HER BROTHER HADN’T changed the codes. Tessa let herself and Kayleb inside and tried to scan herself into the security system. The screen was dead and, for a moment, she thought the power had failed in his house, but the lights came on with ease and she realized that her jammer was still functioning. She decided to leave it on rather than engage the security. She didn’t want Adam calling with questions until she had the right story to tell him.

The brownstone was located in an upscale neighborhood on the Upper West Side. When in residence, her brother employed a human housekeeper and a fleet of robots to keep the place clean and stocked with food. At the moment, the robots were set to a standby protocol, dusting a few times a week, but otherwise remaining dormant. She couldn’t hear them running at the moment, and they wouldn’t bother her or Kayleb if they turned on. They weren’t in place for security.

Adam’s house was elegant in a refined and distant way. He probably had hired a decorator to fix the place up and she didn’t see anything that reminded her of her brother in the entryway. The artwork on the walls was beautiful, but it belonged in a hotel or office building, not a home. But Adam met with clients and constituents here and it was better to be bland than offensive.

At least that was what he would say.

The hallway off the entry led to the kitchen, a sitting room, and a study or office. Judging by the framed photo of Adam with the former president and the large generic painting hanging between two windows, Tessa pegged it for the place where he conducted his meetings.

She continued through the house to the kitchen, where she found Kayleb rooting through the coldbox, looking for food. From across the room, she couldn’t see anything, but he blocked out most of the view. “There might be something in the pantry,” she said.

Kayleb straightened up and threw a grin over his shoulder, making her heart flip. He didn’t grin like that for other people. Just her. She grinned back, unable to stop herself.

He’d remembered her brothers’ names. His memory might be coming back. She didn’t dare to hope and she wasn’t sure that it mattered, but it had been a long week and the troubles weren’t over yet. But they were in a nice house, with a nice soft bed upstairs, and she didn’t want to fight him, not tonight.

One day for yourself, her mind whispered, a seductive taunt. Keep him tonight and worry about tomorrow later.

It might hurt, tasting him once more only to say goodbye. But her heart had been in tatters since the moment she saw him again and she didn’t know if she could live with herself if she didn’t give him a proper goodbye.

Her mate abandoned the coldbox and opened the pantry. Tessa came to join him, standing so close that she could feel the heat coming off his body. She wanted to touch, but snapped her hand back, clapping it against her side.

She eyed the collection of dehydrated foods with a practiced eye. “At least it won’t be as bad as ship food,” she said. The food for crew on space ships ranged from disgusting to palatable, and almost anything on Earth tasted better.

Kayleb shot her a glance. “I’ve never heard of any of these things. Why doesn’t he have a processor?”

“He does.” Tessa was almost certain. “But I doubt he keeps it stocked when he’s not here. It’s probably in storage.” She leaned forward, using the motion as an excuse to brush against Kayleb and grab a box of flavored pasta with protein. “This will do,” she said, flashing the package at him. “Just like Nanny Rosa used to make.” She bumped him playfully with her hip as she turned around and looked for a pot to boil some water.

When she had the food simmering, she turned to find Kayleb right there, less than a meter of space between them. He’d snuck up on her, silent as a cat, and she almost jumped. She couldn’t breathe as he reached up and gently brushed at her cheek with the pad of his finger, going back and forth a few times until he pulled his hand back and blew on it.

“Eyelash,” he explained.

Tessa reached up and brushed where he’d touched, his fingers imprinted on her memory. “Thanks,” she said, voice husky and full of promise.

Kayleb’s eyes flashed to red and his nostrils flared. He stepped closer, close enough that their chests brushed together and all she’d need to do was tip her head up to meet his lips and taste him like the last six months hadn’t happened. She placed a hand on his arm, whether to keep him in place or push him away, she wasn’t sure.

And when the buzzer on the stove beeped, she cursed and spun around to deal with the food. But Kayleb didn’t take that as a hint to quit. He let her deal with the pan, careful to avoid the hot dish. Once it was set down and cooling, he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close, nuzzling against her neck.

Tessa arched to the side, giving him access and pressing close, the feel of his body as familiar as it had been when they first met, first made love.

Lips brushed against the strong beat of her pulse, sending a shiver of pleasure down her spine and directly to her core. A moan escaped her lips and Tessa clenched her hands on Kayleb’s arms, keeping him close. She didn’t want him pulling back, didn’t want him to stop.

