She wasn’t an animal, a vessel to be bred.

What she wanted no longer existed. Love and family were things of the past, something for future history books. If only his narrowed gaze, the one perusing every inch of her body, saw something more than a fertile. If Ashley had to choose a man to love her, she wouldn’t hesitate to select Draven. He was perfect—rugged and fearless, powerful, hypnotizing.

He came closer, and she instinctually backed away.

“Relax, little one. I said I won’t hurt you.”

There was a scar across his cheek, his thick stubble not growing along the seam. It only added to his appeal and intrigue. She caught his scent as he walked back and forth in front of her, a spicy sandalwood that she breathed in deeply.

“Sit down.” He pointed to a loveseat near his bed. She complied, cautiously sitting on the floral print cushion. “Tell me about yourself. Before the virus. What did you do for a living?”

She cocked her head, confused by his question.

“People don’t talk anymore. The art of conversation died with most of humanity, it seems. Tell me something. A memory. Anything.”

Ashley swallowed hard. This was strange, almost dreamlike, but it took her focus away from basic instincts and allowed her to think back to when life had been normal. Sane.

“I was a nursing student. My last year.” Her own voice sounded odd to her. “I had a dog. His name was—” Tears filled her eyes because she couldn’t even remember. So much of her past had been blocked out, maybe for her own sanity.

“It’s okay, baby.” Draven squatted down in front of her, one hand on her knee. “It’ll take time. Don’t worry about it.”

She took a deep breath, not wanting to appear weak in front of a man.

“Do you remember any of your hobbies?”

“Reading. I loved to read, but most of the books have been burned for heat,” she said.

He smiled. “I have a library downstairs. Fully stocked. I’ll show it to you later, if you like.”

She couldn’t help but smile back. Ashley wondered if her face would crack. It had been so long since she had something to smile about.

“It’s good to keep the mind active. Sometimes an escape is vital these days, don’t you agree?”

She nodded, trying not to stare at the broadness of his shoulders or the way the material of his shirt tightened around his biceps.

“Me, I was a Marine. Good one, too. Fought for freedom, or so they told me. Maybe I was a pawn for the government, an assassin for their greed. Who knows? Now, there’s nothing worth fighting for.” He wet his lips. “No, that’s not true. Not anymore.” His hand was still on her knee, and she could feel his heat and every twitch of his fingers. Her core coiled tight, her reaction to this man unnerving her. “Do you have any fears, Ashley?”

She loved the way he said her name, like it was a dessert he was savoring.

“Men. Being a victim.” Why was she opening up to this stranger? This had to be all an act. But somehow, he made her feel safe, her hard layers falling away. “I never asked to be a fertile, but it’s a curse, not a blessing.”

“Don’t say that. It’s a beautiful thing. A gift.” His hand slid slightly higher, resting on the fleshy part of her thigh. Could he hear her heart pounding in her chest? It sounded deafening in her ears.

“That’s because you’re a man. You probably don’t have any fears.”

He scoffed. “I’m afraid of a lot of things. Some I never even realized until you showed up at my gates. Most of all, I’d say the biggest one is death.”

This caught her interest. “Everyone has to die.”

“The way the world is now, the next day is never a guarantee. I’ve seen so much death, even before the virus. I want no part of it.”

“So you’ll stay alive forever?”

He chuckled. “Maybe I will. What about you? Care to join me?”

She shrugged, playing along. This fairy tale was better than her reality for now.

“We can forget the rest of the world, stay here, and live forever. Just you and me.” Something changed in his demeanor, a darkness passing over his features. Hunger. She wasn’t afraid. If anything, she didn’t trust her own instincts when it came to Draven.