Page 23 of Stars in Nova

He lingered waist-deep, his sinewed frame juxtaposed against the shimmering surface like a sculpture come to life.

A radiance danced across his skin, illuminating the intricate network of meta-black and glowing green tattoos, which pulsed and were alive with meta-kinetic energy.

Each curve of his muscles, honed from years of combat, seemed to catch and hold the light. The ridges of his torso gleamed as droplets clung to his sinewed chest and shoulders.

His posture was commanding, as if he owned the water he stood in.

The shadows, untouched by the underground illumination lining the lake, cast soft patterns on his face. They didn’t diminish the striking sharpness of his jaw or the cleft of his chin.

His black hair, damp and tousled, fell in loose strands around his face, framing those viridescent eyes that always seemed to penetrate straight through her.

Samira’s breath hitched as his gaze lifted, locking onto hers.

The liquid’s glimmer reflected in his irises, lending them an otherworldly glow that caused her heart to stutter.

He didn’t smile, but there was a softness in his expression—a quiet vulnerability that she sensed he rarely allowed to show.

It made her chest tighten and her pulse rate rise.

Her fingers itched to trace the planes of his arms, their sinewy strength evident even in repose.

The way the fluid rippled against his hips, teasing at the edges of his black shorts pants, sent a warm flush to her cheeks. She tore her gaze away, embarrassed by her thoughts, only to find herself drawn back to him.

Kisan tilted his head, the slightest smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.

‘Am I that interesting, Samira?’ he growled, his voice like gravel smoothed by time.

Her entire body lurched, and she bit her lip to stop the surge of desire that shot through her.

His eyes fell to her mouth.

‘More than interesting,’ she said.

‘Is that so?’ He swam closer, the water parting around him. ‘Because from where I’m standing, the view is spectacular.’

Fokk, he was built to be taboo.

The richness of his timbre sent a shiver down her spine, but she lifted her chin, refusing to let him see how much he affected her.

‘You’re not bad yourself for a brooding meta with a history.’

‘Not bad?’ He stopped just before her, his presence filling the space between them.

The scent of the lake clung to him—clean and earthy, mingling with the spice of his skin.

His hand reached out, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face, the calloused warmth of his fingertips lingering against her cheek. ‘I’ll take it.’

Her heart surged as she gazed up at him.

His beauty was almost too much up close, with the stark angles of his face softened by the quiet intensity in his eyes. This man, forged in battle and scarred by his past, carried a depth that intimidated and captivated her.

‘You’re staring,’ he murmured, his smirk deepening.

‘Maybe I like what I see,’ she shot back, her voice steady despite the flutter in her chest.

Kisan chuckled, hoarse and rich, the sound vibrating through her. ‘The sentiment’s mutual.’

They locked eyes until she sunk back slowly into the water, the ripples between them carrying an unspoken tension.

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