Page 38 of Bite the Power
"Nope. That's her calling." Kaidan watched her carefully, trying to gauge her reaction. "Are you angry that she might have orchestrated this?"
"I should be," Tessa said slowly. "But if she has a perfect success rate, she must be doing something right. And honestly?"She turned to meet his gaze. "I can't be too upset because I ended up being right here with you."
The admission that she couldn't be upset about ending up with him struck Kaidan like lightning through his chest. The vulnerability in her green eyes and the honest acceptance of their impossible situation, made his bear surge with possessive satisfaction. She wanted this—wantedhim—despite every logical reason to run.
Unable to restrain himself another second, Kaidan leaned forward and captured her lips with his. The kiss ignited instantly, desperate and hungry, as if they'd been starving for each other despite sharing a bed just last night. Her soft moan vibrated against his mouth, and he deepened the connection, one hand threading through her silky dark hair while the other pulled her closer against his chest.
She tasted like wine and promises, like everything he'd been searching for without knowing it. The mate bond thrummed between them, electric and demanding, urging him to claim her again. His control wavered dangerously as her tongue met his, bold and seeking, and he had to fight every instinct screaming at him to strip her bare and remind her exactly who she belonged to.
When they finally broke apart, both breathing hard, Kaidan rested his forehead against hers. The firelight danced across her flushed face, making her look like some ethereal creature conjured from his deepest fantasies.
"Come to bed with me," he said, the words somewhere between command and plea. "Just to sleep. I want to hold you tonight."
"I'd like that," she whispered, and the simple acceptance nearly undid him completely.
They moved to his bedroom in charged silence, the massive space dominated by his king-sized bed with its carvedheadboard depicting polar bears. Kaidan's hands shook slightly as he helped her out of her clothes, revealing the smooth skin beneath.
God, she was perfection.
When they were both naked and in his bed, he pulled her against his chest, skin to skin, and nearly groaned at the sensation. Every nerve ending came alive where they touched, the mate bond singing with rightness. Her soft breasts pressed against his muscled chest, her legs tangling with his longer ones, and he had to grit his teeth to maintain his promise of just sleeping.
"This is torture," he admitted, his voice a low rumble against her ear.
"Good torture or bad torture?" Tessa asked, and he could hear the smile in her voice.
"The kind that might kill me, but I'd die happy." He pressed a kiss to the top of her head, breathing in her sweet floral scent. "You fit perfectly here."
She nestled closer, her hand splaying across his chest directly over his heart. "I never thought I'd want this. But with you, it feels..."
"Right," he finished when she trailed off.
"Yeah. So right."
As they settled into the warmth of his bed, Kaidan's mind wandered. Images of Tessa wearing a crown, standing beside him as he addressed the clans, ruling Frosthaven with the perfect balance of compassion and strength. His queen. His partner in every sense of the word.
Soon,he promised himself as sleep finally claimed him.Soon she'll realize this is where she belongs.
SEVENTEEN
TESSA
Tessa's consciousness drifted back slowly the next morning. The first thing she registered was warmth—not just the cocoon of furs around her but the solid heat of muscle and skin pressed against her back. Then came the gentle sensation of fingertips tracing lazy patterns along her spine, sending delicious shivers through her entire body.
She opened her eyes and peered over her shoulder to find Kaidan propped on one elbow beside her, his blue eyes fixed on her with a burning intensity that made her heart skip a beat. His thick blonde hair was tousled from sleep, and the morning light pouring in through the frost-covered windows cast a golden glow across his face. He looked like a man who'd discovered lost treasure but also like he wanted to devour that treasure completely.
"Good morning," she murmured, her voice still husky with sleep.
"Morning, beautiful." His voice was a low rumble that vibrated through her body where they were pressed together.
She turned her body to face him fully. "How long have you been awake staring at me?"
"Awhile." No embarrassment, no apology—just that alpha confidence that seemed to define everything about him. "I could watch you sleep for hours."
Heat flushed through her cheeks, but she couldn't deny the thrill that shot through her at his admission. This powerful king, this man who commanded the Arctic, was enamored by her. The knowledge was intoxicating and worrisome in equal measure.
Through their newly formed mate bond, she could feel the depth of his emotions—the possessiveness that bordered on obsession, the fierce protectiveness that made him want to shield her from every possible threat, and underneath it all, a desire so intense it threatened to consume them both. What scared her most was how clearly her own feelings must be broadcasting back to him—the love she was starting to feel despite every logical reason to guard her heart.
This is dangerous,she thought as his thumb traced her cheekbone.I'm falling for him when everything about this situation screams temporary.
