“Atlas, wolf man, I need you to understand something. I don’t think that you kidnapped me or took me against my will.”
“I did, though. For all we know, you’ve got Stockholm syndrome.”
“Wow. Okay. Well, you’re gonna make me say it.”
“Say what?”
“When you brought me here, I was relieved to have a reason why I couldn’t leave. You saved me, Atlas. You didn’t take me away from anything other than mortal danger.” She took a few tentative steps toward him. She cupped his face in her hands. “That’s a hell of a way to make me fall for you.”
He gulped. “Fall for me?”
She leaned down and kissed his forehead. “I just might, wolf man. I just might.”
Lilliane kissed his forehead and grabbed their plates before retreating to the kitchen. Atlas shook his head. “What the hell just happened?”
He didn’t know what Lilliane intended to do now that she knew the truth, but he knew whathewanted.
Her.
FOURTEEN
LILLIANE
HOLY SHIT!
Holy. Shiiiiiit!
Lilliane took the plates into the kitchen. Her legs shook as she stood at the sink washing the dishes. She needed a second to clear her mind.
How was this even possible?
How could this happen? Toher?
“Lilliane,” Atlas said. When she turned toward him, he was leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed and wolfish eyes studying her carefully. “Wanna share what’s on your mind?”
“Nothing’s on my mind,” she squeaked.
He chuckled. “Oh, yeah. Nothing. I didn’t just drop a bomb on you.”
“You didn’t,” she pointed out. “I said it.”
He nodded and closed the distance between them. He cupped her face, tipping it back. “Trouble, I didn’t want to find you. I really didn’t. It terrifies me to love someone as much as I love you. I’ve known you two days. Imagine what it’ll be like after two months. Two years. Two decades. Being loved by a shifter, being a mate, it’s this massive thing that takes over who you are. Takes over your life.”
Lilliane placed her hands over his to pull them down to her heart. “Atlas, stop for a second.”
“That’s just it. Once I’ve started, I won’t be able to stop. I don’t want to be another Victor.”
She smiled sadly. “Atlas, wolf man, you are one silly guy. You’re not a Victor. There is no comparison between you two. No competition. Nothing. I couldn’t even begin to put you in the same category.”
“But I took you.”
“Away from danger,” she finished for him. “Let’s not forget that part. You think this is fate, Atlas. And…” Her eyes widened. “When you were talking aboutyour mate!You said she’s sexy and too smart for you. You think I’m…”
“Incredible,” he finished for her. “I get you, Lilliane. You were willing to sacrifice yourself for your sisters. That’s the kind of loyalty I understand. I’ve been doing that for my pack for years. And you make it look so easy. It’s incredible, trouble. Just incredible.”
“What do we do now?”
He shook his head. “What do you mean?”
