She removed the ring from the protective pocket of her bag and took to it with a special polishing cloth.A golden-colored band studded with pale blue stones.She’d sorted the gems and chosen the ones that, in a different light, appeared almost green.To her, they symbolized Ransom’s dual nature and their pairing.
A faint groan emerged from the tent, and Scarlett tucked the ring away and went to investigate.Yes, he was waking.His eyelids flickered, and she turned away to pour a glass of water.Gryffnn had told them the sole side effect of the drug was thirstiness.
Finally, his eyes remained open, although tension rippled through his frame.Too late, she recalled that this abduction might bring bad memories for him.
“Ransom, are you thirsty?”Scarlett leaned forward so that he could see her.
“Scarlett?Where are we?”His face creased into a frown.“Is this a dream?”
A chortle burst from her.“Here, drink some water.”
Obediently, he accepted the beaker and drank every drop.
“Want another one?”
“Please.”He drank the second beaker of water.“Is this real?”
Scarlett grinned, reached over, and pinched his arm.“I’ve abducted you.”
“What?”
Scarlett edged closer.“Ransom, you’ve filled my thoughts from the moment we parted.I missed our conversations, our kisses, our lovemaking.”
“You said it was sex.”Accusation shaded his tone, but his expression told her nothing.
“I was wrong.It took me time to understand my feelings for you.For so long, my grand life plan has driven and stopped me from bad impulses.I was slow to realize you are the best thing that has ever happened to me.”Scarlett grasped his hand in hers.“If you don’t want a future with me, I’ll understand, but I didn’t wish to wonder any longer.Instead, my brothers helped me, so I had a chance to speak with you.”
“You abducted me.”
“Yes.”Scarlett lifted her chin.He wasn’t reacting in the way she’d predicted.“You kidnapped me first.I thought this was the perfect solution.”
Ransom hauled her into his arms, and a blink later, she lay beneath his hard body.“You haven’t left my thoughts,” he admitted.“My dragon wanted you from the instant we saw you stealing our property.”
“To be fair, I didn’t realize I was taking raw stones from your property.”
“I wanted you,” he said, his eyes glittering.
“Why didn’t you come to the resort?”
“I was working up to it,” he said.“How long have we got together?”
“A few cycles before my brothers expect my call.”
“Excellent.”Ransom kissed her.
Although she had more to tell him, it could wait.She curled her arms around his neck and held him closer, savoring his scent and leashed power.During their separation, he’d gained weight.She smiled against his lips.So had she.
A long time later, he parted their mouths.“What of your future?”
“I planned to start my business, selling and designing jewelry.I still want to do that, but I want you in my life, at my side.”
Ransom helped her to sit up and stripped off her tunic and bra.He divested her of her footwear and clothing before he scrambled from his garments.“Where are we?”
“Narenda.Gryffnn set up the camp for me.We’re camped in a clearing in the forest.It’s near a pond and a waterfall.”
“Ah.”Ransom smiled, his eyes glowing and his dragon half peeking through.He cupped her face.“Your eyes are still brown.”
“It’s startling seeing my reflection in the mirror.Feline shapeshifters always have green eyes.Now I stand out as different.”
