Page 34 of The Hunter

Closing her eyes, she groaned as the airflow cooled her face and chest.

What I wouldn’t give for a plunge in a river right now.

“Drink.”

Lacey started at the deep, gravelly sound of Telok’s voice. Her eyes flew open to find him standing close beside her, holding out his waterskin.

Heat that had nothing to do with the climate washed through her, flooding her already flushed face.

He. Wants. To. Fuck you.

Lacey looked away from him, fanning herself faster at the memory of Cole’s words. She was still reeling from that revelation.

Telok wants me.

She’d had it wrong all this time, and everyone—everyone—but her had known it.

“I’m okay,” she said hurriedly.

“Lacey,” he growled. Snatching her spear from her grasp, he pressed the waterskin onto her palm. “Drink.”

Lacey’s fanning stopped as she looked down at the waterskin. Past Lacey would’ve been annoyed by his bossiness, but present Lacey knew why he was doing this.

Because he cared about her. Because he was concerned.

And that was…sweet.

She didn’t know how to handle sweet Telok in the slightest.

“Um, thanks.” Raising the waterskin to her lips, she took a sip. And oh God, it was delicious. The water was so cool and refreshing going down her parched throat that she couldn’t stop herself from drinking more. Her gaze flicked up to meet Telok’s.

Mistake.

His eyes were focused upon her mouth, and once more, that desirous green fire gleamed in them.

Lacey’s breath hitched, making the water go down the wrong way. She sputtered and coughed, ripping the waterskin away from her mouth as she tried to clear her airway.

Telok patted her back, his hand thumping her pack with just enough force to make her rock on her heels.

“I’m fine,” she rasped, clearing her throat. That tickling irritation lingered.

With an unconvinced grunt, Telok grasped her backpack and steadied her. “Drink more. You leaked all day.”

“Yeah, well, that’s what humans do. We leak all over.” She cleared her throat again before raising the waterskin to take another careful drink.

And Telok hovered there, watching closely.

She held the waterskin back out to him after swallowing a mouthful. “Thanks.”

“Drink.”

“I had plenty.”

Releasing her pack, he brushed his palm over the back of her neck. The rasp of his callused fingers over her damp skin sent a thrill along her spine.

He moved that hand in front of her, displaying the sweat clinging to it before flicking the droplets away. “Drink more, vi’jatai.”

There it was again.