The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Vivienne let out a quiet yawn, feeling unusually sleepy tonight. Deciding it was best to rest up for whatever tomorrow might bring, she leaned her head against the passenger seat and closed her eyes,

murmuring, "Mr. Wolf, wake me up when we get there, will you?"

Percival drove the car out to the countryside, the peacefulness of Vivienne's sleeping face prompting him to carefully open the car door without making a sound. He gently lifted Vivienne from the passenger seat and, noticing the chill of the evening breeze, draped his jacket over her.

Carrying Vivienne in his arms, he walked up a gentle hill, his figure tall and striking against the night sky.

When Vivienne opened her eyes, she was still cradled in Percival's arms. She removed his jacket and wrapped her arms tightly around his waist, nuzzling into his chest like a contented cat.

With a smile, Percival helped her to sit up on the hilltop, holding her close. "Awake now?"

Vivienne snuggled closer, then turned to lean her back against him, her voice soft and inviting, "Why did we come here? Weren't we heading to your place?"

His lips brushed her ear as he spoke teasingly, "I was worried you wouldn't make it back to the Linklater estate before dawn. It'd be hard to explain your absence."

Vivienne chuckled, delighted by his playfulness, her mind flashing with images that made her lick her lips in anticipation.

Her hands deftly unbuckled his belt, slipping into his shirt to feel his muscular torso, her eyes sparkling with joy.

"Your muscles are so nice to touch," she whispered, a playful tone in her voice.

blushed slightly but indulged Vivienne, letting her have her way while he silently

now sitting astride Percival, pulled him into a deep kiss, reluctant to

lay together on the grass, gazing at the stars twinkling like diamonds scattered across the vast night sky, forming a milky way. Percival intertwined his fingers with hers,

warmth of his breath on her fingertips, as intimate as his lips

I want us to get married soon," he said earnestly, looking up at

softly, "We already

in the eyes of our elders, it's

though they were legally married, without a ceremony, it felt

of a bride in a wedding gown, complete with a veil, against the backdrop of

rested in Percival's strong arms, drawing comfort

to her

hold of Percival's sleeve, "Stay

as he closed the

as he untied the ribbon of her dress, revealing her delicate figure. They surrendered to their passion until the first light of dawn. When Percival woke, it

finding the room empty except for a note from Percival wishing her a good morning, smiled and drifted back to

from his jog, wiping sweat from his foreheadz He knocked on Vivienne's door, "Vivienne, Aunt

Vivienne was overly

stood in orderly rows, their expressions serious as they awaited the arrival of the woman who had sent

living room, was visibly tired, supported by Dracon. Despite their fatigue, they were curious about the

in to announce, "She's here, Ms.