around his neck and pulled him to her. "You did nothing wrong, silly man. It's just funny to me that you can stare down the worst and most dangerous criminals this world has ever known. But, when I want to go take a shower and bask in the glow of being with my Mate for the first time by myself, you freak out like I just told you I’m headin’ off to parts unknown for forever and three days.”
“But, I…” Huffing out a breath with such force that his lips made an unintentional raspberry, Ranger shoved his hand through his hair and grumbled, “It’s just that… I mean, I… I can’t… I don’t…”
"You are just as crazy in love as I am?" She asked, her eyes big and her oh-so kissable lips curved in the best smile he'd ever seen. "You're afraid it might have all been a dream? That somehow, if we're not right by each other's side, the magic will wear off?"
Yeah," he nodded frantically. "How did you know? I feel like a teenager who just got to go to the prom with his first crush, and the evening's coming to an end, and I'll never see you again."
Laughing out loud, the sound reminiscent of the tiny silver bells Momma Barbara hung on the Christmas Tree every year, Ellie nodded. "Me, too. I promise me too. But this is all new to both of us. And, to be honest, I've never showered with anyone but Celia or another girl in the room. I mean, sure, there was gym class in high school and the dorm in college, but I still took the single stall and made sure the locker room was practically empty. I know that makes me…"
"Perfect," He breathed. "Absolutely perfect." Kissing her quickly, Ranger stretched back up to his full height, winked, and added, "But this is the last time I let you outta my sight. Deal?"
"Deal," she quickly agreed, complete with a single, sharp nod and a wink assuring him they were in it together.
Turning back towards the resort, Ranger picked up speed just a little, but only because he knew the quicker he got Ellie upstairs, the faster she would shower, and the sooner he would have her back with him. Opening the huge door, the glass etched with a gorgeous picture of the mountains just behind the resort, a Wolf standing on the very peak, howling at the full moon, he held it for Ellie, only letting go of her hand to make the door close all the way behind them.
Following the shining tile of the corridor around the backside of the Cave Bar, the Guardsman attempted to avoid any and all people. Making a beeline for the elevators. Ranger was so caught up in the feeling of Ellie's excitement and joy adding to his own, he almost missed the tall, thin man with slicked-back black hair and mirrored sunglasses whipping around the opposite corner like he owned the joint. Heading right towards them, an air of rage and malevolence all around him, the man didn't slow in the least or waver in his course, instead sped up and zeroed in on Ellie.
Picking his Mate up and swinging her to his other side, Ranger ended up with the stranger’s elbow in his ribs right on top of the scar left by the Chimera’s blade. Unconcerned about his own wellbeing, the Guardsman immediately turned to his Mate. Running his hands up and down Ellie’s arms, he couldn’t stop asking, “Are you alright? Did he hit you? Are you hurt? Are you okay? Are you sure he didn’t…”?
"Yes, I'm fine," she chuckled, the sound more forced than he liked, but still with a smile nonetheless.
"Are you sure?" Looking over his shoulder, trying to see where the rude stranger had gotten to, thinking about chasing him down, Ranger snapped his eyes back to Ellie and asked again, "Are you sure he didn't hit you? And that I wasn't too rough with you? I just had to get you out of the way of that asshole. I mean, he wasn't stopping, and who the hell wears sunglasses inside, not to mention, the sun's going down?"
Cocking a single eyebrow, Ellie tilted her head to the side and sassed, "You were a helluva lot rougher with me just a little while ago, and I quite liked it."
Laughing despite the situation and because once again his Mate had proven to be absolutely remarkable, Ranger opened his mouth to tease Ellie