Page 11 of Primal Snow

“Good,” he says, peeling off his layers to his boxers before slipping into the tub. He spreads his muscled arms against the edge, his head lolling back, eyes closed as he relaxes. “Oh yeah. This was most definitely an excellent idea.” He lets out a deep sigh before looking up at me with a smirk. “Come here.”

I take another hefty sip, then put the bottle down on the small patio table. Slowly, I undress, watching him watch me with darkening eyes. Once I’m exposed down to my bikini, I step inside and the hot water envelops me like a much-needed hug. Chase’s arms follow next, pulling me onto his lap in a tight embrace, with my back leaning against his firm, sculpted torso.

For a while, we just sit there, letting the heat melt away the cold. The blizzard hasn’t started yet, but the snow falls steadily now, softening theedges of the wilderness around us. The fairy lights and water jets set the mood, and I must admit how magical the moment is. Enough to make me forget and let myself enjoy this.

“You know,” Chase rasps, his voice low and careful, his lips wandering down my neck, “if you’re scared, we don’t have to do anything. I mean it, Emma. I don’t want you to feel pressured.”

His words take me by surprise, and my chest tightens with emotions. I shift sideways to look at him. The way the water beads on his broad shoulders. The way his hair, slightly damp from the steam, sticks to his forehead. The way his pupils dilate as he meets my gaze.

He's so stupidly dreamy.

And yet, here he is. Patient, understanding, and willing to wait as long as I need. His words make my heart ache, and I close my eyes for a second, letting go of any lingering unease.

“I’m not scared,” I say softly, my head falling against his pec. “At least, not about that.” It’s possible that it was just my subconscious making things up. But I have no doubts anymore. He’s worth it—the perfect guy to lose my virginity with.

His lips curve into a smile, and before I can second-guess myself, I kiss him.

The tension that’s been building between us for weeks finally snaps, and the kiss turns almost desperate. His arm tightens around my waist while his other hand slides across my leg—from my angle to my thigh. The water swirls around us, the heat and closeness making my head spin in the best way.

Not breaking the kiss, I shift again, mounting his lap, and I lose myself in him. In the way he touches me, the way he moans quietly against my lips, the way his body tenses underneath me.

His hands slide to my back, pulling me closer, then trail up along my spine, leaving a path of fire in their wake. I find myself leaning into him, and for the first time since we got here, the world around us completely disappears.

There’s no snow, no trees, no footprints. Just Chase and me, the bubbling water, and the heat between us.

His fingers tangle in the strings of my bikini top, and he pauses, watching for any signs of hesitation. But I don’t stop him—I meet his eyes and give the slightest nod. He undoes the ties, and the skimpy fabric drifts away in the whirlpool of jets.

“You’re so fucking hot,” he whispers as his eyes fixate on my boobs. His hands follow immediately, cupping the firm flesh and rolling my nipples between his fingers. “See? Told you I’d keep you warm.”

I laugh gently, shaking my head, but it’s cut short. My head tingles as he presses his lips to my throat, leaving a path of kisses down to my heaving chest.

“Mmmm, baby,” he groans, reaching my breast, and I feel his hard dick pressing against my aching pussy. His tongue slowly circles my stiff peaks, and my breath catches as I instinctively grind against him.

Yet, something changes. I feel it again—that prickle. The eyes on me. I try to ignore it as the sensations Chase is stirring in me are intoxicating. But the sound comes next. Low. Guttural. A deep rumble… or a growl?

I pull back slightly, my eyes darting toward the dark woods beyond the patio. The snow falls thicker now, the trees barely visible in the suffocating white haze, but the feeling is unmistakable. Something is right there, prowling.

“Em?” Chase’s voice is concerned, though he’s too excited to pick up on the unhuman sound—even though it’s getting louder by the second.

It’s just your imagination, I tell myself.Just the wind, just the snow.

But the air grows colder—not the gentle chill of the falling snow, but something sharp, biting, wrong. A shadow appears at the edge of my vision, and my stomach drops.

“Chase—”

Before I can finish, something massive, white, and horrifying lunges from the darkness, its animalistic growl reverberating through the icy air.

Chapter 6

Claws.

Huge, jagged claws pierce through Chase’s back, punching out his chest right below his lungs. The sound is wet. Sickening.

The thing behind him—the monster—lifts him effortlessly, its claws still embedded in his body like lethal hooks.

I’m paralyzed, my scream caught in my throat as his eyes widen in shock… and pain. Blood splashes onto my face, hot and sticky, dripping down onto my bare chest.

“Ch—Chase!” I choke, reaching for him, but he doesn’trespond. The only sound leaving his throat is gurgling. Frozen in place, I watch as his eyes lose the light.

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