They took Ashley to the motor pool. Fury halted the Jeep near a SUV without any NSO signs. A tall figure awaited them. Jaded! There he stood with arms crossed over his broad chest. Her heart skipped a beat as he approached the Jeep and held out his hand to her, helping her climb out of the back seat.

»Thank you,« she smiled.

»Nice to see you again, Ashley,« he replied without returning her smile.

The human driver opened the backdoor of the SUV. »I'm Shane. Nice to meet you.« He gave her a grin and sat in the driver seat. Ashley got in the back and was stunned as Jaded seated himself next to her, slamming the door close.

»I'm taking you home if you don't mind,« he said sternly.

Somehow, she managed to shake her head. No, she didn't mind! Not at all. The SUV started and they were on their way. No one spoke and the silence grew heavy. She glanced at Jaded who refused to look at her and stared out of the window.

»Is it just me or are you fuming about something, Jaded?« No reaction. She snorted. »Fine! Let's not talk.«

»You could've been raped or even killed,« he suddenly grumbled.

»And who are you? My mother?« she snapped. »Fact no.1: It wasn't my fault. Fact no.2: Vengeance was being helpful and I gave him my word to come back as soon as possible, and I'm damn not planning to break it! Fact no.3: As a district attorney, I've talked to desperados that make Vengeance look like a kindergarten kid. But thanks for your concern.« She leaned back and crossed her arms. »Besides... Vengeance told me what he did to some of the females. I mean... Trying to force them to mate with him and so on.«

»You don't get the point, do you?« he yelled. »He was trying to mate you! And he didn't just want to put a ring on your finger, trust me on that!«

Oh, bite me! This day's sooo messed up! Closing her eyes, she started massaging her temples. The defense at court really pissed her off; her little one was sick; she lost her way on Reservation and ended up with a 200lbs baby crying on her lap. The last thing she needed was a scene! She struggled hard not to lose her temper and turned her head to face a grim looking Species male. »I had a bad day and I'm awfully tired but perfectly fine! Can we change the subject now? Please?«

»No!« He crossed his arms. »I'm not through with you yet.«

»Ah! Come on guys.« Shane grumbled and slapped the steering wheel. »You're fighting like my parents and they're married for thirty-five years now. You're really giving me a headache.«

»Then just stay out of it, son!« Jaded snapped.

A second of stunned silence followed before they all burst out in laughter. This finally broke the ice.

»I'm sorry I lost it,« Jaded still chuckled and wiped tears of laughter from his eyes. »But when I heard you accidentally ran into Vengeance I was worried to death.« Anyone but him, was my first thought.

»I understand,« she gave him a reassuring smile. »But I think I baffled him by yelling at him.«

»And probably by your appearance,« Shane added. »I guess your height and attitude reminded him of a Species female. And no male wants to mess with a raging female.«

She looked at Jaded and saw him shrugging. »True!«

»Here we are, folks!« Shane parked the SUV.

Ashley saw Karen, the babysitter, standing in the doorframe and talking to an older man. The doctor she assumed. She hurried out of the car.

»Dr. Harris? How's my daughter?« she asked, looking down on the much smaller man.

»Your daughter is well so far, Ms. Hamilton,« he said with a smile. »She's just caught a little cold. She's asleep now.« He handed her his card. »Please don't hesitate to contact me, when she's not getting better within the next three days.«

Jaded approached. »Thanks, doc.« He shook hands with him.

»You're welcome, son!« he smiled and left.

Karen shifted her stance. »Can I go now?«

»Of course... thanks for taking care of Hope.«

Karen left immediately and Jaded followed Ashley into the house and glanced around. He liked it. Quite stylish but tasteful!

»Make yourself at home, Jaded. I'll be right back.« Ashley kicked off her shoes and hurried up the stairs but paused half way up and turned to him, blinking. »I'm sorry. I'm a terrible host. Would you like something to drink?«

Jaded followed her and grinned. »No thanks. I'm fine.« He touched the handrail and his fingertips inadvertently landed on hers. A jolt of electricity shot through him. His gaze met hers and the world stopped turning.

»My girl,« she said and bit her lip.

»I long to see her,« he answered. His hand slid forward and cupped hers.

»So come and meet my daughter.« Smiling, she took his hand, led him up the stairs and opened the door to her daughter's room.

They approached the bed. Hope slept tightly with her tiny fists resting near her head with messy dark blonde curls. The sight of her almost took his breath away. He'd never seen anything as beautiful as her. The picture of peace and innocence – that's what she was.

»She's perfect,« he whispered.

Ashley nodded. »She is.«

Long seconds ticked by, while he watched her sleeping. Mine! He didn't care who fathered her. She was his! Just like her mother.

Ashley softly squeezed his hand and led him out the room. After closing the door, they stared in each others eyes.

»I guess you should leave,« she muttered.

