Page 49 of Blood Saved

“A triple chocolate cake,” he grinned. “Butyou’rethe sweet thing I want,” he whispered in her ear.

TWENTY-FOUR

LILLIANE

When Lilliane woke the next morning, Atlas wasn’t in bed. She didn’t think for a second he left the house without saying goodbye. If she knew him … and she thought she did … he would be in the kitchen, making coffee or some elaborate breakfast that would no doubt be covered in syrup. The man was part sugar at this point.

She giggled to herself because it was a good description for Atlas. He was the sweetest, most caring man she ever knew. And to think he’d been an asshole in a very specific way in the first few seconds of their acquaintance.

She hopped out of bed and padded down to the kitchen in his tee. She did it to be cute, but she couldn’t stop smelling it. It was like her own cocoon of Atlas. He grinned at her when she walked into the kitchen.

“Morning, trouble. How did you sleep?”

“No nightmares,” she cheered. “But it’s not like I’m asleep long enough tohavea nightmare. My guy is pretty horny. On me twenty-four-seven.” She giggled when he took her by the hips and kissed her neck.

“Is that right? That isn’t how I remember it.”

She threw her head back with a laugh as he nipped the tender flesh of her neck. “How do you remember it?”

“I’m just a man trying to get to sleep, and this hot little thing puts her hand on my chest and nuzzles it like she’s trying to settle there. What am I supposed to do?”

She giggled. “Make love to me.”

He chuckled against her mouth. “You asking, trouble?”

She tickled his side. “Guess I walked right into that one.”

Atlas kissed the side of her head and laughed. “You in the mood for fruit salad?”

“Sure. But is that sweet enough for you?”

“Oh, I’ve got fresh whipped cream and hazelnut chocolate drizzle.”

“How are youthisbuff and eat that much sugar?”

Atlas tilted his head back and howled like the wolf he was. Lilliane cracked up and shoved against his chest when he started sniffing her, tickling her sensitive skin with his morning scruff.Bliss.This was actually bliss. Never in her wildest dream did she think she would be this happy with a man, especially not so soon after meeting him. He was hers now, and she was his, and she wouldn’t change it for anything.

“Do you have big plans today? Any recon to do away from the house?”

Atlas shook his head. “No. Nero and Reece are taking care of that. Your sisters are hanging out together to cut down on manhours for the day.”

“Right. It’s not like Victor would be walking around right now.”

“Your sisters can come here if you like.” He washed his hands, took hers in his, and led her onto the back deck. He nudged his chin to an easel and stool. There was a little suitcase full of paints, and a long glass vase held a bunch of paintbrushes. “You said you’d like to paint. I figured you would like this. Maybe give it a shot. I know you don’t like leaving the house, but I can set up right there to do my work and watch over you. It’s sun…”

“Sunlight,” she finished for him in a whisper. “You bought me paint supplies…”

“I did. Is that okay? Did I overstep?”

She shook her head, her eyes watering. “This is so sweet, Atlas. I think this might be the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for me. I love it. I loveyou.” It slipped out before she had a chance to take it back. Her eyes went wide, but he smiled at her.

“Shock yourself there?”

She laughed nervously. “Maybe.”

“You know this means I love you, right? I’m not gonna say it enough, but I’ll show you every way I can, Lilliane.” He pushed her hair over her shoulder. “I still haven’tsaidit, have I?” He looked deep into her eyes as she shook her head. He leaned down and pressed a kiss to her temple before whispering in her ear, “I love you, Lilliane.” She shivered at the words and closed her arms around him.

“Good. I mean, I knew. Why else would you do all this, right? But it’s nice to hear. It’s also nice that you love me so much that you surprised me with paint supplies because I mentioned it once.”

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