Page 5 of Ransomed to the World
The rest of the guys remained quiet under her glare, like deer caught in the headlights, leaving him to hang out to dry, the fuckers. He wasn’t about to go down for this alone. “The guys voted and decided it was best for you to concentrate on your training and not us. We’re a distraction, so we’re doing our best to keep you focused on your work.”
Instead of blowing up, Annora gave an adorable snort, then full-out laughed until she staggered to remain upright. His eyes widened, and he glanced around at the rest of the guys to see they were just as baffled as him. Even Logan had changed back to human form, donning a pair of pants and a shirt before strolling out of the trees, completely oblivious to Prem weaving in and out between his feet, trying to trip him up.
The kitsune was smiling, completely charmed by her laughter, and Edgar couldn’t blame the guy. Mason scratched the back of his head, a bemused, slightly uneasy smile on his face. The other two just studied her like she’d snapped or something.
He knew better.
She’d been through much worse without even blinking.
No, this was something much more dangerous.
She was plotting.
Which would never end well for them.
He stumbled back when she straightened abruptly.
“Well, your way of doing things sucks.” She glared at each of them in turn. “Instead of punishing me, why not reward me instead?”
Her dark eyes brightened with lust, sending heat licking up his body, and it took every ounce of his control to resist going to her and stealing a kiss. It was so hard to be near her, finally be able to touch her, and deny himself.
Everything he’d ever wanted was within his grasp, and he was terrified it would all be taken from him.
Thatshewould be taken from him.
He wouldn’t be able to survive without her.
To keep Annora safe, the guys had decided they needed to make any decisions about her together. She’d only have to bat her eyelashes to get them to do anything she wanted.
But together, they were stronger.
When she turned her gaze toward him, he felt himself bending, all logic vanishing.
Fuck the others.
He couldn’t give up the chance to spend time with her.
“What type of reward do you have in mind?” He caught a strand of her hair as it floated on the breeze, savoring the tangy smell of lemon and warm jasmine. The silken strands curled around his fingers, and he slowly tucked her hair behind her ear to keep from burying his hands in the silken mass and stealing a kiss, he was that desperate for another taste of her. He’d never met anyone like her, and he couldn’t believe he was lucky enough to call her his mate.
He didn’t dare breathe while he waited for her response, lust short-circuiting his brain.
Her smile was slow to form, and his cock hardened at the mischief dancing in her eyes. She trailed her fingers up his shirt, and he swallowed hard, afraid if he moved, he’d lunge for her.
“How about this? For every task I complete, you guys will owe me a date.”
He frowned at her in confusion for a second, then looked up to see the guys lined up behind her. At his silent question, they all nodded.
He peered down at her, and warmth spread in his gut. “Deal.”
Annora bit her lip against the urge to cheer and do a victory dance when every single one of the guys agreed without a fight.
She would keep doing everything they said, pushing herself further and harder than they asked, jumping through hoops in order to complete their strict training regimen, knowing she’d need it if she wanted to keep them safe. Her father won’t go easy on her. While the guys were skilled, they weren’t phantoms.
They could die, which was unacceptable.
The sun blazed down on them in the small clearing, the slight breeze and the meager shade from the branches affording little relief.
She gazed up at Edgar, his pale skin resisted the rays of the sun, his black hair seeming to almost absorb the light, his deep blue eyes fathomless as he studied her face. Everything about him was imposing—from his lean, athletic body to his long, straight nose, his full eyebrows, and his stubborn jaw. Though his mouth was hard, his lips were generous and begged her to steal a kiss.
