Page 31 of Castaway Heat
“Well, we’re going on ahead to ensure everything’s ready,” Charlie said. He kissed Shiloh’s cheek. “We can chat more soon.” He rubbed Shiloh’s back one last time before crossing to his alpha. Once his arm was linked with his mate’s, Charlie turned to Ronin. “We weren’t sure where you’d want to go when you first got back, so we came prepared. There’s an SUV and driver waiting for you and Shiloh. Get him inside where it’s warm before he freezes to death.”
“Yes,please,”Shiloh said, his teeth starting to chatter.
Ronin placed a hand on Shiloh’s lower back and urged him forward. “Let’s go.”
Shiloh slipped into the back of the waiting vehicle, unaccustomed to being driven around, especially after the last few months. He slid to the center to allow Ronin to get in. Riley, Eirin, and Sage clambered into the back row.
Sage lightly punched Ronin on the arm. “Strong swimmers there, cuz.Congrats.”
Ronin shook his head and eyed Shiloh. “Do you think we can just go back to the island now?”
“The hell you say,” Riley snapped, frowning and placing a protective hand on Shiloh shoulder. “You’re not taking my bestieanywherefor a good, long time.”
“Ah,” Ronin said, eyeing Riley. “The infamous best friend.” He offered a hand as the driver pulled away from the tarmac. “A pleasure to meet you, Riley.”
Riley sized Ronin up for a moment before shaking that hand. “You’d best take care of him. Or else. And just remember that he was mine before he was yours.”
Ronin’s gaze flicked to Shiloh’s for a brief second before going back to Riley’s.
“Not like that,”Riley said, cringing. “Get your mind out of the gutter. We’ve been best friends since the first grade. You might think you know him after spending all that time alone together, but you willneverknow him better than I do.Never.”
“Noted,”Ronin murmured. He leaned in a bit closer and whispered. “But I do know him in the Biblical sense, so maybe we’re even?”
Riley sighed, narrowing his eyes—while fighting a smile. “We’ll see how I feel about you by the end of the night. Then I’ll decide if I’ll allow your assertion of us being even or not.”
Ronin chuckled. “I’ve got my work cut out for me, don’t I?”
“As if that wasn’t abundantly clear already,” Riley said, lifting a brow, his eyes glittering with mirth. “You don’t just have to keep him happy, but you have to keepmehappy.”
“Wouldn’t taking care of the first automatically take care of the second?” Ronin asked. “If he’s happy… you’re happy?”
“You would think that, but no. Shiloh will be happy with the bare minimum. I won’t,” Riley said. “Over and above, Ronin.That’show you take care of Shiloh.”
Ronin turned to Eirin. “So you’re the easy friend, I assume?” He offered a hand. “You’re already my favorite, just so you know.”
Eirin chuckled. “We’ve met, remember? On the ship.”
“Oh,right,” Ronin said, wincing.
“He had fuck-me eyes for Shiloh. He barely noticed our presence,” Sage said to Eirin. His gaze flipped to Ronin’s. “Youaregoing to do the right thing?Right?”
“Check his finger,” Ronin told Sage. “I already put a ring on it.”
Sage lifted Shiloh’s hand and gasped. “Ronin, you outdid yourself. Is that Cartier or Tiffany’s?”
“Don’t worry. I plan on replacing it with the real thing very soon.” Ronin replied, a smug smile tugging at the corners of his lips. “That’s all I had to work with on the island.”
Shiloh eyed his ring made of vine. “I don’t know… I kind of like the ring I have.” He looked up at Ronin, their eyes locking on one another. Shiloh struggled to catch his breath, his heart fluttering madly in his chest. “The one my alpha made especially for me.”
“Alwayssay yes to gold and diamonds,” Sage said under his breath. “Have I taught you nothing?”
“I have to agree with Sage on this one,” Eirin told Shiloh, grinning. “Save the green ring in a safe place but take the sturdier gold one to wear every day.”
Shiloh sighed. “Itisstarting to fray a bit. I suppose something a little stronger for daily wear would be smarter.” He looked at Ronin. “No diamonds though. A simple gold band is all I need.”
Both Riley and Sage shook their heads, glaring at Ronin.
“Overand above,” Riley repeated.