One of his palms flattened against her stomach, his fingers teasing the waistband of her pants, the fabric of her shirt a flimsy barrier that gave way with a simple tug. And then his hot hand pressed against naked skin and Tessa adjusted again, leading his arm down until he teased the skin of her abdomen, so close and yet so far from where she ached for him. His tongue trailed up the side of her neck until his teeth nipped at her ear, not enough for pain, but grounding her in his presence, his control.

“Want you,” he growled, feral and demanding.

“Yes,” Tessa gasped. She forgot about dinner, about the police, about all the troubles chasing them and surrendered to the sensation. Whatever problems this brought, she’d handle them in the morning. Tonight was for them and for all that had always been right between them.

Kayleb spun her around, and before she could get her bearings his hands were on her hips, hoisting her up onto the counter. She spread her legs and watched him step close. His eyes were twin flames, glowing red all for her, and seeing him like this was coming home. Desire painted itself across his skin, those intense eyes, the way his lips were parted and ready for her kiss, the focus of his entire being, all just for her. She’d never been scared of him, and this was why. When they were alone together, he worshiped her, and she almost felt worthy of the praise.

Tessa reached forward, all hesitancy dissolved in the heat of the moment, and dug her fingers into his soft hair, pulling him close, covering his lips in a searing kiss and yielding to his tongue as it swept inside, intent on showing her that she was his. And right now she was, there was no denying it, no will or want to do so.

Her entire body was heavy and pulsing with want, her tight heat empty and yearning to be filled by the hot erection she could feel pressed against their clenched bodies. She savored the want, let it wash through her and bundle her close, need an old friend she’d refused to admit that she missed. But, by God, she missed Kayleb and the press of his skin against her.

He tasted like the wind and something earthy, not like any man she’d ever known. The taste of him washed away any pale memory of past lovers until he was her entire world, the only one that would ever matter. She hadn’t even looked at a man in the last six months. They might have been parted, but distance didn’t matter when it came to the bond between them. It held them tight and true, no matter how far apart they were.

She pulled at the neck of his shirt, breaking the kiss. And when he stood there before her, she drank him in. The blue of his skin grew darker, almost like he was flushed, if that was something that Detyens could do. His clan markings stood out dark against the blue, almost black, the squares and triangles trailing down one of his arms like they told a story. When she’d first seen them, she thought they were tattoos, but he’d been born with them. And she’d memorized every dark spot, first with her eyes, then her hands, and then her tongue.

It was all the same, the marks on his arms that reappeared on his hip and dipped down to be hidden by his pants. She knew if she got him naked she’d see the scattering of a few on the top of his right thigh. It was all the same, and yet looking at him was a revelation. He’d always been sexy, always been hers. But now the ache of time spent apart and the sorrow of the distance whetted her appetite and made her study him with new eyes.

Nothing had changed, except everything between them.

If she were stronger, she would have pulled away. Instead, she trailed her fingers over his clan markings, tracing the tougher flesh with a feather light touch until he shivered. And then, because it was only fair, she pulled her own shirt over her head and tossed it aside, until she was sitting on the counter in only her bra and pants.

Kayleb sucked in a breath and if it was possible, his eyes went redder. His hands spanned her waist, anchoring her in place, twin infernos against her flesh, and she reveled in it. This was right, everything she’d been waiting for.

He crushed his mouth against hers and she opened under him, taking his kiss once more like she owned it, like it was her due. She couldn’t do anything else. This moment was too perfect, too long awaited to reject.

When he pulled away again, the sound she made might have been a whine. But his lips found the line of her jaw and kissed their way down, over her neck, along her clavicle, and down further, until he feathered sweet little touches against the edge of her bra, teasing her with flicks of his fingers and laves of his tongue.

She shivered under him and arched further up. “More,” she demanded, her hands tracing over his naked flesh. If she never stopped touching him, it would be too soon. She hadn’t realized how hard it was to separate, hadn’t realized the strength of the hunger her body had for him. When he unclasped her bra and let it hang loose, his mouth finally finding the sensitive peak of her nipple, she moaned again.

“I’ve got you,” he murmured as he tasted her, his lips devious and warm. “Let go.”

Her head lolled forward, body strung tight and full of pleasure as Kayleb took his time with her. Despite the urgency coursing through her, he didn’t rush, giving her pleasure at an agonizingly slow pace, as if he wanted to drive her mad rather than get her off. Somehow, her bra fell off and landed somewhere in the kitchen, but Tessa was beyond caring.

