Page 42 of Stars in Halo

She found herself drawn to him in a way she hadn’t anticipated, his magnetic presence luring her into a web of desire and danger.

As they laughed and talked, a tiny warning gnawed at the back of Katya’s mind, a whisper telling her not to trust him.

But with each shared brush of their hands and every stolen glance, she pushed reason aside, caught up in the moment’s thrill.

When Xion leaned in, his breath warm against her ear as he whispered another tantalising anecdote, Katya almost lost it.

She was playing with fire, but she couldn’t resist the allure of the flames dancing over her skin.

The heat of his body radiated towards her, igniting a primal spark deep within her.

His words, laced with seduction and mystery, wrapped around her like a silk thread, pulling her closer to the edge of a dangerous precipice.

In that charged moment, the world encircling them faded into a blur.

It was like a shroud fell over their table, enclosing them from the occasional murmur of hushed voices from other tables, the sophisticated music, and the gentle tinkle of glassware nearby.

Katya made a decision.

With a suddenness that surprised her, she leaned in to meet Xion halfway, her lips brushing against his in a daring move that sent a shockwave through them both.

The kiss was electric, a collision of desire and deception that left them breathless. In that fleeting instant, all pretence and caution fell away, consumed by a hunger neither could deny.

They pulled back from each other, chests heaving, their eyes locked in a silent acknowledgement of the unspoken truths between them.

Katya’s pulse raced as she processed the gravity of what had just happened.

‘Fokk woman, what was that?’

She panicked at his growl and the narrowed set of his golden-jade gaze.

Until he leaned in and rasped under his breath, ‘Who the hell do you think you are, woman, making me feel what I don’t want to?’

His words sent frissons of need through her.

He reached a muscled hand, nabbed the back of her head and tugged her to him.

His lips crashed over hers in a punishing, writhing, heated exchange.

When he withdrew, leaving her panting, he growled. ‘I want to feel you all of Katya. Tonight.’

His rasp delivered a wave of craving through her.

Damn, he hit different.

The bar’s dim light cast shadows on his face, accentuating the intensity in his eyes. She could nearly touch the danger that radiated from him, a thrill coursing through her veins at the thought of what lay beyond this seductive facade.

When his other hand banded around her waist, and one long finger brushed the underside of her breasts, she almost combusted.

At that moment, Katya sensed she was teetering on the edge of something dangerous and intoxicating.

Her mind screamed at her to pull away, to resist the lure of Xion’s charm and magnetism. But her body betrayed her, leaning into his touch as if drawn by an invisible force.

The music faded into the background as they locked eyes, a silent challenge passing between them. Katya unravelled under his gaze, her walls crumbling in the face of this compelling energy.

He was burning for her.

She felt the same way, by the heaving chest, glowing skin gems and parted soft lips.

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