Page 52 of Hot Knot Summer
The raw honesty of his statement hits me with almost physical force. I should be grateful for his restraint. Should be relieved he’s acknowledging the terrible timing, the impossibility of whatever this electricity between us might ignite.
Instead, I feel robbed of something I hadn’t even admitted I wanted.
“Right,” I manage, looking away. “Of course.”
“That doesn’t mean I don’t—” He stops and exhales slowly. “Look, I just want you to feel safe with us. No pressure. No expectations.”
I force a smile I don’t feel. “Message received, Chief. You’re offering sanctuary, not seduction. Exactly what I was asking for, right?”
A muscle in his jawflexes. “Emma.”
I gesture toward the road ahead. “Shall we? I’m dying to see your home.”
For a moment, I think he might press further, might crack open this tension between us and examine what lies beneath. Instead, he puts the truck back in gear and continues up the winding path.
“You won’t be disappointed,” he states, and I’m not sure if he’s talking about the tower or something else entirely.
Either way, as we approach what will be my temporary home, I have the sinking feeling that disappointment is the least of my worries.
The truck rounds a bend, and the trees part to reveal our destination. I forget whatever clever retort I was forming as I stare up, mouth slightly agape.
“That’s... you live there?”
The building before us rises like something from a fantasy novel. A large rustic cabin forms the base, all golden wood and stone, with large windows reflecting the morning light. But what makes it truly spectacular is the fire watchtower that extends from its center, reaching skyward on sturdy supports. The tower is crowned with a glass-enclosed observation room, surrounded by a wraparound deck that offers what must be breathtaking 360-degree views of the surrounding wilderness.
“Home sweet home,” Atlas states, but there’s a hint of pride in his voice as he watches my reaction.
“It’s incredible,” I breathe as he parks beside a sleekblack SUV that must belong to one of his packmates. “How did you even?—”
“Lots of work,” he says, cutting the engine. “We’ve been building it ourselves over the last few years. The tower was decommissioned decades ago, but the structure was still sound.”
I climb out of the truck, tilting my head back to take in the full height of the tower. A hawk circles lazily above, as if completing the picturesque scene.
“The stairs look much more daunting from down here,” I mutter, eyeing the wooden staircase that spirals around the exterior of the tower.
“They’re worth the climb,” Atlas assures me, retrieving my backpack from the truck before I can protest. “The view from up top will make you forget all about your burning cabin.”
“That’s a pretty high bar,” I quip. “I was rather attached to that smoke inhalation.”
He chuckles, gesturing for me to follow him. “Let’s get you settled. Levi should be inside, but River got called to assist with a hiker rescue this morning.”
The front door opens onto a space that simultaneously makes me want to gasp and curl up with a good book. The interior is exactly what you’d expect from three Alphas with excellent taste or at least one with excellent taste who bullied the others into submission. Wide-plank hardwood floors stretch throughout an open floor plan, with a massive stone fireplace in a living area furnished with deep leather couches that look sinfully comfortable.
The kitchen along the far wall is rustic and modern, with butcher block countertops, a farmhouse sink, and high-end appliances. Windows everywhere frame the forest views, like living artwork. I’m suddenly envious of not having such a gorgeous home.
“This is...” I struggle to find words adequate for the space.
“Acceptable?” Atlas suggests with a smile.
“It’s like someone took the coziest cabin Pinterest board and made it real,” I admit, wandering into the living room. “Please tell me you didn’t design this yourself, or I’ll have to hate you on principle.”
“Levi’s the design genius. River and I just provide the muscle and occasional veto power.”
I run my fingers along the back of a butter-soft leather couch. “Well, it’s obscenely perfect.”
“Atlas?” Levi calls from somewhere deeper in the house. “Is that you?”
“Yeah,” Atlas calls back. “Got Emma with me.”
