“Well, now that I know we’re mates, what happens? What do shifters do when they meet their person?”
“They spend time together.”
“We’re already doing that.”
“Usually because it’s just better to have them around. Sometimes because there are vampire stalkers out there.”
“Right. So, does that mean I can stay here?”
He shrugged. “You can try to leave.”
She narrowed her eyes at him, smirking at his forceful response. “You wouldn’t let me leave, huh?” She was teasing him, but he wasn’t amused.
“No,” he answered. “That makes me like him, and that’s why I’m… This is bad.”
“I agree,” Lilliane nodded. “It’s really bad that you keep comparing yourself to Victor. You would keep me here to keep me safe. You’d stop me from leaving because you know it would only be to save someone I love. I’m not gonna go anywhere, for the record. Not when you’ve got all the sugar in townandthe only bed that’s nightmare-free.”
He chuckled and shook his head. “Why did you ask me what we were going to do if you already knew?”
“Because I’ve got a feeling you’re gonna be really broody about swinging me over your shoulder to bring me here. Even though I’ve said that it’s okay. I wantedsomeoneto do just that. I obviously didn’t think it was going to happen. I gave up on life that day I went to Victor. I didn’t think I would ever … find love.” She shrugged. “And now you’re here, and I’m your mate, and I see what that means for my sisters. So I kinda get what it means for us.”
“Ah, you do, do you?” He took a few steps closer to her.
“Yeah. I’m starting to get why, after barely any time together, we’re so attuned to each other. I still can’t believe I slept last night.”
“You’ll sleep even better tonight,” he whispered in her ear. “Because if you think I’m gonna sleep in another bed now that you know the truth…” He whistled out a breath. “You’re in for a surprise.”
“Itisyour bed.”
“I’m only ever gonna see it asoursnow,” he said before nibbling the column of her neck. “Even when you leave.”
She pulled away from his embrace. “When?If.”
He smiled at her. “It’ll take some getting used to that you wanna be here.”
Lilliane giggled and covered her face. “Oh, god. You know what I just realized?” She laughed more, too giggly to answer him every time he asked what was so funny. “I … I … I was jealous of your mate. The way you would talk about her. Me. I was jealous of myself.”
Atlas shook his head with a disbelieving smile. “Huh. Imagine that.”
“For two days, I felt like the woman was insane. It also made me feel really guilty for wanting you.”
“Oh, trouble, I don’t think you understandwantthe way I do.”
She rolled her eyes. “Sure, I do. Look at you. You’re still not wearing a shirt. You spend most of your days without a shirt on, and it’s insane. Because I have to look at you and not go up in flames.”
He chuckled, cupped her face, and ran his thumb along her lower lip. “You slept in my arms, trouble. Your breasts on me, your hand on my thigh, your mouth…” He ran his thumb along it again, tracking the movement with hooded eyes.
“This mouth is made to be kissed. I’ve wanted you since the moment I laid eyes on you. It almost killed me to believe you wanted another man. But you’ve never been his.” He brushed her lips with a kiss. “I nearly came when you walked in wearing my shirt. God, Lilliane. The things I want to do with you.” He shivered at the thought. “But not yet.”
Lilliane nodded. “Yeah. Probably best we pace ourselves. There’s a stalker out there. That’s what we should focus on. Not …” she caught his glance, “notus.”
“We’ve got all the time in the world,” he agreed with a nod. “Lilliane, I have to stop touching you.”
“Ah,” she was the one nodding now. “Yeah. I get it. We need to focus. Touching is … distracting.”
“Hmm.” He licked his lips and took a step away. “The levels of trouble, Lilliane. You’re all of them.” He kissed the top of her head and left the kitchen.
Moments later, when the shower kicked on, she giggled. “Oh, wolf man.”
