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“I’m not willing.”

Rane dipped his head. “Then I regret if I offended you. That was not my intention.”

“I should go,” Nell said.

“You’re welcome to stay. I’d value your opinion on my paintings.”

Her eyebrows rose. “I’m no expert.”

“Do you like what you see?”

Nell lowered her other hand, and for a second, she looked back at Rane’s crotch. “That’s a beach.” She pointed at the picture to her right.

“Is it a good likeness? I’m working from a book, so I don’t know if I captured the real thing.” Rane walked over to the painting, his hands clasped together.

“It’s a great likeness,” Nell said. “You’re talented. You must work hard to be so good.”

“Have you ever been to a beach?” Rane asked, pleased to see she had decided not to run.

“Of course. Loads of times when I was a kid.”

“What does it feel like?”

Nell glanced at him, a puzzled expression on her face. “You mean the water?”

“Yes, that. All of it. What does the sand feel like? Is there a breeze? What does the air taste like? I like to visit places before I paint them. It helps with my creations. It makes it easier for me to form an image in my head and transfer it onto the canvas.”

Nell pulled on her bottom lip. “It’s a beach. The sand is gritty; the water is usually cold and salty. The air smells of candy floss and sun cream. You always get sand in your sandwiches. Most people get sunburned. That’s about it.”

Rane nodded. “Tell me more. It’s fascinating.”

Nell shook herself. She backed away and looked at the door. “No, I need to go. I shouldn’t have come here. I was just... walking. I couldn’t sleep.”

Rane stared at her. This human was troubled. There was something about her; it was as if every nerve was on high alert, waiting for danger. “I’d like to help. I’m good with helping people stay calm.”

She stared at him. “What do you want to help me with? What makes you think I need help?”

“I’m not sure. But I sense your... worries.”

“Keep your alien abilities to yourself,” Nell snapped. “I don’t need you getting inside my head and trying to figure me out.”

“I’m not. I mean, I wouldn’t.” Rane’s hand rested on his chest. His heart beat unusually fast.

“I need no one’s help. I know how to help myself.” Nell slid open the door.

Rane stepped forward and caught hold of her elbow.

Her reaction was lightning fast as she turned and slammed a foot between his legs.

Nell walked out without a backward glance.

“Nell, wait.” Rane rubbed his groin, glad that his balls sat inside his body and only descended when he mated. That kick had been brutal and meant to disable him.

She had problems, and Rane felt the urge to pull that angst out of her and put it onto a canvas. It made his heart ache when he was around someone in so much torment.

Not only that, but capturing such simmering emotion could help him to create his most brilliant work to date. He imagined that small, intense human with those big dark eyes staring back at him from the easel. It stirred his artistic lust and something more. He couldn’t let her get away.

Rane hurried along the corridor, determined to catch up with Nell and convince her she should be his next study. He’d never had a muse before. She would be his first.