Page 96 of Killer Confections

He said it and he fuckingmeantit.

My thoughts are clashing because one, it’s way too early in our relationship—marriage?—to say that. Two, he just smiled after he said it, like he didn’t expect me to say it back. Three, and the most insane thing, Imaybe in love with him too, but just freaked out about saying it.

Oh, god am I crazy by association? Atlas said he was diagnosed. I’m not sure if that was a joke, but if his insanity is airborne, I’m pretty sure I contracted it.

Yes, just blame it all on him.

That’s the mature thing to do, Loxley, instead of just facing your feelings like a big girl.

I follow Atlas back to the compound and tell Alana and Thalia good night when I drop them off.

Before she leaves, Alana leans into the passenger window. “Do you want to stay with us tonight? If you need some time—”

I shake my head. “No, Atlas and I still need to talk. I think I’ve done enough running today.”

She gives me an encouraging look. “You guys will work itout.”

I return her smile before driving the short distance back to Atlas’s—our—home. He’s waiting by the garage door as he leans against his bike, his ankles crossed. He pushes up the moment he sees me before walking over and opening my car door for me.

He holds a hand out, taking mine as he helps me out of the car. “Are you okay?”

I nod, feeling a little vulnerable after the night I’ve had. “I’m fine.”

He sighs, pushing a hand through my hair and tucking a strand. “I should have known better than to tell you how I feel after—”

I press my fingertips to his lips, effectively shushing him. “Don’t do that, Atlas. Don’t apologize for saying you love me.”

His brow pinches, and when he speaks, his voice is muffled against my hand. “You just went through something traumatic—”

“And I love you too,” I rush, my nerves fluttering in my stomach. My cheeks feel like they’re on fire, but I don’t stop. “I was shocked and maybe the situation wasn’t the greatest—”

“Saying I love you after almost dying never is.”

“—but I needed to hear that in the moment. I was still reeling and coming down from something that shook me up. Hearing you say that grounded me and maybe I was thinking of saying it soon, too. I just didn’t know how…”

As I speak, his smile only grows until he’s cheesing ridiculously hard against my fingers. At the end of my little speech, he takes my wrist and presses little nipping kisses to my fingers, making it extremely hard to focus.

“Let’s get your bags out of the trunk,” he whispers before leaning down. “What did you get for me, hmm?”

Fire erupts in my belly as embers burn down my cheeks and chest. I look up at him through my lashes, “I guess you’ll have to see…”

He hums in my ear as his lips feather light kisses along my cheek. “Are you gonna give me a show?”

My teeth scrape my bottom lip as I shiver. “Yes.”

“Good.” He slaps my ass, jolting me forward before he heads to the trunk. He grabs everything, loading his arms down with bags as he motions for me to walk ahead. My skin prickles as I open the grave door and walk into the dark, connected kitchen. Atlas walks past me with everything, and I watch his back muscles flex as he moves gracefully across the house.

He sets everything down in the bedroom before trekking back to the couch and relaxing back against the cushions. He slings an arm over the back of the sofa, giving me a lazy look.

He looks so…fuckable.

My eyes trail over his muscled thighs, and his toned, thick stomach.

I could just sink my teeth into him.

My eyes snag on the pink scrawl near the base of his throat. My name stares back at me and an overwhelming emotion washes over me.

The need to touch him and be near him becomes almost unbearable.