6. False Security #2
By the fourth afternoon, they slipped away from the hustle and bustle to steal a little alone time.
Sydney had packed a small picnic basket, and they walked deep into the northern pasture, far away from Dragon Guard business and family responsibilities.
They spread a soft flannel blanket beneath the shade of a massive, sprawling pecan tree and simply enjoyed being together.
After eating, Garrett lay back on the blanket, pulling Sydney tightly against his chest. She effortlessly curled into his side, her blond curls spilling across his shoulder as the warm summer breeze rustled the leaves above them.
They cuddled together, their fingers intertwined, talking quietly about a future that finally felt real.
They spoke of rebuilding, of quiet nights, of the family they would raise together, and of the official Mating Ceremony he wanted them to have– with the whole Clan in attendance.
They were fiercely Bonded and desperately, unreservedly in love. The only thing missing was Sydney wearing the Mating Mark, and that would be coming very soon. Shifting slightly, Garrett caught Sydney staring up at him with a soft, intensely focused expression in her eyes.
"What?" he asked, a lazy, contented smile tugging at his lips.
"Nothing," she murmured, tracing a light circle over his chest.
"I was admiring," she corrected, her eyes flashing with a playful, affectionate spark.
"Completely."
Garrett didn't argue. He simply let out a low, rough rumble of agreement, his large hand sliding into her hair as he rolled over, anchoring her beneath him on the blanket.
Bringing his lips down to hers, the quiet afternoon shattered with their deep, fiercely passionate kiss. The heat between them instantly flared. The Mating Bond roared to life, turning their slow embrace into something hot, urgent, and consuming.
Sydney gasped against his mouth. Her hands gripped his shoulders as the world around them completely faded away.
Their passion grew. He never wanted it to stop. Sliding his hands under her T-shirt, Garrett gasped into their kiss as the electricity of their connection shot up his arm.
Deepening their kiss, he was just about ready to give them both what they longed for when a dry, highly authoritative voice suddenly echoed directly into Sydney's mind. “Get a room, you two. No public indecency, please. Don’t you dare embarrass me, young lady.”
Sydney bolted upright, her face instantly flushing a bright crimson. Her fingers flew to her lips as her eyes opened wide.
Garrett blinked, his pupils wide with heat, before he let out a frustrated groan, burying his face in the crook of her neck.
He didn't even have to ask. He knew exactly what had happened. Through their shared Bond, he could feel Kara– the Dragon Queen with whom Sydney shared her soul– smirking from deep within his Mate’s soul.
As if that wasn’t bad enough, deep inside his own psyche, Han let out a heavy, dramatic sigh, his deep voice rumbling with exasperation. “Kids in love. No respect for common decency.”
Garrett let out a breathless, genuine laugh against Sydney’s skin, tightening his arms around her waist as she giggled beneath him. “I guess we embarrassed the old people, huh?”
“Yeah, you’d think they were never young,” he laughed, giving Sydney a quick kiss on the cheek.
When they finally walked back to the cottage that evening, the flannel blanket draped over Garrett’s shoulder, a profound sense of normalcy settled over him.
He walked straight to the kitchen island, picked up the leather-bound notebook, and dropped it into the top drawer of the small writing desk in the corner.
Sydney paused near the hallway, noticing the definitive click of the wood. "No entry?"
Garrett shrugged, turning to her with a relaxed, easy smile. "Nothing to report."
Sydney smiled, leaning against the doorframe. "Coffee tomorrow?"
This time, there was absolutely no pause. No lingering weight, no hesitation. "Absolutely," Garrett said firmly. "That's the way we start the day, my love."
Sydney chuckled happily as she walked out of the kitchen, but stopped on the bottom step. "Oh, I almost forgot. How long are you planning to record yourself sleeping?"
Garrett grabbed his phone from the counter, flashing a dry smirk. "Until I become entertaining."
The next morning, the bedroom was bright with early light. Before they even went downstairs together to start the coffee, Garrett walked over to the corner. Climbing the step stool, he reached for the small black camera in the corner and flipped the power switch off.
Sydney stopped, her hand on the doorknob. "Did you change your mind?"
"Yep," Garrett said, climbing down then tossing his phone onto the unmade bed. "I'm pretty sure I'm not gonna juggle or do any magic tricks in my sleep."
It was a deliberate choice. For the first time since his rescue, Garrett truly believed he had regained total control of his body and his mind. The protocol had done its job. Whatever strange episode had plagued him appeared to have passed.