Running from His Claim (Beauty and the Beast #2)

Chapter 42

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When he made no other move I ventured, "What're you doing?"

More silence. Then...a sigh.

I waited for more. "Warren?"

"I find I have no desire to return to reality just yet."

"Huh?" I frowned. What did that mean?

Still, I was encaged in his arms and I gave up after a bit more struggling. Then the blushing started. I'd finally realised that I was draped all over him and I could feel every hard, hot muscle pressed against me. Even with only his arms around me, he was heavy. I remembered a time when I could have just snuggled into him, or when I could have just turned my face up to his, knowing he'd kiss me senseless...

Warren suddenly let go.

It took me a moment to notice, and I looked up in confusion. He angled his head when I still didn't get up. Finally getting it, I scrambled into a sitting position, my cheeks flaming. I assessed that I was intact and stood up. Warren stood to his full height beside me and I was relieved when he stepped back, shaking leaves out of his hair. The guy had a way of taking up space.

I struggled with getting my bag onto my back and turned to Warren - just in time to find him gazing at me, hands in his pockets. "What?"

He stepped closer and leaned into me, eyes peering emotionlessly into my face. Suddenly, so quickly I blinked, his hand slipped into my hair as he leaned into it and drew a deep breath. "Mine."

Then he stepped back, walking away. I stood stunned, staring after him. Had I heard right?

He stopped but didn't turn. His voice was icy. "Coming?"

No, I hadn't heard right. I shook the weird hallucination out of my head and followed him. Wanting to be away from him wasn't worth getting lost in the forest.

We walked in silence, Warren staying always just a few feet ahead of me. After what felt like hours but was mere minutes, he came to a stop. I stopped next to him and saw my friends bantering back and forth a short distance away, oblivious to the danger that had just been close to them. I gaped at the beautiful waterfall cascading down right behind them.

"It's beautiful," I breathed.

Warren turned to look at me as I took it in, then offered me a small smile. "Yes, it is."

Then he turned back to the scene before us and said softly, "Go, your friends await."

"Thank you," I whispered and stepped into the clearing.

I had only taken two steps towards the group, wondering who the ranger with them was, when Anya spotted me.

"Belle!" she called, waving me over.

The guys turned to me and a few of them cheered. The ranger turned to me and Darry fixed his dark chocolate eyes on me, taking me in. His hand rested lightly on his belt as he pushed his hat back a bit.

"I'm guessing you're the missing girl, sunshine?" he said warmly.

I blushed and nodded. "I just had to take a call, that's all."