The forest outside Kane's house was still. The wind barely moved the trees, and the heavy clouds hung low like a ceiling pressing down on the earth. Kane Hanma sat by the window, shirtless, sweat still glistening faintly on his skin from a short burst of training. His muscles rippled subtly with each breath chiseled, coiled, alive.
He could feel her coming.
Not in sound, not in scent. In pressure. Like a heat rolling toward him in waves.
Alice.
A knock at the door. Three deliberate taps. Light. Feminine. Intentional.
Kane smiled to himself.
She'd finally bitten the bait.
He opened the door.
And there she was.
Alice Cullen. Framed by the darkening sky, golden eyes glowing beneath her hood, lips parted just slightly. Her scent hit him like a spark faint, flowery, cool but it made something primal twitch in his chest. She wasn't like the others. There was softness in her curves, but steel in her stare.
He let his eyes wander for half a second longer than polite, less than vulgar.
Just enough to make her notice.
Just enough to make her wonder.
"You're not surprised," she said, stepping inside without waiting for an invite.
"I expected you sooner," Kane said, closing the door behind her. "You were watching me all day. Thought you'd come running."
Alice turned, one brow raised. "You think I'm that predictable?"
"No," he said, his voice lower now, slower. "I think you're that curious."
She studied him in the dim light. His bare torso, the way his abs tensed as he leaned casually against the wall. Her eyes flicked lower before returning to his face quick, but not quick enough to go unnoticed.
Kane caught the look.
And smirked.
"You didn't come here just for answers," he said.
Alice arched an eyebrow, her arms folding under her chest, pressing her cleavage just a little higher through her fitted coat. "Then what did I come for?"
Kane pushed off the wall and walked past her deliberately close, enough to make her turn slightly to track him. The warmth of his body, the sheer weight of him, was magnetic.
"You came because you feel it," he said, circling behind her now, his voice almost a whisper near her ear. "The pull. The friction. You don't know what I am, but part of you doesn't care. Part of you just wants… more."
Alice didn't turn.
But her breathing slowed. Still unnecessary, still for show but it was there.
"You're cocky," she murmured.
"No," Kane said, stepping in front of her again, his eyes locked to hers. "I'm honest. I just don't pretend this isn't happening."
He let the silence build between them like pressure under glass.
The way her golden eyes flicked to his chest again.
The way she licked her bottom lip subtle, but instinctual.
She wanted to deny it.
But he could feel it.
Desire.
Not just for answers. Not just for danger.
For him.
"I can feel your heartbeat," Alice said, but her voice wasn't accusing anymore. It was husky. Intrigued.
"Want to come closer?" Kane offered, stepping back just a little, teasing.
Her jaw tensed.
Then relaxed.
She took one step forward.
Then another.
Close now. So close her hand nearly brushed his.
Kane reached out slowly, deliberately and ran his fingers just barely along her wrist. Cold, like marble, but smooth. Her skin didn't recoil.
"You're not afraid of me," she whispered.
"I want you to be," he murmured, stepping closer until their faces were inches apart. "But not too much."
Alice tilted her head, golden eyes flickering.
"You're dangerous."
"I'm worse than that."
"I should leave."
"You won't."
She didn't.
Kane leaned down, his lips brushing close to her ear, his breath warm against her skin.
"When you figure out what you really want," he whispered, "come back after dark. Alone."
Alice exhaled softly, a sound that wasn't quite a sigh. Then she stepped back reluctantly and turned toward the door. Her movements were slower this time, more fluid. Her hips swayed a little more as she walked away.
She opened the door, then looked back at him over her shoulder.
Eyes smoldering.
Smile faint.
Words soft.
"You might regret saying that."
Kane grinned, teeth sharp, his voice low and promising.
"I never regret what I want."
And then she was gone vanished into the twilight.
But Kane knew she'd be back.
And next time, there'd be less talk.
More tension.
Maybe even something dangerous.