Page 113 of The Lighthouse Inn (Shattered Cove 4)

“It’s so good.” She smiled. “Please give the chef my compliments.”

He chuckled. “Watching you enjoy my food is all the reward I need.” Atlas traced a finger over her cheek and down her jaw. His grey eyes darkened.

“What else did you make?” she asked.

He opened the other containers before feeding her each and every bite as they shared the feast he’d prepared for them. The wine relaxed her, the conversation excited her, and the company made her body buzz alive with awareness.

“I’d better get you home.” Atlas cleared the empty containers and put them back in the basket.She helped him fold up the blanket and waited outside while he locked up the building that would soon be his restaurant. His hand pressed on her lower back, guiding her to the car. That little touch sent a zing through her body. Energy crackled between them. She buckled up as he loaded their dinner things into the trunk before joining her.

The tension in the car was thick on the drive back to the inn. Was she ready to open up to him completely again? Her body wanted him, but her heart was still hesitant.

They arrived home, and he walked her to her room. She opened the door and turned to him.

Atlas reached out his hand and cupped her face. “I’m not expecting anything from you. I know I still have a lot to prove to you, and I will start tonight. Would you just let me hold you?”

She swallowed, emotion welling up in her throat. Jasmine nodded. “Yes.”

He shrugged off his shirt as she slipped into the bathroom, pajamas in hand. Something about changing in front of him felt too vulnerable. She brushed her teeth and relieved herself, then pulled out an extra toothbrush from under the sink before she set it on the counter. She took a deep breath and walked back into the room to find him sitting on the edge of the bed in nothing but low-hung jeans showing off the defined V of his hips.

“I-I have an extra toothbrush if you want it.”

Half his smile turned up as he stood, trading places with her. “Thank you.”

She climbed into bed. The water in the bathroom turned on. Her nerves melded with her arousal, creating a hurricane of emotions tumbling through her.

A few minutes later, the bed dipped and his warm body pressed against her back. Atlas’s arms wrapped around her, pulling her close to him. “Is this okay?” he asked.

“Yeah.” She turned to lay her head on his chest, running her hand over his soft, olive skin. Is this real? Was this really her life now?

His palm gently rubbed up and down her arm. She closed her eyes, fighting the tears of contentment and joy that lapped the edges of her lashes.

“What are you thinking about?” his deep voice rumbled against her ear.

“I’m just . . . still trying to believe this is real, that you’re here.”

His finger traced over her hand against his chest. “I’m sorry I ever gave you reason to doubt me. I’ll never keep anything from you again, unless it’s to surprise you with something good.” He chuckled, tilting her head to look at him. “I promise to believe you always have the best intentions in mind. I swear to you that if I feel like running again, I’ll stay.”

She rolled over to his arm to get a better view of him.

“I’m more than in this, baby. You’ve taken residence in here.” He pointed to his chest. “You’ve become part of me.” He pressed his hand over her rapidly beating heart. “And you’ve stolen a piece of me I’ll never get back. You’ve captured my heart. And I give it to you freely because I know there is no person on this planet more worthy. I trust you. And I’m gonna remind you every single day just how much you mean to me until you believe it—and then, I’m gonna keep doing it.”

He wiped the moisture from her eyes.

“Loving you is my dream—my passion. You are everything to me.”

She sniffled, her heart bursting with happiness. Joy bounded out, bouncing off the walls and engulfing her in a warm glow of pure love. “You’re too much,” she laughed.

He smirked and kissed her forehead. “I’m just getting started.”

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