Chapter 6

The air grew thick and heavy with warm steam as Jagger carried her through the narrow tunnel.

They emerged into a hidden cavern. A natural geothermal hot spring bubbled in the center, the water crystal clear and radiating heat. Bioluminescent ferns clung to the walls, casting a soft, ethereal blue glow over the water.

Jagger set Cora down on a smooth, flat rock at the edge of the pool. He pointed at the water.

Cora looked at her ruined clothes, then up at Jagger. He was standing there, arms crossed over his massive chest, watching her intently.

Heat rushed to her cheeks. She wrapped her arms around herself, biting her lower lip. She couldn't undress with him staring at her like a predator watching its next meal.

She gestured with her hand, silently begging him to turn around.

Jagger raised a thick eyebrow. The concept of modesty didn't exist for him. Mates didn't hide from each other. But he saw the deep flush on her face and the way she shrank into herself.

He let out a low, rough chuckle that vibrated in his chest. Slowly, he turned his back to the water.

Cora let out a breath she didn't know she was holding. She quickly unzipped the ruined hazard suit, peeling the stiff, filthy fabric off her skin.

She stepped into the hot spring. The hot water enveloped her aching muscles, and a soft, involuntary sigh escaped her lips.

The sound echoed in the quiet cavern.

Jagger's broad back went completely rigid. His hands curled into tight fists at his sides. The muscles in his neck strained as he fought the overwhelming, primal urge to turn around and drag her out of the water.

Cora didn't notice. She pulled the plant-fiber towel from her system inventory and began scrubbing the grime from her skin.

Under the hot water, the mud and dried blood washed away, revealing her pale, delicate skin. The heat brought a healthy, pink flush to her cheeks.

As she finished washing her hair, a sudden realization hit her.

Her hazard suit was destroyed. She had absolutely nothing to wear.

Panic flared. She sank deeper into the water, bringing her knees to her chest until only her head was visible.

"Jagger..." her voice trembled slightly. "I don't have any clothes."

He didn't turn around. "Wait," he grunted, his voice tighter than before.

He marched out of the cavern.

Cora sat in the hot water, the silence pressing in on her. Ten minutes passed. Then fifteen.

Heavy footsteps echoed in the tunnel. Jagger returned, his arms full, and immediately turned his back to the pool again. He tossed a bundle over his shoulder. It landed softly on the rock next to the water.

Cora swam to the edge and pulled the bundle down.

It was a massive, incredibly soft white animal pelt. But beneath it was something else.

It was a crude, makeshift skirt woven from thick, green vines and broad leaves.

Cora stared at it. The knots were messy, tied by massive fingers that were used to killing, not weaving. A hard lump formed in her throat. This terrifying, lethal beast had sat outside and clumsily tied leaves together just because she asked for clothes.

She quickly wrapped the soft white pelt around her torso, securing it tightly, and pulled the vine skirt over her hips. It was bulky, but it covered her.

She climbed out of the water, using the towel to squeeze the excess water from her dark hair.

"I'm done," she said softly. "You can turn around."

Jagger turned.

The moment his golden eyes landed on her, he froze.

With the mud and grime gone, her skin was luminous in the blue light. The white pelt clung to the curves of her breasts and hips, and the damp hair resting on her bare shoulders made her look impossibly fragile and breathtakingly beautiful.

Jagger stopped breathing.

The gold in his eyes flared, burning away all restraint. His chest he heave as a raw, possessive hunger took over his features.

He took a slow, heavy step toward her.