Page 35 of Tamed By Her Touch

“That would be acceptable.”

Clair wrapped it more tightly around herself. It nearly swallowed her whole—she liked that. Liked it a lot.

“Thank you,” she said softly.

Kaelus nodded. Then he walked her to the laboratory door—he’d never done that before.

Clair stepped into the corridor and turned back.

“Good night, Kaelus,” she murmured.

“Good night, Clair,” he rumbled.

A little shiver went down her spine. He had called her Clair instead of Doctor Donovan. He’d only done that once before.

Clair looked up at him.

Kaelus appeared to realize what he'd done because his expression immediately became guarded…but he didn't correct himself.

“Sleep,” he ordered. “Otherwise you won’t be able to work to capacity tomorrow.”

Clair smiled.

“Yes, Doctor Bossy-pants.”

He growled—a low rumble that came from deep in his chest.

Still smiling, Clair turned and headed toward her suite. The lab coat brushed around her ankles as she walked, enveloping her in Kaelus's warm, spicy scent. And for some reason, Clair found herself lifting one oversized sleeve and pressing it briefly against her nose.

Crap—she really liked the way he smelled. And she liked the way he looked at her too. She liked knowing he would catch her if she fell and feed her if she forgot to eat and protect her if something dangerous came near.

And worst of all, she was beginning to suspect that underneath all the growling and rules and impossible arrogance, he might like her too.

That was definitely going to be a problem, especially given the fact that she’d sworn off men for the rest of her life.

That was what she thought anyway, until the two of them were sitting in Commander Sylvan’s office and the big Hybrid point blank refused to go on an important scientific mission with her…

7

KAELUS

PRESENT DAY

“I refuse to go on this mission with Doctor Donovan,” Kaelus said, frowning.

The Savage Syndrome was an extremely dangerous condition. He didn’t want Clair exposed to it.

“However,” he continued, “I will be willing to go on my own.”

“I’m afraid that won’t work,” Commander Sylvan said, frowning. “You see, I need the two of you to go to Titus Four as a couple—a mated pair. They won’t allow a single male to have access to their scientific research. They don’t respect a male who isn’t able to attract and keep a wife.”

“Wow—sounds like a tough crowd over on Titus Four,” Clair remarked. She was smiling, as though this amused her. “Why exactly do we need to go there to study the Savage Syndrome, though?”

“Because almost every male there is infected with the virus that causes it,” Commander Sylvan said. “But⁠—”

“No! Absolutely not! I refuse to put Clair—I mean, Doctor Donovan—in danger by taking her to a planet where all the males are infected with that syndrome!” Kaelus exclaimed. How could Commander Sylvan even think of such a thing?

It was well known that the Savage Syndrome—otherwise known as Viral Hyperandrogenic Encephalopathy, or VHE—caused otherwise normal males to turn into beasts. Not literally—their appearances didn’t change. But an infected male would lose control of his inhibitions—the virus caused his testosterone to spike and at the same time, his mental capabilities drained to almost zero. He would become a mindless savage, intent only on fucking whatever female he could get his hands on.