Someone whooped in the background—probably Axle or Hawk—which only made Sue May turn redder with rage. “You’ll regret this,” she warned, fists curled tight at her sides. “He won’t want to stay with you. You think you’re so special? He’s had dozens of girls—”
“All right, time to take out the garbage,” Silke said as she handed Evan to Sabrina and dragged Sue May by the arm. “If I ever see you near my property again, I’m going to call the cops.”
Isabelle didn’t bother to watch or wait for anyone else to say anything. Spinning on her heel, she marched off, not caring where she went. From the tour Silke had given her earlier, she knew there was a large pool set in the back of the lodge. She followed the stone path until she saw the soft blue glow in the distance and followed it until it led her to the pool area. Staring into the water, she let out a sigh.
“Isabelle.”
Ransom must have come up fast for him to sneak up on her like that. “If it’s not obvious by now, I want to be alone.”
“You need to let me explain. Please.”
She whirled around. Her wolf was not very pleased with him, not after what that other female had said. It wanted to lash out at him and cut him into ribbons. “I’m not jealous, if that’s what you’re thinking. I know you’ve slept with other women before me and after, but they don’t get to insult me or Evan—”
“I haven’t.”
Her temper flared at being interrupted. “Haven’t what?”
“Haven’t slept with anyone after you.” He took a step forward, hand reaching out as if to touch her, but withdrew quickly when he sensed her wolf snap at him. “I swear, Isabelle, there’s been no one but you.”
The confession made her blink. “What? But it’s been so long.”
“I couldn’t.” The rough caress of his voice made her shiver. “Not with anyone else.”
Flabbergasted was too mild a word for what she was feeling. She wanted to tell him, too, but held her tongue. “But Sue May said—”
“That was a long time ago, way before you.” He rubbed a hand down his face. “I was young and stupid. Wasn’t even president then, so she left me alone after. When I got promoted, well, she came sniffing around again, had her cap set on being my old lady. Snuck into my bed naked as a jaybird one night, while Axle was having a party at his place. Since then, I’ve banned the guys from having parties and overnight guests. Ask them yourself.”
She did believe him. “She snuck in again.”
“And you handled yourself well,” Ransom said. “I wouldn’t be surprised if you earned the respect of every single person out there.”
The expression on his face was that of pride and made her stomach flip-flop. And the fact that he didn’t even tease her or revel in the jealousy she displayed annoyed her—because it meant a lot to her. Her wolf, too, had been mollified. “We should head back. They’ll be wondering where we are.” And why we’re alone.
Gold-green eyes bored into her as his expression turned serious. “Would it be so bad, Isabelle?”
“Would what be so bad?”
“You and me.”
The ache in his voice, in his eyes, was so potent it made it hard to breathe. “Please, don’t, Ransom. Not now.” Not yet, a small voice echoed.
He nodded. “Let’s head back, it’s probably Evan’s bedtime soon.”
They walked in silence, just the sound of the wind and the chirps of the crickets accompanying them along the way. He motioned for her to walk up the steps heading to the lodge’s outdoor deck first.
“There you two are,” Silke said, looking hopefully at them. “You’ll be happy to know I’ve taken the trash out. She won’t be bothering you again,” she said to Isabelle. “But I have a feeling you’ll hold your own against her.”
“Thanks, Silke,” Ransom said.
“Where the heck were you, anyway?” His sister planted her hands on her hips. “I told you to be back by five.”
“It’s that old hag—er, witch,” he grunted. “She was being particular about everything, and having her and her people place all the protection spells took longer than I thought. I’m just glad that pain in my ass is gone, and we should be good for a while.”
“Well, I’m glad for that,” Silke said.
“You won’t be when that witch comes calling,” Ransom said. “Despite her objections, she thought the lodge was stunning. Wants to talk to you about having some special event here.”
“Where’s Evan?” Isabelle asked.
“With Sabrina and Cross,” Silke nodded toward the other side of the deck, where they were chatting with Arlene and Bo.
“He’s ready for bed,” she observed, seeing his little head nod off as Sabrina held him. “I should go get him. Goodnight, Silke, and thanks for the party.”
“His seat’s still in my truck,” Ransom reminded her.
As if she could forget that she was staying with him. “I’ll meet you out front.”
After saying goodnight to Sabrina, Cross, and everyone else, Isabelle took Evan and headed to the parking lot. Ransom was already by his truck, the back seat open so she could put the drowsing baby into the car seat.
They drove in silence all the way back to his cabin, and it wasn’t a surprise that Evan was already fast asleep. “The excitement tuckered him out,” she said, just to break the tension in the air.
He didn’t answer but helped her by opening the back door for her and she took Evan out. They walked into the cabin in silence and she made a beeline for the stairs. She was already on the first step when he called her name.
“Isabelle?”
Turning to him, she was momentarily stunned by the look of pure determination on his face. “Y-yeah?”
“What I said this morning? About trying harder?”
“What about it?”
“You better believe I ain’t done yet.”
She stared at him for
