Page 17 of Bite the Power
TESSA
The Jeep's engine hummed quietly as they pulled away from the palace, but the silence between them felt anything but quiet. Tessa stole glances at Kaidan's profile as he navigated the snow-covered road, his strong hands gripping the steering wheel with the same controlled precision he seemed to apply to everything else.
Why is he giving me such special attention?The question had been nagging at her all day. Elora's earlier comment about Kaidan never treating guests this way echoed in her mind.
And the way he'd watched her throughout dinner, his intense blue eyes tracking her every movement, had been impossible to ignore. There was something almost predatory about his focus, yet it didn't frighten her—it thrilled her in ways she didn't want to examine too closely yet.
She'd never had a man look at her like she was the most fascinating thing in the room. Especially not a man who looked like Kaidan—all broad shoulders and rugged masculinity wrapped in an aura of barely restrained power.
And he was aking, for crying out loud. She'd never even met minor royalty, let alone someone who ruled an entire kingdom.
Yet sitting beside him now, watching the way he concentrated on the icy road, he seemed almost... normal.
The air in the confined space felt electric, charged with something she couldn't name but could definitely feel crackling between them. Every time he shifted gears, his hand brushed close to her leg, sending little sparks of awareness shooting through her. She found herself sitting unnaturally straight, hyperaware of every breath and every movement.
"You know," Kaidan's deep voice broke the silence, "you don't have to sit there like you're afraid I might bite."
Heat flooded her cheeks. "I'm not—I mean, I'm just trying to be respectful. You are the king."
His laugh was rich and warm. "Forget about that for now. Just be yourself, Tessa. I don't need formal courtesy when it's just us."
The relief that washed over her was immediate and profound. "Thank God. I was starting to get a crick in my neck from sitting so straight."
His smile transformed his entire face, making him look younger and infinitely more attractive. "I prefer authenticity to protocol anyway."
This felt like her opening. "Speaking of authenticity—why are you giving me so much attention? I mean, I've been here for only one day and you've personally assigned me a guide, invited me to dinner, given me a palace tour..." She trailed off, studying his reaction. "Elora mentioned you don't usually go to such lengths for guests."
Kaidan's hands tightened on the steering wheel, and she watched his internal struggle play out across his features. For a moment, she thought he might tell her something important, something personal. Instead, he cleared his throat.
"I want you to feel welcome here. Too many of my people still view humans with suspicion." His voice carried a carefulneutrality that felt rehearsed. "I don't want you to think all polar bear shifters are unfriendly."
She sensed there was more he wanted to say, something hovering just beneath the surface of his controlled exterior. The way his eyes kept darting to her, the tension in his shoulders, and the careful space he maintained between them—it all suggested a man fighting against his own instincts.
"Well, mission accomplished," she said softly.
Their eyes met briefly before he returned his attention to the road, but that split second of contact sent heat flooding through her body.
Too soon, the research station's lights appeared through the darkness. Tessa felt an unexpected pang of disappointment as Kaidan pulled into the small parking area and cut the engine. She wasn't ready for this evening to end, wasn't ready to return to the reality of being Dr. Monroe the climate scientist instead of just Tessa, the woman who'd somehow captured the attention of an Arctic king.
"Thank you again," she said, turning to face him in the sudden quiet. "I had a wonderful time."
"So did I." His voice was rougher now, intimate in the confines of the Jeep.
Their eyes locked, and suddenly the air between them felt supercharged. Kaidan leaned closer, close enough that she could see the golden flecks in his blue eyes and could feel the warmth radiating from his large frame. Her breath caught as his gaze dropped to her lips.
He's going to kiss me,she realized, her heart thundering in her chest.The King of Frosthaven is going to kiss me in his Jeep like we're teenagers.
But instead of closing the distance, Kaidan pulled back abruptly and opened his door. "Let me walk you to the front door."
Disappointment and relief warred in her chest as he came around to open her passenger door. His hand was warm and strong as he helped her down from the high seat, and she found herself reluctant to break the contact.
They walked to the research station entrance in silence, their boots crunching on the packed snow. At the door, Kaidan turned to face her, his expression unreadable in the dim light.
"I enjoyed spending time with you, Tessa. I hope we can do it again soon."
"I'd like that." The words came out breathier than she intended.
Without warning, he grabbed her hand, lifting it to his lips. The kiss he pressed to her knuckles was soft, reverent, and completely unraveling. His beard brushed gently against her skin, and she had to suppress a shiver.
