Page 33 of Alaska Lights

“You don’t need to be nervous,” he informs. “I’m not going to hurt you. No one on this ranch will hurt you. You’re the safest you’ve ever been here.” His pinky stretches out, bumping into mine before he pulls it away, stealing a quick touch.

Maybe it was an accident. Plenty of people accidentally touch. I’m overthinking this. He isn’t interested.

Am I interested?

I’m going to drive myself insane. Being around Alaska is confusing me in every sense.

“I’ll be out of your hair soon.” Even as I speak the words, I hate them. They are like acid burning on my tongue.

I swear a growl sounds from him, and it stirs the lust in my blood.

I like that.

I want him to growl again.

A flash of him snarling into my ear while he is on top of me comes to mind, and I stumble backwards from how fast the thought hit me.

Alaska grips my shirt to stop me from falling, yanking me up to my feet, which brings our faces closer together. His hand stays fisted in my shirt, his eyes darting over my face, landing on my lips.

His breath is a phantom across my mouth, the warmth slithering its way down my throat as I inhale just to breathe him in.

We both freeze.

His eyes blaze like a hazardous warning, brighter at night and the color of danger. Alaska licks his lips, and I swear, I see two sharp points that resemble fangs in his mouth.

“You don’t have to be in a hurry to leave. You can stay for as long as you like.”

I gulp so hard, the swallow can be heard. “Did you know German chocolate cake was invented in Texas?” I want to kick myself.

“Was it? I’m not a big fan of chocolate.” He doesn’t release the hold he has on me. He tilts his head, his eyes still locked onto my lips.

“Me either.”

Alaska’s shoulders rise and fall with every heavy, deep breath he takes. His scent overwhelms me, and my knees become weak. My cock hardens in the sweatpants Soren gave me, a deep throb nearly causing me to whimper.

A loud neigh from the pasture breaks the spell between us. Alaska releases me, taking a small step back.

“Are you okay?” His voice is rougher, deeper, with a wicked edge.

“I’m fine. Thank you. For stopping me from falling. Again.” I know he was the one who dragged me from the plane before I fell over the cliff. I don’t know how he did it. It had to be adrenaline.

“Anytime. Every single time,” he says.

Butterflies invade my stomach, flapping around so much, my emotions are in knots.

Kiss him. Just do it. See how it feels. See how he feels.

My legs shake from holding myself back. I’m too nervous. Too afraid that I’m reading the signals wrong.

I yawn, covering my mouth with my fist. “Sorry. Excuse me. The day is catching up with me.”

“Makes sense. I don’t have any extra bedrooms, but you should take my bed. I’ll take the couch. I don’t mind. I don’t sleep that well anymore these days.”

“I couldn’t do that. It’s your house. You’ve already done so much for me. I really don’t mind sleeping on the couch.”

“You’re sleeping in my bed. End of story, Helios.”

“Leo,” I correct him with a playful tone, even going as far as slapping him on the chest.