eatin', you can tell me the rest of that story if you want to. If not, that's okay, too."
Up on his feet with her in his arms, Ranger quickly agreed, "Whatever you want, but food first, please. I didn't realize how hungry I was until just this minute." Leaning his forehead to hers, he sighed, "I'm so sorry. You have to be starving, too. What a bonehead I am. I didn't even think…"
“Oh, hush,” Ellie snickered. “Just like you told me to stop putting myself down, I’m gonna tell you to stop bein’ so damned hard on yourself, ya’ hear?”
"Yes, ma'am," he barked just like she imagined he'd done when receiving orders all the years he was in the service.
“Good,” she winked, before snapping her fingers and instantly dressing them with one of the first spells she’d ever learned.
“Damn,” he marveled. “You are good! I’mma be scared of you after your Awakening.”
"Ha!" She laughed. "Celia taught me that spell when I was in fifth grade. I was always gettin' up late and makin' her almost miss the bus, so she made sure I could sleep till the last minute, and we'd still be on time."
“That is awesome.”
“Yeah, it really is,” she nodded before opening her eyes wide and laying her hands on his shoulders. “And you can put me down now.”
“Nope, not gonna do it. I plan to carry you all the way back to the resort, up to my room, and into my bed.”
“No way. You promised me a steak, and I plan to collect.”
"Okay, deal." Gently setting her on the ground beside him, putting his arm around her and pulling her close, Ranger dropped a kiss atop her head before starting to walk and added, "But then I'm taking you to bed, and I might never let you go."
Chapter Ten
Leisurely walking back to the resort, hand in hand with Ellie, Ranger thought of a million things he should say, how much he wanted her to come to his room… Hell to move into his room with him for the duration of their stay. To live with him for the rest of their lives. He was already dreading being without her for the hour or so it would take her to shower and get ready for their romantic dinner. What the hell was he going to do if she didn't spend the night with him?
“Pace the floor and keep me awake,” Carradoc grumbled, and Ranger pointedly ignored.
Opening his mouth and closing it again and again, sure she was hearing everything racing around his mind, Ranger finally sighed, "Oh, dammit, Ellie, just come to my room and shower and get ready. While you're in there, I'll move all your stuff across the hall. I just…"
"No." Giving him a knowing smile, she slowly shook her head then started to explain, her hands motioning one way and the other in the most adorable fashion. "I need to do all kinds of girlie things, and I also need just a few minutes alone to wrap my head around everything that's happened."
Stopping as she was still speaking, digging the toes of his boots into the mossy ground, Ranger spun towards his Mate and tugged on her hand for her to follow suit. The second they were face to face, he sputtered, "Wh-Wh-What do you mean? Are you...? Are you regretting what happened? Did I... Please tell me that I didn't push you into something you didn't want. Did you feel pressured? Have I…"
Still stammering and stuttering, words flying out of his mouth so quickly not even he was sure what he was saying, Ranger stopped midsentence and stared. There she was, the most beautiful woman in the world, the one person ever to be created who completed him in every way possible, and what was she doing? Standing perfectly still, her hand over her mouth, her eyes shining with pure happiness and an abundance of love, and her shoulders bouncing with laughter.
"What?!" He ground out through gritted teeth. Sure, he was overreacting. He was contemplating falling on his knees and begging her to forgive before he even knew his offense. Never imagining how much finding his Mate would screw with his control, his hard-fought focus, and everything else he'd always taken for granted as one of the Universe's Winged Warriors, he growled, "What is so funny? What did I do now? What…"
Dropping her hand and slowly shaking her head, Ellie shushed, "Hush, my love." Pushing up on her toes, she wrapped her free hand