Laurann Dohner - Moon (Laurann Dohner)

His eyebrows rose again as he regarded her.

“You guys weren’t exactly friendly at first. I was terrified one of you would suffer a posttraumatic break in my office and don’t think for a moment that I didn’t know that even the burly male guards would have been ill equipped to handle that situation. Even your women could have kicked their butts and handed them their balls. Females,” she corrected, knowing they preferred that term.

Harley grinned.

“Do you know how much grief I got from my parents and friends when I packed up and told them I had gotten a job I couldn’t talk about? They had no idea where I was and my mother thought I was being cruel by keeping her in the dark. We couldn’t leave site four and it was boring. I would have killed to go for a drive or take a walk to a coffee shop. Anything normal.”

“You’re ranting again, aren’t you? Should I nod now?”

“Sorry. What is taking so long? Can’t you text them or something to get an update? Rusty did that.”

“I forgot my cell phone was in the back pocket of my jeans. I was afraid to turn it on until it cools down. It might be fried.”

“Damn.” She stared at the house phone on the table by the door. “Can you call someone?”

“They’ll let us know when they figure out what is going on. All we’ll do is make them drag their asses more if we interrupt whatever is happening right now.”

“Impatience used to be a common Species trait.”

“Isn’t progress a wonderful thing?” He chuckled. “I see why Moon likes you. You’re kind of cute when you’re not in shrink mode.”

“You’re single, aren’t you?”

“Yes.”

“Big surprise,” she huffed and crossed her arms over her chest.

“Sarcasm isn’t lost on us anymore either.” He stood. “Do you want something to eat? It might keep your mouth busy before you get too insulting.”

Joy knew she was being bitchy. She’d thought up the crazy plan. They could have at least told her if it worked or not. It was driving her nuts, wondering if he’d been able to retain his memory or if he’d slipped back into the mental fog.

The doorbell rang and she started. Harley strode to the door and threw it open. His big frame blocked her view but she was close enough to hear his surprised gasp.

“Moon!”

“And a Security detail,” a familiar, husky voice answered. “To watch me to make sure I remain myself.”

“You’re out of Medical?”

Joy inched closer, a little stunned as well that he’d been released from supervision. Elation hit next. It must mean he had broken free of the drug’s hold on his system. Her heart speeded up and she hugged her waist, trying to get a look at him around his bulky friend.

“We’ll talk later. I came to speak to Joy. Do me a favor and go to my house. I’d kill for a few steaks and some coffee. I should be there about the time you’re done making them.” Moon chuckled. “I assume you won’t mind.”

“No.” Harley stepped forward and hugged the other Species. “Not a damn bit. I’m glad you’re back.”

Moon stared at Joy over his friend’s shoulder while he hugged him back. “Me too. I’ll be there soon. We have a lot to catch up on.”

Joy barely noticed Harley’s departure, staring at the man she loved instead. Moon had obviously showered. He wore a black tank top and sweats. His dark gaze locked on her as he stepped inside then turned and spoke to the Species who accompanied him.

“Wait there. This is private. You’ll hear if there’s a problem and I won’t lock the door so you can gain entry if there is.” He didn’t wait for a response as he closed the door firmly between him and the security detail on her porch. He leaned against it and looked at her.

“It worked.” It was all she could think to say. Moon stood in her living room. His handsome face held a grim expression, a stark reminder that he wasn’t the same person she’d once known. Wariness shone in his eyes and a little anger too, if she were to guess. Nerves struck hard as her stomach clenched. He’d either come to thank her for rushing to his side or to ask her to leave Homeland.

“We found an implant in my arm. It was dosing me with the drug to keep it in my system longer. At first we believed it was a tracking device but realized the truth once it was examined under a microscope and tested. Traces of the same chemical in my system were held within it.”

She was too stunned to speak. He was cured but it wasn’t because of her suggestion to use the sauna after all. It didn’t matter to her as long as he was better though.

“Ted figured it would have kept drugging me for a few more days at most but then it would have finally been over.”

“I’m glad you’ve recovered.” Her voice came out shaky. Her shoulders straightened a bit as she pulled herself together and forced her arms to her sides. She wanted to appear calm and composed. “How are you feeling? No lasting headache or fogginess?”

Moon cocked his head. Anger definitely flashed in his dark eyes. “Is that all you have to say to me, Dr. Yards ?”

She gave up on being professional. It was bullshit to even pretend to be able to pull that off and they both obviously knew it after the mocking way he’d just addressed her.

“No.” She took a hesitant step forward, the urge to touch him strong enough that her fingers flexed. It probably wouldn’t be smart to try it though so she paused, keeping a good ten feet of space between them. “What do you want me to say? I’m no longer your therapist but that’s the role I’m most comfortable with at this moment because you are glaring at me. I’m trying to determine why.”

He pushed away from the door and slowly stalked closer. Joy took in the lithe way he moved. An alarm went off in the back of her mind. That wasn’t a man coming at her but a predator, a pissed-off and dangerous one. She took a step back before he could touch her. He froze and softly growled.

“You of all people should know better in my current mood. You turn and run, I’ll take you down.” He glanced behind her before holding her gaze. “The carpet looks thick but I doubt it would prevent you from getting hurt if I tackle you to the floor.”

It was tough to think as she battled fear and logic. He wouldn’t intentionally harm her though she knew his threat was real. She stared up into his face and his exotic beauty struck her once more. He looked fierce and sexy at the same time. His full lips were slightly parted, reminding her of his sharp canines. The bite mark on her didn’t hurt but her awareness of it was suddenly heightened, along with the memory of how he’d put it there.

“I’m almost tempted to push you,” she admitted, throwing caution aside. His beautiful eyes widened, his surprise apparent. “What would you do to me?”

His gaze moved down her body slowly, taking in every inch, and his nostrils flared as he inhaled. She glanced down to the front of his sweats. There was no missing his response. The outline of his cock thickened and lengthened as she watched.

“Fuck,” he softly hissed.

She jerked her gaze away from his groin to look into his eyes again. He glared at her. She took another small step backward, knowing it would provoke his instinct to give chase.

“Don’t do it, Joy. I came to talk.”

That’s what she dreaded. She was afraid he’d ask her to leave Homeland. He must regret what had happened between them and it wouldn’t be a stretch if he blamed her for them having sex. His need to speak to her implied he wished it hadn’t happened. She tried to hide her pain.

“Okay.”

His eyes closed. “Don’t use that tone.”

“What tone?” she whispered, not trusting her voice to hide the fact that her heart was breaking.