Page 244 of Knot Their Soldier: Part Three

"Absolutely. Try to look more kidnapped."

Before I can answer, he hauls me out of the chair and against his chest. I stumble into him, catching the straps of his combat vest, and his protective growl rumbles low, making my knees wobble.

"Blaise," I warn, but it's too late.

"Target secured."

He catches my hand, presses a quick kiss to my knuckles, then tugs me toward the door with outrageous seriousness.

The datapad chimes as another report lands in my inbox.

I glance back at the desk.

Blaise narrows his eyes and points a finger at the datapad.

"Bad report. Stay."

Then he pulls me into the corridor.

Blaise does not take me through the usual route. He has shortcuts and sneaky back ways I've never even noticed which end right next to the front gate. The guards on gate duty give me questioning looks, waiting for me to flag them for assistance, but I just wave them off.

Blaise crouches in front of me, gesturing for me to climb onto his back.

I stop. "Absolutely not. Not again."

He glances over his shoulder, eyes bright. "Aw, come on. I know Viper gives you rides!"

"Yes, but he is respectful, doesn't run at full speed, and takes me where I ask to go."

"But you don't know where we're going."

I raise a brow and plant a hand on my cocked hip. "Would you tell me if I asked?"

"Nope." He grins. "It's a surprise."

Then he catches my hands, tugs me onto his back, and hooks his arms beneath my thighs. I barely have time to gasp before he launches down the mountain path at a full sprint.

"Blaise!" I scream.

I cling to him with my arms locked around his shoulders and my thighs clamped against his ribs.

Cold air whips tears into my eyes. Rocks, roots, and patches of old snow vanish under Blaise’s boots at such an immense speed. It would take me hours to descend the mountain on foot, but Blaise is an Alpha super-soldier, and he moves with terrifying ease, every stride powerful and sure, his body steady beneath mine even though the descent is steep and uneven.

"Slow down!"

His laugh tears through the air, wild and bright.

"Hold tighter, Sparkles."

"I am holding tight, you maniac!"

Through the bond, his joy crackles against mine until my fear starts tangling with laughter. My cheek presses to the side of his neck, and his pumping heartbeat rumbles under my chest.

By the time we reach the forest at the base of the slope, my heart is racing, my hair is a disaster, and Blaise is panting but looks like he wants to run it again for fun.

He lowers me carefully to my feet, keeping one hand at my waist until I’m steady.

"Why didn't we take a truck!?" I clutch at my forehead as I wait for the dizziness to stop.