Page 6 of Ransomed to the World
His face softened when he looked at her, pure joy and possessiveness shining from him, and her heart skipped a beat, imagining what they would do together when they were finally alone.
Lured closer, she took a step, only to halt when Logan sauntered into view. He rubbed his hands together, his smile a little devious, mischief sparking in his eyes.
Her heart lightened at seeing that playfulness again.
It’d been too long.
The red tips of his spiked hair blazed in the light, no longer limp and dull. His blue eyes sparkled with a snap of electricity, and he moved effortlessly, easily navigating the tangled undergrowth with his normal agility.
She knew he was getting better, knew he was healing, but the distance between them was a physical ache. It took everything in her not to march over and run her hands over him to make sure he was all right.
“How about a challenge?” Logan raised an eyebrow at her, daring her to come play.
“What do you have in mind?” Annora tried to quash her smile, but knew she failed when the guys groaned.
“How about a race to the top?” Logan turned and pointed up the steep peak. “Night comes early in the mountains. There’s a clearing about two miles ahead where we can camp for the evening.”
Annora glanced at the guys, then peered up at Mason. “How far are we away from the troll encampment?”
Mason narrowed his eyes and stared off in the distance. “Trolls consider the mountains their domain, so they no doubt know we’re on our way. We have at least one more day of hard hiking tomorrow before we reach them.”
Annora gave him a bright smile and turned toward Camden. “So that gives us tonight to enjoy ourselves.”
It wasn’t a question so much as a plea. Camden sighed, not even bothering to check with the other guys when he nodded, his lips twitching. “Very well.”
Her smile bloomed.
“But only after our lessons,” Willa interrupted before Annora could say anything. When she opened her mouth to protest, Willa held up her hand. “Think of it as giving the guys time to prepare for your date.”
Annora snapped her mouth shut, excitement making her stomach tumble.
An actual date.
“I’ve never had a date before,” she confessed, suddenly nervous. “What if I do it wrong?”
The guys stiffened, and embarrassment warmed her cheeks. Suddenly uncomfortable, she looked up at the clearing that seemed much too close now, wishing she had kept her mouth shut.
Xander stepped into her space and cupped her face, blocking out everything but him. “Annora—”
“My uncle took me to parties, showed me off, made me play hostess. People would study me like I was an object and not a person. He would try to woo me to make me more compliant, but when I didn’t bend to his will, he cut off the visits.” She gave him a crooked smile. “And I was glad. I hated every second of it, hated being the center of attention.”
Xander leaned down until his forehead was pressed against hers, his sharp teal eyes piercing her soul. Though his hair was black, the ragged tips were bleached white. He was so close, his trimmed beard practically brushed against her lips. He was big and rugged, the perfect soldier. Everything about him was strong and unbending. Even his voice was gruff.
But not with her.
A sea breeze tickled her senses, and she’d swear she could feel his wings wrap around her like a cozy blanket.
“Do I make you uncomfortable?”
His voice was a low, sexy rumble that made her lick her lips, wanting a taste, and she shook her head. “No, of course not.”
“That’s because you know you can trust me—trust us.” He lightly brushed his lips against hers. When she went up on her toes to chase the kiss, he pulled away. “We’re different. I guarantee that you’ll enjoy having our undivided attention.”
Lust, dark and needy, hummed along her skin, and she shivered.
“If you’re uncomfortable, all you have to do is tell us to stop.” When he strode away, she found herself taking a step after him.
She blinked, becoming aware of her surroundings once more.
