“If you’d only told me, I would’ve understood. And do you knowwhyI would have understood? Because if you said,” she took on a deep voice and continued in a mock Atlas tone, “I am gathering my friends and pack to help save you from Victor, but I’ll be back to cuddle you all night …” She dropped her imitation of him. “I would have understood and not felt confused. Well, no. I am still going to be confused, but that’s nothingtalkingwon’t help.”
Atlas studied her for a few long seconds. “I wouldn’t have said it like that.”
“I wouldn’t know, would I?” she needled with a grin.
“That’s fair. I should’ve told you, but there are things…” His jaw ticked, and he stuffed his hands in his pockets, looking uncomfortable. “Things I don’t know how to say.”
“That’s the lone wolf in you. But I’m your mate, right? Doesn’t that mean that there is a good chance I will get you if you give me half a chance? A real chance. Not just having your wicked way with me before doing the walk of shame out of your own damn house.”
“I don’t deserve you, Lilliane. I won’t. Not until he’s out of your life.”
“Heisout of my life. I’m safe here. With you. Because of you. You get that, right?”
“I’m doing my best.”
“Okay, so let me in.”
Atlas nodded. She was asking a lot. So much. Maybe even too much. If he let her in, she could destroy him. She was his mate, and she could walk away, taking with her everything he was scared to want.
Things he wanted with her.
More nights cuddled in his bed. Lazy days on his couch, making love slowly. Cooking for her. Making her hot chocolate when she had nightmares. Maybe a few kids, eventually.
He wanted it all.
“Atlas,” she said softly.
He nodded slowly and closed the distance between them. He cupped her face and licked his lips to keep from kissing her. “Lilliane, I’m going to Nero’s office. We’ve got a plan to get rid of Victor, and I’m doing everything in my power to end this once and for all. I’ll be back late tonight. If you’ll let me, I’d like to hold you while we sleep.”
“I’ve got some changes to that.”
He chuckled and teased, “You would.”
“You’ll be back for dinner. We’ll talk about the cuddling then.” She lifted herself to the tips of her toes and walked toward the kitchen. “I’ll cook.”
“Don’t you dare,” he called out, laughing. “You’ll burn the house down.”
She turned her head to blow him a kiss. “Have a good day saving my life. I’ll be in here earning my keep.”
Atlas sighed, shaking his head. There was no point in arguing with her. His mate knew what she wanted, and apparently, that was more time with him. He should say no. Keep his distance. But he wasn’t that strong. That’s why, at 5:45, he walked through his front door to have dinner with his mate.
EIGHTEEN
LILLIANE
Aquick glance at the clock over the stove made a few beads of sweat roll down Lilliane’s back. She was running late. Atlas would walk through the door in a matter of minutes, and she was still hiding the evidence of her deception.
The brownTails & Syrupcarry-out bags were still on the counter, and she was busy putting their dinner on plates. Maybe breakfast-for-dinner was a silly idea, but she didn’t know the town of Silvers very well. The only restaurant she knew in the area wasTails & Syrup, so she’d sent Jasper to pick up some food.
He was sworn to secrecy. Atlas didn’t need to know she couldn’t even make a pancake.
She stuffed the paper bags in the recycle bin when she heard the front door open and close. It was 5:45, and Atlas was fifteen minutes early.
Of course, he was.
Atlas carefully walked into the kitchen, dramatically sniffing the air. “Okay, there is no smoke. My house is still standing. That’s a good sign. What did you do? Bribe one of the wolves to cook for us?”
“Nope. Not even close.”
