Page 28 of Alien Huntsman

“It doesn’t matter what he meant,” he growled. “He was too close to—” He cut himself off, looking away. “My instincts took over.”

Tessa studied his profile, the sharp angles of his face, the way he seemed to be fighting some internal battle. Her curiosity overcame her caution.

“What instincts?” she asked softly, her thumb tracing circles against his palm.

He went still, so still she wondered if he’d even heard her. When he finally turned to face her, his expression was guarded, but his eyes burned with an intensity that made her breath catch.

“Protective instincts,” he said, his voice low and rough. “Territorial instincts.”

The way he looked at her made her heart skip a beat. There was something possessive in his gaze, something that should have frightened her but instead sent a thrill through her body.

“Territorial?” she whispered, suddenly very aware of how close they were sitting, of his hand still holding hers.

His eyes dropped to where their hands were joined, then slowly traveled back up to her face. “Yes.”

“Over the cabin?” she asked, though some part of her already knew that wasn’t what he meant.

His lips quirked up at one corner, a fleeting almost-smile that vanished as quickly as it had appeared. “No, Tessa.” He hesitated, then seemed to make a decision. “Over you.”

Her heart hammered against her ribs as his words hung in the air between them. Over you. The simple phrase carried a weight that should have sent her running. Instead, it anchored her to this moment, to him.

“Tessa.” Her name sounded different on his lips, like a claim and a question wrapped into one. His amber eyes searched hers, looking for something—permission, perhaps, or rejection.

She gave him neither, frozen in the moment, afraid that any movement might shatter whatever was building between them.

He made the decision for her. His hands, warm and firm, gripped her waist and in one fluid motion, he pulled her onto his lap. The sudden closeness stole her breath—his heat surrounded her as his scent filled her lungs.

She should pull away. She should remember who he was, what he’d done—kidnapping her, keeping her here. But the hands that had tied her wrists now held her with such gentle strength, andthe eyes that had once looked at her with cold calculation now burned with something far more dangerous.

She didn’t try to pull away. She didn’t want to pull away.

“These instincts,” he murmured, one hand sliding up her back to cradle the nape of her neck. “They’re telling me that you’re mine to protect. Mine to…” His voice trailed off, but his meaning was clear in the way his gaze dropped to her lips.

Time seemed to slow as he leaned forward, giving her every chance to retreat. Instead, she found herself meeting him halfway, drawn by a force as inevitable as gravity.

When his lips finally met hers, the gentleness surprised her. This was not the kiss of a predator claiming prey, but something reverent, almost hesitant. His fingers threaded through her hair, holding her as though she might break or disappear.

Then something shifted. A soft sound escaped her throat, and the careful restraint in his kiss crumbled. His arms tightened around her, pulling her closer as his mouth moved against hers with newfound hunger.

Her world exploded in heat as he devoured her with his kiss. His hands tightened possessively around her waist, but she wasn’t going anywhere. She wanted this. Wanted him. The realization crashed through her like a wave, washing away all her doubts and fears.

His mouth moved against hers with growing urgency, and she responded in kind, her fingers threading through his dark hair, pulling him closer. A low growl rumbled in his chest, vibrating against her body where they pressed together.

She’d never been kissed like this before—like she was air and he was drowning. Like she was the only thing that mattered in his world. Edgar’s unwanted advances had always left her cold and uncomfortable, but Korrin’s touch set her ablaze, igniting something primal and hungry inside her.

His hands roamed her back, tracing the curve of her spine through the thin fabric of her dress. When he pulled back slightly, his amber eyes had darkened to molten gold, pupils dilated with desire.

“Tessa,” he breathed her name against her lips, his voice rough with need. “Tell me to stop.”

She shook her head, her chest heaving. “Don’t stop.”

The words had barely left her mouth before he claimed her again, more demanding this time. One hand cupped her cheek, tilting her head to deepen the kiss while the other splayed across her lower back, pressing her closer to his hard chest.

Her hands explored the broad expanse of his shoulders, feeling the coiled strength beneath her fingertips. He was power and danger wrapped in warm skin, and yet she’d never felt safer than she did in his arms.

When his teeth gently caught her bottom lip, a soft moan escaped her throat. The sound seemed to unleash something in him—his kiss grew fiercer, more possessive, and his arms tightened around her as if he feared she might vanish.

CHAPTER 12

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