One of Kayleb’s hands found the opening to her trousers, and this time he didn’t stop too soon. He brushed his fingers over the tight heat at the junction of her thighs, making her squirm under the twin ministrations of his lips and hands. Her legs fell open even further, giving him room to maneuver. She could do nothing more than take the pleasure he gave, half-leaning against him as he ratcheted her up.

He found her wet and wanting, open for him and desperate for the slide of his cock within her. “Please,” she begged. “I need you in me.” She lazily hooked a leg over his hip, but he flicked his hips back, denying her the friction she desired.

“Is this what you want?” he asked, pulling back from her breasts and dipping a single finger inside of her, testing her.

“Not what I meant,” she muttered and thrust her hips up, physically demanding that he give her more.

Kayleb’s lips curved in a seductive smile that had her heart fluttering and heat coursing through her even more. A second finger joined the first, slowly working her, in and out in a hypnotic rhythm that kept her spellbound under his touch.

Tessa let a hand crawl down his body to find his pants. She rubbed a hand over the hard length straining against the fabric, cupping him tight. “In me. Now.”

He thrust toward her, not bothering to suppress the groan she tore out of him from the hand on his cock. But he didn’t move to undo his pants and Tessa couldn’t make her fingers work well enough to get them down and free his length. He wasn’t human and she could feel it through his pants, the subtle ridges on his cock a reminder of just how different he felt within her.

His thumb brushed over her clit and Tessa jumped at the sudden shock of pleasure, stroking him even as her hips bucked against his fingers.

“Won’t last if you keep doing that,” he said, lips trailing down her neck. He sucked hard on her flesh and she knew there’d be a mark in the morning. The dark heart of her, the cavewoman who only he could bring out, loved it. She wanted everyone to know that she was his.

“Come in me,” she said again. “I need you.”

The resistance within him snapped. His fingers were gone and he flicked her hand away for just a moment, sliding his pants down before sliding her own down enough to give him room to maneuver. It was awkward and fun and Tessa tipped her head back and laughed as her foot got caught on the cuff of a leg, whipping the fabric of her pants against Kayleb’s thighs. With a growl, he ripped them off of her, almost tearing the fabric in two.

He palmed his cock and her eyes were drawn to the thick blue length of him, mouthwatering. She wanted to taste, but her body wouldn’t be denied. She covered his hand with her own and guided him close until the blunt tip of him rested against her entrance.

He pushed his way in, the tip teasing her. Kayleb traced his fingers along her jaw, tilting her head up until their eyes met, the red intensity still hot and strong. “Denya,” he breathed it like a promise and the word sunk its hooks into her heart, burying deep and lodging within her.

Words and emotion warred in Tessa’s throat, her heart beating to declare itself while her mind made a valiant attempt to save her. She didn’t know what she was supposed to say or think, didn’t know what this meant or how she could go on.

Instead, she responded with a kiss, bringing herself closer to him as he sank in deep.

She was already almost there as he thrust, and the combined work of their kiss, and his cock, and their fingers flicking hard against her clit had her bucking against him and crying out as he emptied himself into her, claiming her in the most primal way.

Her mind whited out with pleasure; the only things existing in the entire universe were her and him and the connection bright and strong between them, an impossible bond that had saved his life and made her whole. For a single moment she thought she saw it, thick strands reaching from his heart into hers, wrapped tight, unable to let go.

And in a blink it was gone and the world rushed back. Kayleb’s flesh was hot and damp under her lips. The tile was warm under her ass, but hard, and now that the pleasure was fading, uncomfortable.

The smell of food teased her nose and her stomach growled, reminding her of how long it had been since she’d eaten anything besides an energy bar. Kayleb’s laugh rattled through her as he eased himself out of her, pulling away just enough to give her room to breathe.

She didn’t know what she was supposed to say or to feel. He was right there, but everything that had felt so perfect in the heat of the moment blew away, gossamer threads of connection dissolving. Tessa searched for the right words, but they weren’t there. Instead, all she said was, “I’m going to go clean up.” And left Kayleb behind with his own thoughts and expectations.

She didn’t know what else she could say.

***

SHE’D LET HIM IN, BUT she hadn’t taken him back. Kayleb found a second bathroom and cleaned himself quickly while the shower ran upstairs. He was back in the kitchen before Tessa and decided to reheat the food so they wouldn’t suffer through a disgusting dinner of cool and congealed pasta.

