Page 100 of The Hunter

Lacey set the dress atop the bag and stood, pulling on the pants and lacing them up in front. She peeked over her shoulder at Telok. His head was slightly turned, and she glimpsed one glowing eye watching her.

Grinning to herself, she caught hold of the hem of her blue dress and lifted it over her head. Her hair fell once it was free, sweeping down her back and shoulders. She felt the air upon her naked skin, but she could also feel Telok’s gaze on her back as though it was a physical caress over her flesh. Her nipples hardened into aching points as the heat within her resurged.

I’m seriously going to have to do something about this later.

After nights of sleeping in his arms, his teasing in the stream, and what had occurred this morning… She wasn’t sure how much longer she could last.

This nub snubbing wasn’t cool.

Plucking up the green dress, Lacey yanked it on over her head and tugged it down. Though durable, the material was thankfully thin, allowing plenty of airflow to keep her cool. She slipped her feet into her boots next. Of all her belongings, these were what she’d mourn most when they were gone. They’d made traveling so much easier and more comfortable, and she didn’t want to think about the inevitable day when they’d become too worn and damaged to use.

Raising her arms, she gathered her hair to attempt a French braid. She turned to face Telok as she worked. He was still staring at her over his shoulder.

If she was close to bursting after all this sexual tension, she couldn’t imagine how much worse it must’ve been for him.

He took a deep breath through his nostrils, and his body shuddered. More wood cracked and bits of it fell to the floor as he tugged his claws free of the wall, stepped back, and faced her fully. She couldn’t help feeling a flicker of disappointment at the distinct lack of an extruding cock at his pelvis. Only his claspers were visible there, crossed very, very firmly over his slit.

His gaze was no less intense than it had been earlier, but that intensity was different now. It was piercing. Telok stalked to his bag, sinking down over it to ensure it was closed securely. Though the edge had dulled, his stiff movements retained a hint of that barely restrained frenzy.

Lacey watched as he rose and slung his bag onto his back, her clumsy fingers failing to keep the strands of her hair taut. She flashed him a saccharine smile. “Are you okay now?”

Telok once again fixed those fervid green eyes upon her. He walked to her with long, slow strides that devoured the space between them, as though to demonstrate just how quickly he could reach her if he wanted to take her. And he loomed there, staring down at Lacey, seven feet of scars, muscles, and arachnid testosterone.

She chuckled nervously. “It’s a great day for a hunt, don’t you think?”

He growled, and his mandibles shifted subtly outward.

Lacey cringed.

Here we go… Time for another argument.

“Turn around,” he commanded.

Holding the end of her braid over her shoulder, she furrowed her brow. “Why?”

Muscles ticked in his jaw; she could almost hear his fangs grinding.

“Wait…” Lacey glared at him and took a step back. “You’re not about to tie me up and leave me here, are you? Because I swear, if you even try to⁠—”

Telok grabbed her hips with his lower hands and spun her around. Lacey stumbled, losing her hold on her unfinished braid, but his solid grip ensured she didn’t fall.

She turned her head to look at him. “Telok, wh⁠—”

He grasped her chin with his upper hand, forcing her face forward again. One long finger shifted to press over her lips.

Did he…did he just tell me to shut the eff up?

She opened her mouth and clamped her teeth down on his finger.

Snarling, he tugged her back against his chest and pried his finger free. “Vi’jatai, behave!”

“Stop cutting me off when I’m talking.”

Telok lowered his head, his voice deepening to a husky rasp. “If you bite again, it will not be my anger you awaken.”

“Oh.”

Was it bad that she was tempted to see if he’d fulfill the promise of that threat?