Page 51 of Hell Storm

At the mention ofwhat happened after,I felt a surge of warmth pass through my chest where her head had rested. That is, until reality crept in and whisked her away.

“You may as well tell me, Love. It’s not like there’s anyplace to run,” I teased, gesturing around the confined space.

That hint of a smile was back again, curving fleshy, pink lips upward at one corner. Her hair swayed when she shook her head.

“It wasn’t about the seizure, but … you did getonething right,” she confessed, piquing my curiosity.

“Tell me,” I pressed.

So much emotion swam in her eyes when she dared to look at me. Her fair skin tinted red, bringing life to her cheeks.

“You pointed out that there’s no place to run. Because we’retrappedhere,” she explained, making things clearer with the utterance of one word. “Together.”

That redness in her cheeks blossomed and I finally understood. At least IthoughtI did.

“So, you’re saying you find being here with me … difficult?”

Her deep stare was locked on mine for a moment until she blinked. “What? I … no,” she stammered. “It’s just that, since we bonded I feel…”

“Does the word ravenous describe it?” I interjected, unable to contain a laugh.

I had her attention a moment longer, and then lost it when those beautiful eyes nearly rolled to the back of her head.

“I only meant that things could get weird in here between us. You know, being locked up for so long,” she sighed. “Assuming whoever’s behind this whole thing doesn’t intend to off us sooner rather than later.”

She tossed her hair back, and the maneuver was so casual.

“And that doesn’t frighten you? The idea of being killed here?”

Her full lips pursed together, and I had to admit that my imagination might have gotten away from me, but only for a moment.

“OfcourseI’m scared. It just won’t do me any good to hide in the corner, crying. My head needs to be clear in case an opportunity presents itself. Fear is one of many distractions we can’t afford.”

Right then, when she implied there wereotherdistractions here in this room, her pulse quickened, throbbing like a drum at the base of her throat. I didn’t doubt for a second that our chemistry was one such distraction. It was thick and stifling, nearly coming to a head in my bedroom the night we lingered in front of the fireplace. Even before the Claiming, the pull between us—though maddening at times—had been present.

I’d gotten under her skin from the beginning. It wasn’t unusual for my crassness and arrogant nature to rub people the wrong way, so I wasn’t surprised when Corina took to me in the same manner. Only now, the frustration I filled her with wasn’t the sort that made her want my head brought to her on a platter.

It was the sort that made her want to lash out in other, far more satisfying ways.

She didn’t have to say it, I had a knack for sensing a woman’s needs, and Corina was no exception to that rule.

I stared at the pulsation in her throat, knowing it matched the quick, erratic beating of her heart. She covered her mouth when a yawn slipped out and I was reminded of the poor night’s sleep she’d gotten. I watched her toss and turn from my post near the door. Dark circles beneath her eyes told of her exhaustion.

“You should nap,” I suggested. “I’ll keep watch again.”

“I’m fine,” she replied with distorted words as another yawn slipped past her lips.

“Nonsense. You need rest.”

Her head was shaking before I even finished the statement. “I don’t disagree with you, but I’m too wound up to eventhinkabout sleep.” Her gaze drifted toward the bucket resting in the corner, and she breathed deep. “A nice, hot bath would’ve calmed me right down, but I suppose I can kiss those goodbye.”

The hint of a smile ghosting on her lips opened the door for questions.

“Is that the only thing you were going to dread leaving behind if you’d succeeded last night? If you’d gotten away from us?”

It was a forward thing to ask, but I decided to risk it.

Those beautiful eyes of hers rolled to the back of her head again. “Listen, I know we’ve all got this mess of feelings swirling around inside us, but …” She paused, pushing a hand through her hair. “None of it is real. I mean, if it weren’t for this … process, can you be so sure you wouldn’t have killed me without asking questions when you found me in the woods?”

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