Page 81 of Fated

“It’s so beautiful,” I whispered.

“The most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”

His voice was low, and I could feel the weight of his gaze on me as he said it.

I glanced at him, our eyes meeting with an intensity that had me dropping my head as a shy smile formed. He leaned in, closing the space between us, resting his arm behind my back. Together, we watched in silence as the sun slipped beneath the horizon, leaving only the faintest sliver of light beneath an emerging star-speckled sky.

Once the sun had completely disappeared, Ash jumped to his feet, grabbing my hand, and pulling me up with him. His grin was downright devilish as he yanked his shirt over his head and tossed it carelessly into the sand.

“What are you doing?” I laughed.

“Swim with me, Areya,” he said, before darting out toward the water.

A knot of nerves twisted in my stomach, but wasn’t I tired of holding back? Tired of fear ruling me?

Before I could second-guess myself, I pulled the coral sundress over my head, letting it fall beside his shirt in the sand.

Underneath, I wore a hot pink bra and matching lace underwear. Apparently, the new magical river inside me also came with a newfound sense of courage because never in a million years would I have imagined stripping down to my underwear to follow a guy into the ocean.

But that’s exactly what I did. And as I was beginning to learn, I’d follow Ash to the end of the world and beyond.

He had already waded into the water but when he turned, his expression shifted. Surprise flickered in his eyes as he watched me approach.

Fighting the urge to run and hide, I kept walking, closing the distance between us. His eyes darkened, becoming as deep and intense as the night sky, brimming with unrestrained hunger as they roamed over every inch of my body. A thrill coursed through me at the realization of the effect I had on Ash—this beautiful, dangerous predator, utterly captivated and completely at my mercy.

“Fuck, Areya,” he muttered, running a hand through his hair as he paused waist-deep in the water.

A wicked smile curled on my lips.

“Don’t look at me like that,” he warned.

“Or what, Ash?” I challenged, feeling a surge of boldness I couldn’t quite explain.

All I knew was that I wanted him to need me as much as I needed him. Taking a single, teasing step closer, I fluttered my eyelashes innocently.

“You’re playing with fire,” he warned again.

My smile only grew wider, accompanied by a giggle.

“You really wanna play games, Areya?” A feral gleam lit his features as he locked eyes with me, his gaze sharp and possessive like that of a predator stalking its prey.

My body tensed, and my pulse raced under the weight of his gaze.

“You better run, Areya,” he growled, his voice low and dripping with promise. “You better fucking run because when I catch you …”

Before I could process his words, he lunged.

I shrieked, splashing water in his face before I ran like hell.

But he was on me in an instant, his arms wrapping around me from behind. My giggles morphed into breathless squeals as I tried—and failed—to wiggle free from his grip.

“Not so brave now, are you?” he whispered into my ear, his breath sending electricity down my spine, making every tiny hair on my body prickle to life. His tongue flicked playfully against my ear, igniting sensations that made me freeze in his arms. Slowly, he lowered his mouth to my neck, his fangs grazing my skin in a way that made my breath hitch.

“I don’t think you know what you want, Areya,” he purred, his lips brushing my skin, sending heat racing through me. His fingertip traced a slow deliberate path down the curve of my body, making me arch instinctively against him.

“Don’t …” he murmured, pressing soft kisses to my neck.

“Tempt …” Another kiss landed on my chin.

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