll talk to you.”

“I will.” She backed up, hating to leave him, but needing to talk to the Species about immediately changing his living conditions. She spun, walking quickly toward the elevator.

“Joy?” She stopped, glancing back.

“Don’t run from me again. Promise.”

“I promise. I’m not leaving you this time. I’ll be back as soon as I can talk them into getting you out of there and removing those chains. I’m coming back as soon as possible.”