Chapter 17 A Capture After All #2
“I love you, Ransom,” she whispered before her lips teased the pad of flesh at the base of his neck. He groaned, his hips flexing and driving his cock deeper.
Scarlett finally understood the possibilities and the freedom in loving another being this much. As the beginning prickles of her climax started, she bit down until she tasted Ransom’s blood. With the stroke of her tongue, she lapped away the coppery lifeforce and felt the wound stitch together.
Ransom cried out, stroked into her twice. She shattered, and something clicked inside her mind. Togetherness. Seconds later, Ransom climaxed, his big body shaking with the force of his passion. Both of them were breathless as Ransom rolled onto his back and draped her over his chest.
“That was amazing,” he whispered. “The moment you bit down. It both hurt and shoved pleasure through me.”
“Let me see.” She parted their upper bodies to study the mark she’d given him. “Oh. I wasn’t sure if it would stay. You have a tiny black cat tattoo now.”
“The dragon bond locked into place,” Ransom whispered. “We belong to each other.”
“We mind-speak!”
“We did before.” Satisfaction filled his words as they popped into her mind. “You’re a better conversationalist than the prince.”
Scarlett shuddered. “Please don’t say that, even in jest. Fancy a swim, or are you hungry?”
“A swim then food.”
Scarlett nodded and rolled off him. Once they were both standing, she stroked the tiny black cat tattoo.
Ransom shuddered and released a moan. “If you keep doing that, we won’t reach the pond.”
Laughing, Scarlett wove her fingers with his, and they ambled toward the pool.
“The water looks refreshing.”
“Refreshingly cold,” Ransom said.
“Is it deep enough to jump?”
“It is.”
“Together?”
“I love the sound of that,” he whispered.
So they jumped.
“Oh!” Scarlett shrieked, popping up. “That is freezing.”
“The water comes directly from the mountains.”
“Luckily, I have hot food and cold. We can warm up in the whitelight’s heat.” Scarlett swam the length of the pond and back. “I’ve had my swim.”
Ransom laughed, and she loved the glimpses of his dragon and his natural humor.
“I have something to tell you,” she blurted. Her pulse raced because even though they were mates, she wasn’t sure of how he’d take this news. “And something for you.”
“A gift?”
She nodded. Weren’t children a gift?
“All right. Let’s dry off and warm up,” he said. “Then you can tell me.”
Scarlett produced the robes Kaya had suggested, and once dry, she slipped into the warmth with gratitude. She’d liked Gryffnn and his mate. Soon her hands cupped a mug of warm soup, and she could no longer dither.
“I made you something.” She set aside her cup to open her jewelry equipment bag and pulled out the ring she’d made for him.
“On Earth, it is a tradition to exchange rings. It is a physical sign to non-shifters that one has a mate. Hold out your left hand.” Scarlett slid the band onto his ring finger.
“It’s stunning,” Ransom said, and his sincerity shone through.
“I have a necklace I created for you. It’s in my chamber.
But meantime, I give you dragon words of joining.
I promise to love you and our children. I will honor you and care for you in sickness and in health.
You are the mate of my heart, and with you at my side, I am the luckiest dragon on Narenda. ”
Tears stung her eyes as emotion squeezed her heart. “Have you thought about children?”
“When you’re ready. When we’re both ready. I might visit Viros to see if there is a market for our jewelry.”
“Viros,” she whispered.
“I would take my mate with me. The royal family has invited me to stay at the castle. What do you say?”
“I’d enjoy that very much.” Scarlett nibbled her bottom lip, nervous about telling Ransom of her pregnancy, her belly swirling with her anxiety. Or it could be the dreaded morning sickness thing. She grabbed a dry biscuit and nibbled on it. When she glanced up, Ransom was studying her in concern.
“What’s wrong?”
“I must tell you something, and your possible reaction worries me.”
“We are mates.” He tapped the mark she’d given him. “I wear your mark, and the goddess has seen fit to bestow us with a mating bond. Whatever it is, we will deal with the problem together.”
“I’m pregnant,” Scarlett blurted.
Ransom blinked. He stared at her.
“Did you hear me?”
“Pregnant, but how?”
She wrinkled her nose. “The normal way. We made love, and during the fun process, a reaction started.”
“I know how to make babies,” Ransom said.
Surely, he didn’t think she’d slept with another! “It’s yours.”
“I never doubted that.” A slow grin curled across his lips. “We’re having a baby.”
“Two.”
His brows shot upward toward his hairline. “Two?”
“Twins,” she confirmed. “They run in our family.” A thought occurred, and tears burned the back of her eyes.
Aghast at her wayward emotions, she sucked in a deep breath and struggled for control.
She had to tell him, make him understand.
“Ransom, the last thing I want is for you to feel trapped with me and these babies. Stars, I should’ve said this before I marked you.
I kept telling you all I wanted was a fling.
Now, you’ll think I abducted you to get you to support me and the babies.
That isn’t my truth. I-I missed you. Life felt flat without you, and my plans didn’t seem as important.
” A tear spilled free and ran down her cheek.
“I came because I wanted you. You. Not the material things you can give me. My family—if this meeting had gone pear-shaped, my family would’ve helped me.
My heart would be dented, but I would’ve had support. ”
“Sweetheart, stop worrying. If there is one thing I learned about you during our quest, it is that you say what you mean. You’re honest and have integrity.
I understand what you’re saying because my life was black and white without you in it.
Your presence brings color. I want you. I want our children.
Full stop.” He grinned. “Two children.” Ransom reached for her and plucked her off the rock she sat on.
He set her on his knee, and seconds later, his mouth covered hers.
“You fulfill me, my mate. I will cherish our children as much as I love you. No matter which of us they take after, I will shower them with affection.”
“My plan didn’t include children.”
“Are you upset?”
“Surprisingly, no. As Saber pointed out, I can still follow my dream and design beautiful jewelry. I’ve come to realize I am happier when I’m with you.
We make an excellent team, and I’m not afraid to step into the future with you.
Somewhere along the line, you sneaked into my heart and never left. ”
“Same for me, sweetheart.”
He sealed their love with a decadent kiss, then they crawled into their tent to rest and didn’t emerge for a long time.
Best abduction ever.
Thank you so much for reading Star-Crossed with Scarlett.