Several minutes later she came back down, her skin a little red from the heat of the shower and hair still damp. Kayleb wanted to cross the room and kiss her before laying her down on the kitchen table and feasting on her rather than dinner. But there was a stiffness to her that lovemaking should have chased away. He caged his inner beast and forced himself to remain in place, even as his soul still sang from the harmony of their joining.

Had it been like that before? Memory teased the edge of his senses, but he couldn’t be sure. He didn’t know why he could recall the names of Tessa’s siblings, but it gave him hope, the same way the blush on her cheeks and the slight smile teasing her lips did.

This wouldn’t be their last night together. He just had to convince her of that. And this wasn’t a battle he could win by fighting it head on. Instead, he prepared two plates and sat them on the table so they were facing one another rather than sitting side by side. Tessa took the seat facing the window with a word of thanks and Kayleb took the other.

“You were uncomfortable,” he said. And from the way her head snapped up and her eyes widened, he realized he’d said the wrong thing. He held up a hand and shook his head a little frantically to keep her from getting the wrong idea. “With the police, I mean. Not—” he cut himself off. She sat on the edge of her seat, her body angled a little away from the table, ready to bolt. If he mentioned the mind-blowing sex, she’d run and he didn’t know if he could find her again.

That was a lie. He’d always find her.

But he was glad that he’d had the presence of mind to tidy up in the kitchen before she came back downstairs.

Tessa relaxed back into her chair and something loosened in Kayleb’s chest, momentary worry passing. “I don’t know why,” she finally admitted. “If Tam was really waiting for me...”

“You think they lied?”

She sighed and slumped back in her chair, flicking her spoon around in circles in her bowl. “Maybe? I don’t know. I just think she would have mentioned if she wanted me to go to the station.”

“Perhaps she didn’t think that you’d want to meet her?” Kayleb offered. “You said that your relationship was strained.”

Her eyes snapped to him once more and if she’d been Detyen, he knew they’d be glowing red. “I said that six months ago.”

Kayleb put his spoon down and traced his fingers along the grain of the wood table, unsure of how to respond. “Did you?” he finally asked. He couldn’t remember the conversation, but maybe that didn’t matter as much.

“If you’re lying—”

“I would not lie to you.” It might have been rude to interrupt, but she needed to understand. “You are my denya.” She flinched and he gentled his tone, keeping his temper leashed so he didn’t scare her or make her run. “No matter what, you have my honesty and my protection. Always.” If it came out too vehement, so be it, this she needed to understand if there was any hope for them at all.

She opened her mouth, shoulders drawn back like she was ready to do battle. But then she shut it again with a click and shook her head once. “Okay,” she relented. “You’re not lying. We’ll worry about the memory stuff later, right now I want to figure out whether we should go to the precinct tomorrow. Or if I should, I guess. I don’t want you to get in trouble because of this.”

He bit back a growl. Had she not just heard what he said? “I’m going with you.”

“You don’t need to get mixed up in this. They don’t know who you are.” Her own voice grew in volume, and Kayleb realized she wasn’t arguing to shut him out.

She wanted to protect him.

He smiled, and that caught her off guard. But hope lived within him, growing stronger with every moment. He could see the mark on her neck where he’d kissed her, claimed her, though not like he’d bitten her when they first sealed the bond.

He filed that tidbit of memory away for further examination later.

Whether Tessa had admitted it to herself, she wanted to accept him again. The denya bond still held them tightly together. It was her mind that he still had to convince, not her body or her heart.

And because it was her mind, he argued with logic rather than emotion. “It would not be difficult for them to learn my identity,” he said. “Krayter and I registered with the authorities when we first arrived.”

That seemed to stop her. “Very well,” Tessa acknowledged. “I need to call Adam and Tam. Once my jammer is turned off, Adam will know that someone is here. And maybe Tam can give us some answers.”

They had a plan. That was a good first step. “I’ll call my brother. He worries.”

Tessa grinned. “Oh, I remember.” They shared a conspiratorial smile and Kayleb wanted to kiss her again. But he let the moment pass and they ate their meals in companionable silence while thinking of things to come.

When she was done eating, Tessa put her plate in the cleaner and left him with a quick peck on the cheek. Kayleb caught her hand and raised it to his lips, kissing her gently before she pulled away with a soft smile.

Things were going well. They were on the right track.

So, of course, when they awoke the next morning, everything dove straight into the hells.