Allyn and Ransom – 29

 

"She's good," Allyn said, once he found Ransom again. "She pulled things out of me I wasn't even aware I'd noticed."

 

"One of the best in the country." Ransom looked at the copy of the sketch Allyn handed him. "Clean shaven. No identifying marks. I presume the area around the eyes is her guesstimate, since you said he was wearing a mask."

 

"Yeah. Still, he should be recognizable unless he's done something to change his appearance."

 

"I'll get copies of this out to everyone involved." Ransom leaned back, looking at Allyn. "You free for supper?"

 

"Maybe. Depends where. I'm not up for some fancy-yancy place."

 

"Be still my heart. You mean you're willing to eat where the peons do?"

 

Allyn flipped him off.

 

"Guess that's a yes. Come on. We'll take my truck."

 

A few minutes later they were parking on the street a couple of blocks from the race track. Ransom led the way to what looked like a hole-in-the-wall bar and grill Allyn wasn't certain he wanted to visit. That is, until they stepped inside and the aroma of the food hit him.

 

"Smells good, huh?" Ransom said, pointing to a vacant table. "Tastes better."

 

The minute they sat, the waitress came over to hand them menus. "Beer?" When Ransom nodded, she hurried away.

 

"What's good?" Allyn asked.

 

"What isn't? Me? I always get the gumbo and a Po' Boy. Best ones you'll ever taste, especially the garlic oyster."

 

"I recommend this one," the waitress said, setting down their beers and tapping Allyn's menu. "BBQ shrimp."

 

"How about one of those and the garlic oyster Po' Boy. We can share," Ransom suggested. "And two bowls of gumbo."

 

Allyn agreed and they placed their orders.

 

"Now that we're alone," Ransom said, resting his elbows on the table, which brought him closer to Allyn.

 

"Not sure we're alone, but…"

 

"You know what I mean. I was thinking—and no smartass comments on that."

 

"Never."

 

"Uh-huh. Anyway," Ransom continued, "we never did it the last time we were together, so… ::Can you hear me?::

 

Allyn grinned. ::I thought you'd never ask. Yes, I can mind speak. I haven't done it, except with Miranda a few times back when she was a pup. It was how we kept secrets from the parents.::

 

::Meaning you can block it so only the person you're communicating with can hear you. That's good. It didn't occur to me until my team was discussing how we'd track you if you are captured. Bugs are fine as far as they go, but they can be found, no matter how well they're hidden.::

 

::That wouldn't be good in this case.::

 

::In any case,:: Ransom replied, ::but especially this time. If he found it before he took you…wherever.::

 

::Yeah. So we'll do mind speaking. How close will you need to be to hear me?::

 

::The last time I did it with someone, we were good up to a mile, give or take.::

 

::You can't follow me that closely. He might spot your car.::

 

Ransom smiled grimly. ::A car, yeah. A wolf? Not likely.::

 

Allyn nodded. ::That would work. And probably enhance your ability to hear me.::

 

::Now all we have to do is hope he doesn't sedate you. If he does, we could be SOL.::

 

"Guys?" They turned to see their waitress standing there with their meals. "You two must really be into each other," she said, grinning. "You were doing the whole gazing into each other's eyes so intensely you didn't even know I was here."

 

"Yeah." Ransom sat back, overtly squeezing Allyn's thigh. "I guess we are."

 

"Guess?" Allyn pretended to be offended. "I know we are." He leaned in to give Ransom a kiss.

 

"You two are cute," the waitress commented. "If it was me, I'm not sure I'd have ordered the garlic oyster Po' Boy, under the circumstances."

 

Allyn shrugged. "Since we're sharing…"

 

"True. Enjoy. The food, I mean." She winked then walked away.

 

"The food—and the company," Ransom said quietly, staring intently at Allyn.

 

As always—since they'd been reunited—Allyn's heart pounded faster when Ransom took things to a very personal level. All he could think right now was how much he wanted them in bed, making love the way they used to. He was instantly quite glad mind reading and mind speak were two very different things.

 

A moment later, Allyn wondered if they were when Ransom murmured, "Only a few more days and we will be." Allyn's surprise must have shown in his expression, because Ransom chuckled. "I have the feeling, from looking at you, that our minds are both going to the same place. Bed."

 

"For sure mine was. Damn, I want this over and done with. Why the hell did we decide to wait?"

 

"Because we need to concentrate on the most important thing first."

 

Allyn chuckled. "Right now I'm not so certain stopping him is more important than my need for you. But that's just my body talking."

 

Ransom grinned, replying, "So I'm only a sex object to you?"

 

"You're more than that," Allyn protested before he caught on to the fact Ransom was teasing him.

 

"I know," Ransom said quietly. "And soon enough we'll prove it. Right now, however, we need to eat before everything gets cold."

 

"Definitely," Allyn agreed.

 

They ate, mostly in silence except when commenting on the food, but that didn't stop them from gazing at each other between bites. And contrary to his protestations to Miranda—and himself—Allyn knew he loved Ransom.

 

When this is over, I will show him just how much I do.