Page 44 of Alpha Hunt

“Edirn…” she whispers. It’s an invitation I can’t ignore. In an instant, we’re in each other’s arms, our lips meeting in a searing kiss. It’s different from the one we shared before; more intense, more urgent. Her hands tangle in my hair, pulling me closer, and I can feel the heat of her body pressed against mine.

“Mmmm,” she hums deep in her throat.

My mind flashes back to this morning, to the way she had melted into my touch, the way her body had responded to mine. I had wanted her then, had burned to take things further.

Not the right time…

But now, with her in my arms, with the taste of her on my tongue, I can feel my resolve crumbling.

Fuck…I want her…

I break the kiss, pulling back just enough to look into her eyes. They’re dark with desire, her pupils dilated, and her breathing heavy. I can sense the war within her, the battle between her head and her heart.

“Casey,” I murmur, my voice rough. “I want you. I’ve wanted you from the moment I first saw you. But I need to know that you want this too. That you’re ready.”

She looks at me, her gaze searching, probing. I can feel her thoughts, the confusion. Fear, uncertainty, longing. But beneath it all, a deep, unshakable desire. Without answering, she winds an arm around my neck and pulls me down to her again.

It’s all I wanted, all I’ve craved this whole time. Her lips on mine, needing me as much as I need her. My hands wander over her body, programmed by instinct, by her desires. I run them down her back, over her hips, swallowing a moan when I grip her ass. The globes fit perfectly in my palms, soft and pliant. I knead her curves, growling at the deliciousness of her flesh against my own.

When she arches her back, I lift one hand, finding her breast, full and firm against my touch. I break the kiss to suck on her neck, watching her throw her head back as she gasps. The prickle of her nails digging into my scalp spurs me on, a growl rumbling in my chest when I inhale her.

“Fuck, you smell good.” The words are raspy; I’m just as breathless as she is. Her hips grind against my own, her heat making me pulse with want. My finger flicks over her nipple, the bud hard beneath the fabric of her shirt. Her whimper is barely there, a hitch to her breath more than an actual sound. I glance at her face and see her bottom lip snagged between her teeth. She’s suppressing the sounds she wants to make.

“Hey…” My voice is gruff with unmet want as I cup her cheek. She tilts her face up, blinking at me. “Are you alright?”

“Yeah…yes, I’m fine,” she husks out. She’s not. Her uncertainty is a whirlpool of desperation. Her emotions incoherent, and through it all, there’s self-doubt.

I pull away, our foreheads still touching, and look into her eyes. “Go to bed,” I tell her.

“I… What?” Her pupils are blown, her lips kiss-swollen…but her mind is a swirling mass.

“It’s late. You should sleep.” Lifting my hands, I untangle her arms from around my neck. I clasp both her hands, holding them between our chests. I press my lips to her knuckles, then step away.

“I don’t understand…”

“I have some details to go over before I head out tomorrow.” I drop her hands and turn away. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” I look over my shoulder as I walk to the door. “Your breakfast will be waiting…coffee – black.” I smile.

And then I leave.

Chapter 17

Casey

“Where is my mate?” I know I’m a bit wild-eyed as I storm over to where Jagger and Callum are talking in the team room, but I can’t help myself.

“And good morning to you too, Stone.” Jagger frowns as he straightens. The desk they’re hovering beside is littered with pages and notes. Callum shuffles paper around as Jagger turns to face me. “What’s this about?”

“Edirn…my mate!” I try to keep my voice steady. “He was gone when I got up this morning.” He may have been gone, but the coffee pot was steaming, and there was breakfast in the warmer for me. Has he been doing this just to melt my heart? Well, it’s working. “Where is he?” I press.

Jagger leans his hip against the desk and folds his arms over his chest. “He went out to meet Barrett this morning. I thought you knew.”

“I… I… We….” I trail off because it’s not as if he hadn’t told me. I’d just thought we’d get a chance to talk about…about…

Last night.

My skin still tingles as I think of his hands roving over me. I gnaw on the inside of my cheek, focusing myself. “When will he be back?”

“Who knows?” Jagger shrugs. Callum is looking at me curiously. “He’ll stay in touch and update us as things develop.”

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