She leaned into him, her true Mate, who could now perceive her, having claimed and desired her. She permitted him to embrace her, willingly encircled his waist with her arms, and remained still to receive the solace he provided through his hold.
They remained in that position for an extended duration before Ryder quietly enquired, “Is there anything else I need to observe?””
Brianna subtly shook her head. “No,” she replied.
“Are you certain?”He exhaled gently, “Brianna…” Desire to observe all details, regardless of their insignificance. or excruciating.
Brianna gazed up at him, her chin resting on his chest, as he directed his uniquely captivating blue-green eyes, reminiscent of opals in their splendour, towards her. Perceived Layla’s consciousness rise within her psyche and contemplated whether Aiden was also approaching the surface. “No,” she replied softly, “only my name, around the place.”
She felt his hand graze her face, shivered slightly as it moved to her hair, igniting delicate sparks against her cheek. Noticing his gaze shift to her lips, she inhaled sharply upon realising Ryder desired to kiss her, her heart racing within her chest.
His lips met hers, tender and gentle, as she grasped his shirt at his back, observing his eyes close while he drew her closer to his body, leaning into a kiss she had yearned for throughout her adult life. Envisioned countless times, she sensed her eyelids gently close and reciprocated his kiss.
The sob that escaped her interrupted the kiss, prompting her to withdraw from him. “I’m sorry,” she whispered, turning her face away, acutely aware of the tears streaming down her cheeks.
“Do not ever apologise, Brianna.” Ryder repositioned her face towards his, elevating her chin to ensure she met his gaze through her tears, and tenderly wiped them away. “Never,” he said softly and gently. “Feel as you wish to feel.”
Remained stationary and gazed upward at him, requiring several blinks until they disappeared. “I did not.. She was unable to articulate the reason for her sudden tears while he kissed her for the first time as his Mate. She comprehended the reason but found herself unable to articulate it, feeling significantly overwhelmed by her own emotions.
“Could you indicate the location to me?”He enquired, ostensibly shifting the topic for her, she presumed. Brianna merely inclined her head towards him, after which he grasped her hand once more. She dedicated several hours to traversing the pack-house and the surrounding woods. Several locations where she had inscribed her name remained, including her initials carved into a bookshelf and a skirting board in the library, indicating where she had sat to read, study, or occasionally sketch dresses.
It was among numerous trees in the woods where she had collapsed from exhaustion while running. Her initials, age of 18, and fastest completion time were inscribed on the final wooden support post of the agility course, adjacent to the bamboo rods designated for crawling beneath. It was just prior to her detecting his presence.
Ryder gazed at it for an extended period, then rose and directed his gaze directly at her. “Challenge accepted,” he stated with a smile directed at her.
Brianna reciprocated the smile. “Best of luck, I am diminutive and swift.”
“I shall persist in my efforts to surpass you,” he chuckled.
“I will observe.” She responded with a chuckle, “If you succeed in defeating me, I will regard it as a challenge to surpass you again.”
He was laughing heartily, then abruptly pulled her close and embraced her. “Agreed.” He distanced her slightly. “Is this all?”
Brianna averted her gaze and bit her lip. “No, there are two additional ones within the pack-house, assuming you have not renovated the rooms.”
He was scowling at her now. “Where?”He appeared displeased with her indecision.
“You may prefer to remain unaware of that.” Presumably punishable.
“I will not impose any punishment on you, Brianna.” Never. I will indulge you excessively if you permit me, but I will never chastise you.
“Contemplating…” Brianna remarked, “I am unaware of that,” as there existed one in his office and another in his bedroom, both of which were off-limits to anyone, much less for inscribing one’s name.
“Disclose it,” he whispered.
Brianna sighed, “Your office and…” She averted her gaze, unable to articulate the remaining words.
“My office…” He was already pulling her alongside him when he suddenly laughed, “Why, Brianna, have you claimed my bedroom?”“Appeared thoroughly entertained to her.”
“Perhaps,” she murmured, slightly mortified.
I have now heard him genuinely laugh. “Come on, I wish to see the location.” Ryder appeared quite elated to her. She was escorted to his office and observed him surveying the room. She shook her head; there had been some alterations, including a fresh coat of paint, new flooring, and a new couch and coffee table. However, his desk remained the same as it had been during her previous visit.
He gazed at her repeatedly, while she merely bit her lip and endeavoured to suppress her laughter. If it had been discovered during her presence, it would likely have resulted in incarceration, which would not assist him. It was amusing to observe him surveying the room. It had been present for a decade, yet he had not observed it. It was improbable that it would occur either.
“Take a seat at your desk.” “It may assist you in locating it from that point.” This was all she intended to convey to him, stated after he had been wandering in his office for ten minutes.
I observed him doing precisely that while examining everything.
What is the frequency of your visits here?”
“In this location, only once.” Brianna candidly confessed, “Sit right in your chair.”
He frowned, “Is it still present?” I undertook a remodelling project a few years prior.
“It is.” She nodded. “Inform me when you locate it,” Brianna remarked, glancing at her watch and realising it was nearly midnight. “I am going to retire for the night.”
“Excuse me, my suite?”Ryder declared as he rose to his feet.
“I refuse to sleep in that location.” She scowled at him.
“No.” He declined by shaking his head. “In which location within my suite?””
“May no longer be present.” “If you have remodelled,” Brianna remarked as she exited his office.
