Snow crunched beneath Talia's boots as she stepped into Snow Park, breath misting white in the icy air. Midnight wrapped the world in a dim silver glow, the moon hanging low and impossibly bright. The Christmas lights around the park twinkled softly- pink, gold, white- casting a gentle shimmer over the benches and bare trees.
Talia hugged her pink coat closer, her heart beating too loudly inside it.
This was insane.
Completely insane.
She kept replaying the messages in her head ,his confidence, his teasing, the way he called her little bunny like he already knew how she'd respond.
She wasn't even sure what she expected.
Probably some guy who'd smile awkwardly and say, "LOL this is weird."
And then she'd laugh and shrug and go home, relieved and mildly embarrassed.
Perfect.
Reasonable.
Safe.
But the air didn't feel safe.
It felt… charged.
Like static.
Like someone watching.
She turned slowly in a circle.
The park was empty.
But she felt something.
A presence.
A heat behind her even though no one touched her.
She took a step forward, the snow whispering under her feet.
"You're early."
Talia yelped, spinning around so fast she nearly slipped.
He stepped out from the shadows between two pine trees, the moon catching the outline of his frame first, the powerful shoulders, the tall build, the way he moved like the night itself listened to him.
Her breath caught.
He looked nothing like the guy she prepared herself for.
He looked… dangerous.
And beautiful.
Black hair tousled by the wind.
A long coat that brushed his boots.
A slow, measured walk.
Eyes… God… those eyes glowed faint amber in the moonlight, sharp and assessing as they landed on her like she was prey he'd been following for miles.
Her knees wobbled.
Actually wobbled.
"You…you're WolfKing?" she managed.
He smirked at her tone.
A deep, dark curve of lips meant to provoke.
"Luka," he corrected, stopping just close enough for her to see the faint scruff on his jaw. "But you can call me wolf, if you'd like."
Her pulse jumped.
She forced herself to swallow.
"You… look different than I imagined."
"Disappointed?" he asked, stepping closer.
She shook her head wildly. "No! I mean… no. Just surprised."
"Good." His voice softened into something velvety. "I like surprising you."
Her cheeks ignited.
She hated how easy this was for him.
"I'm not usually this…" She waved her hands helplessly. "…this flustered."
"But you are," he murmured, lowering his head just slightly to look into her eyes. "And it's adorable."
She stepped back instinctively , just half a step.
His smirk deepened.
"Running already, little bunny?"
"II wasn't running"
He took a single step toward her.
She froze.
Her breath stopped.
Every part of her went warm.
"Careful," he murmured, tilting his head, "or I might start the chase early."
"I'm not a real bunny," she squeaked.
His eyes glimmered.
"You're soft," he said, voice dropping into a low heat.
"You're easily flustered."
"You get shy when I look at you too long."
"And you came when I called."
Her lips parted.
Holy hell.
This man was going to break her nervous system.
"I didn't come because you called," she whispered, though her voice betrayed her. "I came because… I don't know …Christmas spirit?"
He leaned In, face inches from hers, breath warm against her cheek.
"That's funny," he murmured. "Because I didn't come for Christmas spirit."
She stiffened.
He let the silence stretch… teasing, heavy, thick with implication before he stepped slightly to her side, brushing past her like smoke.
She felt the heat of his body without him touching her.
"I came for you."
Her heart thudded hard.
Luka began walking down the snow path, hands in his pockets, expecting her to follow.
For a full three seconds she couldn't move.
She was rooted to the spot, shaking in her boots, butterflies doing warfare in her stomach.
He glanced back over his shoulder.
Those eyes were unfair.
"Aren't you coming, little bunny?"
Her legs started working again.
She hurried after him, falling into step beside him …well, behind him, because he walked like someone who parted the world around him.
When they reached a small clearing decorated with strings of pink and gold lights, he finally stopped.
The air smelled of pine, cold frost, and something warm…him.
Luka turned to face her fully.
"You're nervous."
"I'm cautious," she corrected.
"Cute way to say nervous," he murmured.
"Stop calling me cute," she huffed.
"Can't," he answered simply. "You blush too easily."
He stepped closer again.
This time she didn't move.
She should have.
She knew she should have.
But the warmth rolling off him in the midnight cold was impossible to back away from.
He reached up slowly, as though giving her all the time in the world to pull away, and brushed a stray snowflake from her hair.
Talia forgot how to breathe.
His fingers didn't touch her skin and yet she felt it everywhere.
"So," he murmured softly, "are you still my little bunny tonight?"
Her lips parted without her permission.
"Maybe."
He smiled.
It wasn't sweet.
It wasn't innocent.
It was slow.
Predatory.
Pleased.
"Then I want to hear something," he whispered.
"H-hear what?"
He leaned down, mouth almost brushing her ear.
"Say you came for me."
Her entire body flushed head to toe.
She clutched her coat collar tighter.
"No."
"Hmm." His breath warmed the curve of her jaw. "Are you shy?"
"Obviously!"
He chuckled…a deep, smooth sound that slid down her spine.
