am,” he stopped midstride. Flames flashing in his eyes, he growled, “For you.”
Chapter Eight
Feeling her confusion but loving her excitement and that she was keeping up with his hurried pace, Ranger thought about going up to his room, but that wasn’t good enough. Everything had to be special, perfect. He wanted to see his beautiful Mate among the flowers.
Heading straight for the meadow where he’d arrived, the Guardsman reassured, “You’re gonna love this. It’s so peaceful, so…”
“Tranquil and full of flowers?” Ellie giggled, the sound making him feel as if he could fly without his wings.
“How do you know where we’re going?”
“Let me ask you…”
Her smile was brilliant. It was the expression Ranger wanted on his Mate's gorgeous face every minute of every day for the rest of forever. He would do whatever it took to keep her smiling. Nothing less would do.
“Is it the meadow with the Fairies and Pixies? And is it where you arrived yesterday?”
Stopping so quickly, Ellie ended up in his arms, Ranger thought about kissing her right then and there. However, he had to find out how she knew where they were going first. "Yeah," he drew out the word. "Are you Psychic, too? Or did you feel our Mating Bond strengthen before I did?"
Shaking her head, her expression mischievous and sexy and so damned alluring it took all his considerable control not to slam his lips to hers and worry about talking later, his spectacular Mate tapped her nose and winked. “The nose always knows.”
“You recognized my scent?” He was amazed and didn’t try to hide his flash of manly pride that his one true love already knew him by aroma alone.
Swatting his chest while making a show of being put out, complete with the sassy roll of her eyes, Ellie scoffed, "Of course, I knew, but Angelica said you weren't a registered guest. So, I figured I was wrong, but now I know that she wasn't messing with me. You didn't have a regular reservation. You're a VIP." She bounced her shoulders and teased, "You're friends with the big boss."
Loving that she was so relaxed and playful but needing information, he suspiciously inquired, “Angelica?” He had to know. Had to be sure someone wasn’t trying to lure Ellie into a trap.
Another slap to his shoulder followed by yet another eye roll, this one with the addition of a tsk, and his Mate playfully scoffed, "Chill out, Super Dragon. Angelica is another Witch. She's one of Celia's oldest and best friends. I've known her since I was a little girl."
“Oh.”
"Yeah, oh. Ang is the Front Desk Manager here at the resort, and the reason I got a reservation during such a busy time."
"Well, thank the Heavens." Lifting Ellie off the ground and spinning her around, Ranger let every emotion he felt out in the open for Ellie to see. He wanted her to know without the slightest doubt how much she meant to him and to be sure that he would never leave her again.
Stopping his spin and taking off, Ranger sprinted as fast as his feet would carry them, drinking in his Mate's excited giggles and thrilled oohs and ahhs. Having her in his arms, feeling how happy she was, and knowing that she'd missed him as much as he missed her, almost made the last four-and-a-half months’ worth it…but just almost.
Racing into the meadow, Ranger came to a halt at the very center. Letting Ellie slowly slide down his six-foot-five-inch frame, he stopped her downward descent only when he looked into her eyes. "Do you have any idea how very much you mean to me?"
Barely able to catch his breath as she gently laid her hands on his face and leaned her forehead to his, Ranger was sure he’d died and gone to the Heavens when Ellie whispered, “Not near as much as I love you.”
Unable to resist the allure of his Mate any longer, Ranger slammed his lips to hers. Their kiss was raw passion and ultimate possession, full of teeth and tongue and passionate aggression. He pulled her so tight to his chest that they almost became one. He wanted them to be one. Had to make it happen as soon as possible. The Guardsman needed to brand his Witch, to make sure she never doubted who she belonged to and more importantly…. who belonged to her.
The world needed to see that Ellie McLeish was Ranger Evans' Mate, and that was all there was to it. And, thank the Universe