Page 33 of Alien Huntsman

“I want… you,” she whispered.

“Tessa,” he warned, her name a low rumble in his throat.

“Yes?” She kept her voice light, but her pulse was pounding so hard she was sure he could hear it.

His claws slid out, sinking deep into the tree’s bark beside him.

“Go.” He sounded almost like he was in pain.

She stepped closer. His eyes burned with a combination of desire and anger, and she realized that he wasn’t angry at her, not really. He was angry at himself. At the feelings he couldn’t deny.

She took another step forward, bringing her close enough to touch.

“Why are you doing this?” he ground out, his jaw tight.

“You said to do what I want.”

For a moment she thought he was going to give in, but then he turned and stalked off into the woods.

Once again he didn’t go far and he continued to track her every movement throughout the day. He finally returned to the cabin when night fell, the air between them growing thick with unspoken tension. Every time she passed him, his nostrils would flare, catching her scent. His hands would clench, claws appearing then disappearing as he fought for control.

She’d never felt so desired—it was a heady feeling, knowing she affected this powerful, dangerous man so deeply. Yet for all his obvious hunger, he kept his distance—circling her like a predator unwilling to pounce.

When their fingers brushed as she handed him a cup of water, she heard his sharp intake of breath. His eyes flashed gold, pupils narrowing to slits before he turned away.

“I wish you’d stop fighting it,” she murmured, emboldened by the heat in his gaze.

He set the cup down with such force that water sloshed over the rim. “Don’t.”

“Don’t what?” She stepped closer, close enough to feel the warmth radiating from his body. “Don’t notice how you watch me? Don’t feel what’s happening between us?”

His jaw clenched, a muscle ticking at the corner. “It’s not real.”

“It feels real to me.” She reached up, fingers hovering near his face without touching.

His breathing quickened. His eyes burned into hers, desire and restraint warring in this amber depths. The pups sensed the tension, retreating to their makeshift bed in the corner with soft whines.

“Korrin,” she whispered, his name a question and invitation, but he jerked back as if she’d struck him.

“We need more firewood.” He turned abruptly toward the door, his body stiff.

She darted forward, catching his arm before he could escape. His muscles tensed beneath her fingers, but he didn’t pull away.

“Why are you running?” she asked softly, holding his gaze. “What are you so afraid of?”

She held her breath as he turned to face her, his eyes burning with an intensity that made her heart race. She’d never been so bold with anyone before, but something about him made her brave. Made her want to push past his defenses.

“You know what I want,” she said softly, not releasing his arm. “And I think you want it too. So why are you fighting it?”

His muscles tensed beneath her fingers, the heat of his skin almost scorching. For a moment, she thought he might pullaway, but instead, he remained frozen in place, like a predator caught between lunging and retreating.

“You don’t understand what you’re asking,” he growled, his voice deeper than she’d ever heard it.

“Then help me understand.”

His gaze dropped to her lips, then back to her eyes. The hunger there made her breath catch. He swallowed hard, his chest rising and falling in quick, shallow breaths.

“I’m fighting it because…” He paused, seeming to struggle with the words. His jaw clenched, the muscles in his neck straining. “Because I’m afraid that if I stop fighting, I won’t be able to stop at all.”

---