Page 57 of The Hunter

But Telok remained a constant, cradling her against him like she was something precious. As long as he was with her, she wouldn’t be lost.

“Do you hear?” he asked, voice low.

Lacey’s brow furrowed. “Hear what? I don’t⁠—”

Telok pressed a long, clawed finger over her lips, silencing her. “Listen.”

For a moment, she heard nothing other than the jungle’s usual bird songs, animal calls, and rustling leaves. But then she noticed it—gentle burbling, steadily growing louder as Telok strode onward.

Lacey perked up as she swept her gaze ahead of them, seeking the source of the sound. “Is that water?” Had Telok’s hold been even a tiny bit looser, she might’ve leapt out of his arms in excitement to race ahead. She looked back at Telok with a grin. “Is that what you wanted to show me?”

His only response was his mandibles lifting into the vrix version of a smile.

Her anticipation grew along with the volume of the water.

When the jungle finally opened up to reveal a stream, Lacey’s breath caught. Given the way she’d felt for the last few days, this was the most beautiful sight she could’ve imagined. It was larger than the brooks they’d stopped at recently, spanning at least twenty feet from bank to bank, and was shaded by leafy branches stretching high overhead. Scattered columns of sunlight broke through to make the crystal-clear water sparkle. She guessed the water would reach her knees, meaning it was plenty deep enough to drop her ass into and let the water flow around her.

“Good, Scarhide,” Garahk said in vrix from behind Telok. “We will wash here and take more rest.”

“Hell yeah!” Cole cheered. Almost as fast as Lacey could blink, he dropped his bag and weapons on the ground, kicked off his boots, and shoved his pants down. With his dick swinging in the air, he ran toward the water.

“Enthusiastic as ever,” Lacey muttered, looking away.

“I must tend to Lacey,” Telok declared. “We will be near.”

She blinked up at Telok. “Huh?”

He gestured to Elharat, who strode over and handed Telok Lacey’s backpack and spear. And then Telok was walking upstream, leaving the others behind.

“Why are we not staying with them?” she asked.

“They do not need to see.”

“Don’t need to see what?”

His gaze flicked down to hers. “You.”

That brief, possessive look sent a rush of desire through her. She tamped it down. “I don’t understand. We all stayed together whenever we stopped for water before. What does it matter if they see me or not?”

“You wanted to bathe. I am giving you privacy.”

Meaning…he was going to keep watch so she could take off her clothes and bathe for real? With soap?

Lacey squealed softly. “I could totally kiss you right now.”

Telok’s gait faltered, and his face snapped toward her, eyes flaring. Though she didn’t hear a sound from him, she felt a low, deep rumbling in his chest.

Someone likes the sound of that…

Reaching up, she skimmed a finger along his jaw. “Do you…want a kiss, Telok?”

He stopped, and his gaze dipped to her mouth. She didn’t need his words for confirmation; it was in his eyes as he hungrily stared at her lips.

Leaning forward, Lacey kissed his cheek. It was a fleeting press of her lips, but a shudder coursed through him, and his grip on her tightened before she pulled away. Her lips tingled from the contact.

His head dropped, giving chase, and his mouth pressed roughly to hers.

Lacey’s eyes widened, and her heart thumped.