Page 40 of Alien Huntsman

“I heard you scream,” he muttered.

“Agatha startled me, that’s all.”

“Did you mean it?” he demanded.

CHAPTER 16

Korrin’s heart thundered in his chest as he raced through the forest, Tessa clutched against him. She hadn’t struggled when he’d snatched her away from the old woman. Instead, she’d wrapped her arms around his neck, her face pressed against his chest.

He burst into the clearing around the cabin, not slowing until he was inside with the door kicked shut behind them. Only then did he set her down, his hands lingering on her waist.

“Did you mean it?” The words tore from his throat, rougher than he intended.

Tessa looked up at him, those blue eyes clear and steady. No fear. Just that quiet determination that had captivated him from the start.

“That I want to stay with you? Yes.”

He circled her, unable to remain still. His beast paced beneath his skin, demanding he claim her properly, make her his in every way. He curled his hands into fists, claws digging into his palms.

“Why?” He stopped in front of her. “I kidnapped you. I was paid to make you disappear.”

“And yet here I am.” A small smile played at her lips. “Safe. With the pups. With you.”

He shook his head, unable to comprehend how she could look at him with such warmth. “I’m not a good person, Tessa.”

“Nonsense.” She stepped closer, eliminating the distance between them. Her hand came up to rest against his chest, directly over his hammering heart. “I don’t care what you think you are—I know what I’ve seen.”

He caught her face between his hands, tilting it up. “And what have you seen?”

“Someone who cared about saving orphaned pups. Who made sure I was warm. Who hunts for me and teaches me to survive.” Her fingers curled into his shirt. “Someone who touches me like I’m precious.”

His thumb traced her cheekbone, marveling at her softness.

“I don’t deserve you,” he whispered.

“I’m not asking what you deserve.” She rose onto her tiptoes, her lips a breath away from his. “I’m telling you this is where I want to be.”

He stared down at her, his beast rumbling with satisfaction at her words. She wanted to stay with him. Him—not the village, not some human male who could give her a normal life.

“But as much as I want to be with you,” she added, her fingers tracing the sharp line of his jaw. “I’ll need to visit the village sometimes. I have friends there. The bakery…”

His grip on her tightened instinctively. The thought of her returning to the place where Lenora had tried to have her killed made his hackles rise.

“It’s not safe,” he growled.

“Not now,” she agreed, her thumb brushing across his lower lip, instantly derailing his train of thought. “But eventually. With you beside me.”

With him. The implication that she saw a future where they moved together between his world and hers silenced his objections. Her trust in him to keep her safe made his chest swell with fierce pride.

“But that’s for later,” she continued, her voice dropping to a whisper that sent heat coursing through his veins. Her scent changed, sweetening with desire. “Right now, I want you to stop holding back.”

He inhaled sharply. “Tessa?—”

“I’m tired of you pleasuring me and then pulling away.” She pressed her body against his, soft curves fitting perfectly against his hard planes. “I want all of you, Korrin. I want you to make love to me. I’m ready.”

He growled and reached for the buttons on her dress. She beat him to it, unfastening them rapidly and letting it slip to the ground. He snatched her up in his arms, relishing the feel of her naked skin against his.

“Are you certain?” he asked, as he placed her on the bed.

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