“Lilliane,” he said. “Leave it alone. I can’t be with her.”
She narrowed her eyes at him. “You know, you call me trouble for a reason.”
“Yes.”Because you are trouble for my self-control. For my sanity. Because you are everything I never wanted to want.
“Okay. Well, by definition, I need to keep going. I’ve got a troublemaker reputation to uphold.”
He shook his head and laughed despite himself. “You know what? If you want to figure out who it is, you go right ahead. The only issue is that you can’t leave this house because of your stalker. How do you think you can find her?”
She shrugged. “I have my ways.”
“Shit, but you are trouble.”
Lilliane beamed at him as she took the plate of pasta he handed her. “But you love it.”
His entire body went still. He did. He loved it. And if she kept on being herself, he could love her, too. It was too soon, though. Too soon and impossible. As soon as her stalker situation was dealt with, he would let Lilliane walk out of his life forever.
It was better that way. To keep her in the dark.
“I know,” she giggled. “But really, my heart is in the right place. I just want you to be okay.”
He nodded and settled at the table. “Eat your food, trouble. You need energy if you’re gonna drive me wild.”
She smiled at him, but she couldn’t know he was already half-wild for her.
* * *
After cleaningup the mess Lilliane made in the kitchen, they settled in the living room on opposite ends of the couch. Atlas lit a fire to keep the chill out of the air. It was that or cuddling Lilliane on the couch, and he didn’t think she would be okay with that.
“I’m sorry we kissed,” Lilliane said softly.
He muted the movie she’d picked and turned to face her. “What?”
“We kissed, and I’m sorry about that. I realize that you’re into someone else, so you probably feel like you were unfaithful to her or something.”
He shook his head. “I’m not with anyone, so I can’t be unfaithful.”
“But you love her. How can you love her and kiss me?” She shrugged. “You’re a really good kisser, Atlas. The only person youshouldbe kissing isher. Your mate. Whoever she is.”
“Lilliane,” he warned.
This was hell. Honest to god hell. It could all end if he just told her the truth, but then she would leave. Wouldn’t she? It was too great a risk to take.
“What?” she asked. “I can say that, can’t I? When we kissed?” she whistled. “I was all melty inside. If you want to convince her that being your mate is a good idea, all you gotta do is kiss her.” She smiled at him, blinking fast. Her face was all pink and soft. Her lips were as pouty and enticing as ever.
Without thinking, he took her ankle and dragged her to him. Quick on the uptake, she straddled him into the couch. He cupped her face in his hands and growled deep in his throat as his cock began to harden. Lilliane closed her arms around his neck and smiled. “What did I just say? This should be for her alone.”
“I should kiss her like this, then? To convince her?” Atlas kissed the corner of her mouth softly. Gently. He could barely feel it, but he pressed the other corner with a bit more force. She ground down on him with a moan.
“It’s a good start,” she purred.
He palmed her ass to bring her closer to him. She moaned when her core made contact with his erection. He hissed out a breath and bit into her lower lip before licking the sting away.
“Atlas,” she shivered in his arms. “You really want to tease her into madness?”
He chuckled before capturing her mouth with his. He parted her lips with his tongue and explored her. Their kisses were long and deep. Made impossibly hotter by their proximity. He wanted to keep Lilliane right here in his arms. Forever.
“See?” she was breathless. “Kiss her like that, and she’ll be yours. Guaranteed.”
