Ransom Drysdale - Thorns 💛

Chapter 4

Ransom watched Rose pull into the driveway. She was getting out of the car as he walked outside. He saw her step out in a simple red dress that stopped just above her knees with long sleeves a v-neck. It hugged every curve, making him groan. He leaned down to kiss her cheek as he approached her, "the red is to torture me?"

Rose smiled, "it is, yes. You don't like the red, Mr. Drysdale?"

He groaned as he grabbed her hand, "I think you know that I do. You look beautiful." He stopped just before they reached the door, "I don't even know your last name."

"Miller." She saw him nod as she watched panic wash across his face, "it'll be fine Ransom. The best way to get away with a lie is not not tell the whole truth. Just follow my lead."

Ransom sighed and nodded as he opened the door for her, letting her walk ahead of him. He heard the sitting room go silent as he walked in with her. Before he could say anything, Rose grabbed his hand.

"Hello everyone, I'm Rosalie Miller. But everyone calls me Rose." She felt Ransom squeeze her hand, not knowing her name was Rosalie. She looked up at him, "are you going to introduce me to your family Ransom?"

He nodded, "yes. Sorry." He went around the room, introducing her to everyone, stopping at his mother, "and this is my mother, Linda."

Rose smiled, holding out her hand, "it's so nice to meet you Mrs. Drysdale."

Linda grinned, "please, call me Linda."

Ransom rolled his eyes, pulling Rose out of the room, "I want you to meet my grandfather." He took her across the hall to the study where Harlan sat at his desk. He stood up as they approached, coming out and in front of his desk. "This is my grandfather, Harlan." He put his arm around Rose's waist, "and this is my girlfriend Rose."

Harlan beamed, "it's nice to meet you young lady."

She blushed slightly, "it's nice to meet you too. You have a beautiful house Mr. Thrombey."

Ransom kissed her on the cheek, "I'll go get you a drink."

Rose nodded as he left her alone with Harlan.

"Call me Harlan please. And don't think that I don't know what's going on here."

Rose hesitated, "I'm sure I don't know what you mean."

Harlan laughed, "come on. You have my grandson all out of sorts. Let me tell you, that has never happened before. I know you aren't his girlfriend though. Did he make you feel bad for him?"

Rose laughed, "he did! I don't know how he did it, but he did. I didn't want to embarrass him in front of his family. Please don't say anything."

Harlan shook his head, "of course I won't dear. Let's go. I hope you're prepared to be the center of attention."

Rose groaned as she left the study as Ransom handed her a glass of whiskey. She finished it quickly as she heard both him and Harlan laugh behind her. She sat next to Ransom and Linda with a sigh. Once dinner was served, she felt Linda turn to her.

"So how did you guys meet?"

Rose smiled, "at the bar. I was stood up and Ransom noticed and offered to take the place of my date." She sat back, picking at her food as she answered question after question from everyone.

"How old are you?"

"I'm 25. I actually went to the same school as Ransom. But I was a freshman when he was a senior." She felt Ransom place his hand on her thigh.

"You did? I'm sure I would have remembered you."

Rose laughed, "I'm sure you wouldn't."

Richard cleared his throat, "so what is it you do, Rose?"

She sighed, "I'm a legal secretary at a big law firm down town. Bryson and Thompkins."

"And you aren't married with a family by now? You're a gorgeous girl."

Rose smiled at Linda, "thank you, not married though."

Meg scoffed, "as if women need to be married with children by the time they're 25?"

Rose giggled at Meg to see her smile at her. Rose winked at Meg, "we certainly don't."

Ransom led Rose to the study after dinner, sitting next to her at the chess board, "you did well. You are a great liar."

She shrugged, "I didn't lie Ransom. And I'm not doing this again."

He sighed, "I know." He moved closer to her, moving the collar of her shirt to display a small mark still visible from where he bit her the previous week. He leaned down, kissing the mark as he heard a small whimper from her. He kissed up to her neck, "what if I get on my knees, and beg? Will you go out with me then? I can take you up to my room upstairs."

Rose giggled, pushing him away from her, "stop it Ransom. I said no."

He groaned, resting his forehead on her shoulder, "you're killing me Rose." He looked up at the chess board, "do you know how to play chess?"

Rose shrugged, "I think I remember, why?"

He grinned, sitting at the chess board, motioning for her to sit across from him, "play me. I win, you let me take you out on a proper date. You win, I'll do as you ask and leave you alone for good."

Rose sighed, "fine." She played half the game, winning as she watched the disappointment on his face. She looked up to see Harlan watching them from the doorway of the room, out of Ransom's view. She planned out the next few moves in her head as she shook her head. She looked up at Harlan to see him wink at her as she moved, leaving her queen unguarded, letting Ransom win. "Fuck. You win." She saw Harlan stifle a laugh as he shook his head, walking out of the room.

Ransom beamed as he stood up, "now you have to go out with me."

Rose giggled as he pulled her to him as she stood up and she felt him kissing her neck, up to her chin, crashing his lips into hers as she wrapped her arms around his neck. "Ransom, stop." She pushed him away, out of breath as she fixed the hem of her dress, "I really should go."

He nodded, "I'll text you? About going out next weekend?"

Rose sighed, but nodded, "yes. Be a good boyfriend and walk me to my car Ransom." She held onto his hand as he led her to the sitting room for her to say goodbye. They ran into Harlan on the way out, "thank you for having me Harlan."

"You're welcomed anytime Rose."

She smiled as he winked at her before she followed Ransom outside to her car. She leaned against the car door, looking at Ransom, "don't make me regret agreeing to go on a date with you. Now I'm sure we're being watched, so kiss me goodbye."

Ransom only nodded as he brought his hand to her cheek, kissing her softly at first. He moaned as he felt her tongue find his, making him grip her waist with his free hand. He finally pulled away, "you won't regret it. I promise."