He came closer and his eyes roamed her face. »Do you want me to leave?«

»No… but we just met.« Her fingers entangled with his and she swallowed. »We shouldn't do this. This is crazy, Jaded.«

»No, it's not. It's magic. And you're a witch,« he reminded her. »I'm under your spell. It makes me want to kiss you.« His eyes rested on her full lips.

»I haven't kissed for years. I probably forgot how it's done.«

He cupped her face and brushed his lips over hers. »Then just enjoy the show. And join the performance whenever you wish.«

His tongue slightly caressed her lips and begged her to open up for him. As she did, he slid his tongue inside her mouth and started his seductive game.

Oh, Father help me! This guy knew how to kiss! And he smelled so good! A woody fragrance lingered on his skin and mingled with his own scent to something utterly sensual.

He broke the kiss and nuzzled her cheek, his hot breath fanning her skin. Hell! It's been four damn years! Yet she felt desire again - and it was wonderful to be a woman! His hands slid up her body. Moaning, she arched her back. He pressed against her and she felt his erection. Even if she'd only be a one-night-stand for him, at least she'd have felt alive again for a few hours.

»I really have to leave or we'll end up naked and all over each other,« he murmured in her ear.

»I want you all over me,« she whispered.

That's it! His control only went so far. He slammed his lips down on hers and kissed her hungrily. Who was he to deny her pleasure? Just as she started tugging at his shirt, his brain went back online. Oh, shit! He had no condoms.»Protection,« he mumbled at her lips.

She pulled back her head to look at him and blinked. »I don't have any diseases.«

»Never suspected you to have any, baby. Nor do I but…« He sighed and pressed his forehead against hers. »There's something I have to tell you.« Another deep sigh. »The rumors about us being sterile aren't true. In fact almost all mated couples have kids. I suppose you're not on the pill and if you're not interested in having my baby right away, we need protection. And I don't have any condoms at my disposal. Sorry…« She stared at him with a strange expression he couldn't read.

»You said you love children. Do you plan on having your own?«

»I do… eventually,« he replied honestly.

Ashley avoided his gaze and the silence stretched between them. He frowned. »What are you trying to hide from me?«

»When Hope was born there were some complications,« she said with a shaky voice.

He arched his brow. »And?«

Instead of an answer, she closed her eyes.

»Look at me, Ashley!« he ordered and her eyes snapped open. »Just tell me straight away, what you want to say. I'm not good at putting your human pieces together. Remember, how I screwed up when we were sitting at the bar?«

»I…« She stared into his striking green cat-like eyes.

»You what?«

»I can't have children anymore,« she whispered.

His features softened and he smiled patiently. »You really don't know much about Species, do you?« She shook her head. »The point is that we become addicted to the females we love and that's just what's happening to me. Fury once almost crushed his mate by rubbing his body against her because he needed to get rid of the stench of another woman who tried to kiss him. Children are not important, only you are. I love you, Ashley. You stir my senses in a way I never thought possible. I want you as my mate. I did already when we were sitting at the bar but it finally hit me when I almost had a heart attack because of Vengeance. I not only want your body but your soul as well. I want the business woman and the mother. I want to take you to bed and taste you. I want you beneath me and look into your eyes while I make love to you slowly and hear you moan. I want you on your hands and knees in front of me and leave my mark on you while you scream my name. I want to fall asleep with you in my arms and wake up the same way.« He drew her close. »And I want your daughter. She's the bonus! I want to see her grow up. And I can't wait for her to yell at me that I'm completely ruining her life if she can't have that tattoo at the age of thirteen. And I want to walk her down the aisle one day and hand her over to the male she chose and threaten him to let him suffer before I rip his head off if he dares to ever make her cry.« She laughed slightly at his joke and he grinned back at her. »I'm offering you forever, Ashley. I don't need six months to be sure. Since I danced with you, you're deeply embedded in my heart. Your happiness is my first priority. Will you marry me? Be my mate?«

She was stunned. »You're totally serious, aren't you?«

He shrugged. »Of course. I admit I'm a possessive prick. That's simply how my Species brain works. I couldn't leave you even if I wanted to.« He looked into her eyes and hoped he wouldn't scare her away.

»What if I don't love back?«

»I do know you like me,« he grinned and wiggled his eyebrows. »You like to talk to me and so do I. And we have good laughs together. Right now, I can even smell your arousal and it almost drives me insane. You might come to love me. We have a lifetime to share. Just keep in mind the proverbial patience of cats.«

She cupped his face and caressed his skin with her thumbs. A smile crossed her lips. »I bet you don't have the slightest idea how easy it is to love you, Jaded. You have a heart of gold and I've fallen in love with you already. I'd gladly accept your proposal if it was just me. But there's Hope. I want her to be comfortable with her new daddy. I'm sorry.«

»Don't be.« He held her tight and pondered what she said. »So if I win her over, you're going to be my mate?«

She chuckled. »Yes.«

»No problem,« he grinned and winked at her. »Ladies have a crush on me. I'll work my way into Hope's heart.« He pressed her against the wall. »Now kiss me once more. I'm feline and we like to play with our prey,« he groaned.