Page 78 of Tempest Awakening

I watched her reaction carefully, searching for any sign of what she thought of him. The way her breath caught at his name, theslight tensing of her shoulders—it sparked a jealousy I hadn't expected.

Tess stiffened, her hands clenching at her sides. "We... we haven't had our first session yet. But it's fine. I'm sure he knows what he's doing."

She's nervous. Uncertain. We should be the one guiding her. Touching her.

I paused, standing uncomfortably close to her. The scent of vanilla and spice filled my senses, making my head spin. I fought the urge to bury my face in her hair, to taste her skin.

"Because I worry, Tess," I said, my voice husky with restrained desire. "There are those in the guild who aren't happy about a human bonding with a dragon."

Fear flashed in her eyes before she masked it with anger. The rapid beating of her pulse at her throat captivated me. "What do you mean? What do you know?"

She needs to understand the danger. But we can't tell her everything. Not yet. Not until she's ours.

"Enough to know you should be careful," I replied, my gaze locked on hers. "The trial ahead of you... it won't be easy."

Frustration colored her voice as she demanded, "Then tell me! Stop with these vague warnings and just tell me what's going on!"

I shook my head, reaching out to brush a strand of hair from her face. She flinched at the contact, but didn't pull away. The softness of her skin under my fingertips sent a jolt through me, my shadows writhing in response. I could feel my control slipping, desire and protectiveness warring within me.

We want to tell her everything. To keep her close, keep her safe. To claim her.

"I can't," I said softly, my fingers lingering near her cheek. My gaze dropped to her lips, remembering how they felt against mine in that stolen moment days ago. "Knowing too much could put you in more danger. Trust me, I'll handle it."

"Trust you?" Tess scoffed, her voice rising. She ran a hand through her hair. "I don't know what to trust anymore. Everything's changing so fast, and now you're here with your cryptic warnings. Why? Why do you even care?"

There it is. Finally.

The sight of Tess, eyes blazing, cheeks flushed, sent a surge of heat through my body. Her suppressed emotions were finally breaking through, and it was intoxicating.

"Why do I care?" I echoed, stepping closer. The air between us crackled with tension. "Because you're important, Tess. More important than you realize."

Her eyes flashed. She stepped closer, her finger jabbing my chest with each word. "Stop. With. The. Cryptic. Answers." Her voice rose, filling the small room. "If I'm so important, then tell me what's going on!"

Her finger burned through my shirt, branding my skin. The scent of her anger, spicy and intoxicating, filled my nostrils. Her chest heaved with each breath, mere inches from mine. My control, already frayed, snapped like a taut wire.

My hand shot out, fingers encircling her wrist. In one fluid motion, I yanked her to me, my other hand tangling in her hair. Our lips crashed together, teeth clashing before finding their rhythm.

Tess went rigid, a small gasp escaping into my mouth. For a heartbeat, the world stood still. Then, like ice melting in the sun, she softened against me. Her fist bunched the fabric of my shirt, nails scraping my chest as she pulled me closer.

As we kissed, I felt the tension in her body transform. All the overwhelm I'd noticed earlier, the stress she'd been carrying, seemed to pour into the kiss, morphing into raw desire. It was as if she was finally allowing herself to feel something else, to channel her frustration and fear into this moment of passion.

The taste of her exploded on my tongue—sweet with a hint of the apple she'd eaten earlier. Her lips, soft yet demanding, moved against mine with a fervor that matched my own. The heat of her body seeped through our clothes, igniting a fire in my core.

Nothing existed beyond this moment, beyond the soft curves pressed against me, the quiet whimper that escaped her throat, the silky strands of hair twined around my fingers.

Suddenly, Tess wrenched away. She stumbled back, her hand flying to her lips. Her eyes, wide and wild, locked onto mine. Her chest rose and fell rapidly, matching my own ragged breathing. A flush painted her cheeks, spreading down her neck and disappearing beneath her collar.

"What was that?" The words tumbled out, breathless. She shook her head, as if to clear it. "You can't just...What are you doing? You have no reason to interfere in my life like this."

My shadows pulsed and swirled, reaching for her. A growl rose in my throat, primal and possessive.

"You're wrong," I snarled, the words rough and raw. "You're our mate."

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