"I like shy," he whispered. "Especially when shy girls try to act brave."
She stepped backward just one small step, to breathe again.
He let her.
But his eyes tracked her like she'd just moved deeper into his forest.
He waited.
Silent.
Expectant.
She wiped her palms on her coat, heart pounding hard enough to shake snow off trees.
"I came," she whispered finally, "because I was curious."
"About me?" he murmured.
"Yes."
"But not excited?" he teased lightly.
She opened her mouth.
Closed it.
Opened it again.
Luka's grin sharpened.
"That's a yes."
She groaned into her hands. "This is embarrassing."
"It's honest."
He gently took her wrists, not tight, not pulling, just lifting her hands away from her face so he could see her.
"And I like honest."
Her pulse skittered wildly beneath his fingers.
His touch didn't move downward.
Didn't roam.
Just held her wrists, warm and firm.
"I told you," he said softly. "I won't touch you unless you want it."
She nodded, breath uneven.
"But," he added, voice dropping lower, "I can stand close to you. Very close. As long as you don't walk away."
Her exhale shuddered.
Close?
He was already close.
How much closer
He stepped in.
Close enough for his coat to brush hers.
Close enough for her to feel the solid heat of him.
Close enough to smell pine and warm amber on his skin.
Close enough that her entire body reacted before her brain did.
"Better," he murmured, watching her pupils dilate. "Much better."
She felt like her bones had melted.
"What are you doing?" she whispered.
"Letting you feel me," he said simply. "Nothing more."
Nothing more.
But it was too much.
He released her wrists only to slide a knuckle under her chin, barely touching, just guiding her gaze up to his.
Her breath stilled.
"Talia."
Her name sounded different in his mouth.
Richer.
Deeper.
Far too intimate for someone she'd never met before tonight.
He lowered his voice.
"Tell me to stop."
She didn't.
She couldn't.
He studied her face, reading every breath, every shiver, every flutter.
"You don't want me to stop," he whispered.
"I didn't say that."
"You didn't need to."
She swallowed hard.
He brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, slow, deliberate, sensual.
"Your heart," he murmured, "is running."
"W-well, you're close."
"Do you want me to move?" he asked softly.
She shook her head.
"Good."
He dipped closer, his mouth still inches away from hers, breath warming her lips without claiming them.
"I like that you're nervous," he confessed.
"But I like that you're excited even more."
Her knees buckled.
He caught her waist gently…. hands firm but respectful, holding her upright.
She gasped, gripping his coat without thinking.
Luka exhaled softly above her ear.
"There it is," he murmured. "The way you hold on when you're overwhelmed."
"I am not"
"You are," he said, voice dark velvet.
"And it's beautiful."
Her thighs pressed together instinctively.
He noticed.
Of course he noticed.
His grip on her waist tightened just a fraction… steadying her, not pulling.
"Talia," he whispered, "do you want a taste of the chase?"
Her breath hitched.
She nodded before her brain caught up.
Luka's smile deepened.
Slow.
Dangerous.
Thrilled.
"Then turn around."
Her pulse jumped.
"What"
"Turn," he murmured.
"Not away from me. Just… turn."
She did.
Very slowly.
Facing the snowy path.
Her back to him.
The cold bit at her cheeks… but behind her, she felt heat.
Luka's hands didn't touch her.
But his presence did.
She felt him lean in, breath brushing the back of her neck.
"This is the part," he whispered, "where the bunny pretends she isn't trembling."
"I'm not"
"You are."
His breath warmed the shell of her ear.
"But it's not fear."
"It's anticipation."
Her eyes fluttered shut.
He didn't touch her.
Not yet.
He let the tension build.
Let it thicken.
Let it wrap around them like winter smoke.
"Talia."
She shivered.
"Mm?"
"If I took one step toward you right now…"
His voice sank lower.
"…would you stay still?"
Her breath broke.
"…yes."
He exhaled a slow, satisfied sound.
"Good girl."
Her legs nearly gave out.
He stepped closer, just one step but she felt it like a full body shiver.
No contact.
Still no touch.
Just proximity.
Predatory.
Controlled.
Patient.
He leaned in until his lips hovered at the back of her ear.
"Now you know," he murmured, "exactly what I meant… when I said I don't pretend."
Her heart thrashed against her ribs.
This man wasn't playing a character.
This was him.
All him.
Slowly, he touched her.
One hand… just… one at her waist.
A warm, firm hold that made her exhale shakily.
She wasn't prepared for how good it felt.
How safe.
How hot.
He pressed his forehead to her shoulder, breathing her in, but still keeping his touch chaste…intimate but not explicit.
"Do you want more?" he whispered.
She nodded, breathless.
"Say it."
Her voice cracked.
"I… I want more."
His hand tightened at her waist.
"Tomorrow night," he murmured. "Not tonight."
She blinked, turning her head toward him.
"What …why?"
"Because tonight," he whispered against her cheek, "I wanted to see if you would run."
"And tomorrow?"
He smiled against her skin.
"Tomorrow," he murmured, "I find out if you'll let me catch you."