Page 76 of Owned By the Hvrok

More complex.

Enticing.

He flexed his fingers against her thigh, unable to stop himself from touching her even now. Her softness was maddening. Addictive. The contrast between her and the cold, brutal world he came from was stark—andsoothing.

He had never known anything like her.

Never thought hecould.

And yet…

She had let him.

Even when she cursed him under her breath—soft, spiked anger, confusion, disbelief—she hadnot resisted. Had not pulled away. Had not fought.

She had tensed. Briefly.

He had felt her hesitation.

He had sensed the animosity. The fracture in her trust.

And still… she let him go on.

Because she’dwantedit.

That knowledge settled deep in his chest. Heavy. Satisfying.

And dangerous.

Because he didn’t just enjoy this. Hecravedit.

He enjoyed having her close. The sound of her breath. The rhythm of her heartbeat. The way she curled against him like he was somethingsafe.

And now… now that he’d touched her like that—givenher that—he wanted more.

Not just of her body.

Of her presence. Her attention. Her thoughts.

He wanted to see those jewel-blue eyes open again and look athim.At his face, uncovered, unguarded.

No barriers between them.

Not anymore.

But he still wore his helm.

He wouldn’t remove it. Not yet.

Because if he did, if he allowed her full scent to reach him, if he exposed himself fully to her… he was no longer certain he would maintain control, and it was now that he needed control more than anything else.

When they were here, holed up in the mountains in the encroaching darkness, in the cold.

When the Nalgar could come from anywhere, could attack viciously, in packs—he would have to be ready.

When a communication could reach him at any time, and he would have to have his wits about him, so he wouldn’t get deceived.

He needed to be alert, not mad with lust.

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