Page 19 of Hunted

But then, something shifts in her gaze—a glimmer of defiance, of challenge. Squaring her delicate shoulders, she holds my stare, her chin tilting up in a wordless show of bravado.

A low growl rumbles in my chest as I drink at the sight of her newfound boldness.

Sinking down onto a nearby boulder, I stretch out my legs and make a show of getting comfortable while holding Zara's gaze with a heated intensity that leaves no doubt as to my intentions.

The game is afoot, and I’m a patient hunter, content to wait for the perfect moment to strike. Zara may put on a brave face, but we both know that she is utterly, inescapably mine. It's only a matter of time before the hunt reaches its inevitable, delicious conclusion.

Until then, I’m more than happy to savor every heated glance, every breathless gasp. The anticipation is half the thrill, after all.

So I watch and wait, secure in the knowledge that by the night's end, my sweet little bird will be thoroughly, irrevocably claimed.

11

ZARA

Irush into my bedroom, slamming the door behind me and pushing the bolt across. My heart is pounding so hard I can hear the blood rushing in my ears.

What the hell am I thinking?

Aksel is the most powerfully built, ruggedly handsome man I've ever seen. It's only natural I'm insanely attracted to him. But there's something unhinged about my host—something dark and dangerous lurking under the surface that I should run far away from.

Yet a traitorous part of me wants him to claim me, to introduce me to pleasures I couldn't even dream of. To finally, mercifully, rid me of this utterly embarrassing virginity at my age.

I shake my head, trying to dislodge the wanton thoughts. Stripping off my hiking gear, I toss it in the corner and purposefully dress in my most unappealing, frumpy clothes. A pair of baggy sweatpants and a loose, shapeless top. Anything to dampen Aksel's interest and my own arousal.

A heavy fist pounds on the door. "Zara? You okay in there?"

Aksel's deep voice slices through me like a hot knife. I shiver, hugging myself. "Y-Yes, I'm fine! Just changing."

There's a pause, then, "Don't make me come in there, baby girl."

The blatant threat in his tone makes my breath catch. I can picture his eyes narrowing, jaw clenched with impatience when I defy him. Taking a deep, steadying breath, I open the door. Aksel is leaning against the opposite wall, arms crossed over his chest. His eyes instantly rake over me from head to toe.

Despite the shapeless, unflattering clothes I'm wearing, his gaze darkens. It's as if he can see right through the fabric to my naked body underneath.

Heat blooms across my cheeks as I avert my eyes. “I’ve got to check over the data I collected."

Aksel pushes off the wall, stalking toward me. I instinctively back up until I'm flattened against the door frame.

He towers over me, so close I can smell the intoxicating blend of fresh pine, motor oil, and sheer masculinity. His eyes bore into mine with an intensity that made me feel stripped bare.

"You can try to hide that gorgeous body all you want, littlefugl," he rumbles, the Norwegian endearment rolling off his tongue. “But you can't hide the desire in your eyes when you look at me."

His calloused finger traces the curve of my jaw, raising goosebumps across my skin. I shiver, unable to tear my gaze away from his.

"I see how you react to me," Aksel murmurs, leaning in until his lips graze my ear. "I can sense your arousal every time I'm near you. It calls to me."

I can't stop the whimper that escapes my lips as his words send molten heat pooling between my thighs. This man has an otherworldly power over me that I can't resist, no matter how hard I try.

"I've made Lapskaus. It's a beef stew. I hope you're hungry."

I blink rapidly, trying to process Aksel's abrupt subject change. One minute, he's practically undressing me with his eyes and whispering sinful things; the next, he's talking about...beef stew?

A confused frown tugs at my lips as I nod slowly. "Uh, yeah. Lapskaus sounds great."

I clear my throat, attempting to gather my composure and revert back to my usual cheerful self. Squaring my shoulders, I offer him a bright smile. "I'm starving after that hike. I can't wait to dig in!"

Aksel's gaze doesn't waver as he studies me carefully. I resist the urge to squirm under his scrutiny. "Good," he rumbles. "You'll need to keep your energy up for later."

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