Chapter 3

Chapter Three

H unter

The fire snaps, its glow casting shadows over the clearing. It's damn cold out here, and I watch Lark from the corner of my eye as she hugs herself tighter, trying to ward off the chill. She's wrapped up in my oversized jacket, but it's clear she's not built for this kind of cold. The flickering light makes her look small, almost fragile like a newborn bird—something she'd probably hate if she knew I thought that. But hell, there's no denying it. She's shivering like a leaf.

"Come closer to the fire," I say, my voice a low rumble that feels loud in the quiet of the night. "You're gonna freeze over there."

She hesitates, her eyes flicking toward me with that wary look she's been wearing since we set up camp. I try to keep my expression relaxed, easy. I know she's not used to trusting people, especially men who drag her through the wilderness. But she finally scoots a little closer, her body stiff, like she's ready to bolt.

"Better?" I ask, softening my voice just a bit. I don't want to scare her off.

She nods slowly. "Yeah… thanks."

The silence that settles between us is heavy, thick with all the words we're not saying. I sit on my bedroll, pretending to adjust my gear, but my eyes keep drifting back to her. The firelight catches the curve of her cheekbone, and the stubborn set of her jaw only makes her more interesting. There's a fire in her eyes too, one that's got nothing to do with the flames. I can't help but admire it.

"Why did you really help me?" Her voice is quiet, but there's a hardness there, like she's daring me to lie.

I pause, the question hitting deeper than I'd like. "I told you," I say slowly. "I know what it's like to feel trapped."

She studies me, her gaze sharp. "I could be lying to you. Could be leading you into a trap."

My lips twitch into a faint smile. "You think you're dangerous, huh?"

Her eyes narrow. "Maybe."

I lean forward, elbows on my knees, my voice dropping. "I think I can handle you, Lark."

She blinks, taken aback for a second, before her mouth curves into the hint of a smile. It's there and gone, but it's enough to send a bolt of heat straight through me. The fire crackles, and for a moment, it feels like we're the only two people in the world, wrapped in a cocoon of darkness and isolation.

I inch closer, closing some of the distance between us. "You should get some rest," I say. "Tomorrow's gonna be tougher."

She swallows hard, her throat working visibly. "I don't think I can sleep."

There's something raw in her voice, and it hits me like a punch. I want to comfort her, but I'm not sure she'd take it. Still, I can't stop myself. Reaching out, I cup her cheek with my hand. Her skin is cold against my rough palm, but there's a warmth beneath the surface.

"You're safe here," I say quietly, my thumb brushing over her cheekbone. "I won't let anything happen to you."

Her breath catches, her eyes fluttering shut for a second before they open again, wide and vulnerable.

"I believe you," she whispers.

The tension between us shifts, growing heavier. My hand lingers on her face, my thumb tracing a slow line along her jaw. Her skin is so soft, and I can feel her pulse hammering beneath the surface. My heartbeat kicks up, matching hers, and every rational thought slips away.

"Lark," I murmur, her name a rough rasp in my throat.

She leans into my touch, just barely, but it's enough. Enough to make my control slip. Her eyes are wide, searching mine, and I see the fear, the desire, the uncertainty. "I'm scared," she admits, her voice shaking. "But I don't want to be."

Something inside me snaps. I slide my hand to the back of her neck, pulling her close until our lips are just a breath apart. "Then don't be," I say, my voice a low growl. "Just for tonight."

She doesn't pull away. Instead, she tilts her chin up, her lips brushing mine. It's hesitant at first, testing the waters. But then she pushes closer, her mouth urgent, and I lose whatever shred of restraint I had left.

I crush her to me, the kiss turning desperate, wild. Her fingers tangle in my hair, and she's tugging me closer, like she's afraid I'll let go. My hands move to her waist, gripping tight, and I pull her onto my lap, feeling the heat of her body through layers of fabric.

"Hunter," she gasps, breaking the kiss for a second, her voice a mix of need and confusion.

I lean my forehead against hers, my breathing ragged. "Tell me to stop," I say, my voice hoarse. "If you want me to stop, just say the word."

Her eyes search mine, full of conflict. "I don't want you to stop," she finally admits, the words barely a whisper.

It's all the permission I need. I capture her mouth again, slower this time, but no less intense. My hand slides up her back, feeling the curve of her spine beneath my palm, and I shift us so that she's straddling me. The heat between us is unbearable, a roaring fire that threatens to consume us both.

But then reality crashes back in. I force myself to pull away, my forehead still pressed against hers. "We can't," I say, my voice thick with regret. "Not like this. Not when you're vulnerable."

Her breathing is ragged, her cheeks flushed, and there's a fierce light in her eyes.

"I'm not scared of you, Hunter," she says, her voice stronger now, filled with a strange kind of trust.

I clench my jaw, the raw honesty in her voice cutting deep. "I'm scared of myself," I admit, the words bitter on my tongue. "Scared of what I'll do if I lose control."

The confession hangs in the air between us, heavy with all the implications. Lark lifts a hand to my face, her touch gentle but firm. "Then don't lose control," she says, her voice steady. "But don't push me away, either."

I close my eyes, trying to gather the last shreds of my willpower. "You don't know what you're asking for, Lark."

Her chin lifts, defiance mingling with vulnerability. "Maybe I do," she counters softly.

The fire crackles beside us, a reminder of the warmth and danger all around. I let out a shaky breath, my hand dropping from her face as I put a bit of distance between us. "Get some sleep," I say roughly, my voice a mix of frustration and longing. "We've got a long day ahead."

She doesn't move right away, her gaze still locked on mine, searching. But finally, she shifts back onto her own bedroll, pulling the blanket tight around her shoulders. There's a small, almost hopeful smile on her lips, and it twists something deep in my chest.

I watch her for a long moment, my mind racing. The kiss still lingers on my lips, a promise of something more—something we're not ready for. Not yet. But the need is there, raw and burning, and I know this is just the beginning.

As the night deepens, the fire dying down to embers, I settle back on my bedroll, my eyes never leaving Lark's form. She's already asleep, her breathing slow and steady, but I stay awake, my mind replaying every moment. The desire, the fear, the warmth of her body against mine.

I know I'm in deeper than I ever intended. And as the wind whistles through the trees, I also know there's no turning back. Not anymore.