“Ember was pretty upset when Huggy went back to the shelter. I think she thought he was her puppy.”
“Oh, that’s adorable. Could you handle another dog? And not just any dog…Huggy’s a liability.”
“I like him. Ember was a handful too when I adopted her. She was a little traumatized by being left by her owners in a derelict apartment. There was an electrical fire and I just got to her intime. You know how big she is? She was clinging to me like a little monkey.”
“Poor baby.” I press a little closer to him.
“It took a while for her to settle. The stealing clothes thing is new, I’m not sure where that came from. But she’s like the unofficial mascot of the firehouse. I couldn’t imagine her not being around.”
I stare up into his eyes. Last night, I went over and over that wonderful kiss in my head. I’m safe when I’m with him, like I’m sheltered from the storm.
I stand on tiptoes and press my lips against his. His hands tighten on my waist and he lifts me up, his body pressed against my curves, his cock hard against me. I gasp a little as he kisses me back, our mouths moving together, the world around us blotted out. He slowly sets me down again as he breaks the kiss, keeping my body tight against his.
“Can I drive you home? I’d like to see you back safely.”
I nod. “I’ll just get my stuff. You better give Lucas Slate all the info about his ten thousand dollar lunch!”
Atlas grins. “Well, he needs to prepare himself for Brock’s cooking…”
The air is crisp outside as I walk over to the little hut at the end of the winding path where we’re keeping our personal belongings. Putting on my coat and grabbing my bag, I start to walk back to the Lodge. My wrist is grabbed, too tightly, and I wince in pain. I’m spun around, my stomach lurching. Lenny squeezes my wrist even harder and I yelp.
“What the fuck were you doing, Hailey? You were kissing that firefighter in front of everyone. How could you cheat on me?” His eyes are blazing and the striped shirt he’s wearing is disheveled.
I wrench my hand away. “Leave me alone. I’ve made it clear you’re harassing me. Why are you here?”
“I told you. I’m coming to live here.” His head whips around as a couple starts to make their way up the path. I use the opportunity to run as fast as I can back to the Lodge.
Atlas meets me in the hallway by the big, arched front door. “Hailey? What’s wrong, beautiful?”
I can’t speak, trying to catch my breath, pushing my hair away from my face. He looks down and takes my wrist gently in his hands. There’s a red mark on it and I’ll probably have a bruise there later.
His eyes are dark. “Who did this to you?”
I wince. “I have a stalker. Someone who I went on a few dates with who won’t take no for an answer. Lenny.”
“Where is he?” His voice is a low rumble.
“On the path outside. Shall we just go?”
He shakes his head. “You stay here. I’ll deal with him.”
Atlas walks out of the door, his footsteps crunching down the path. It’s quiet for a moment, then shouts break the silence. There’s a slamming noise and then a cracking sound, followed by the shattering of glass. I close my eyes, then blink them open as Atlas comes back into the Lodge.
His voice is full of concern. “My little comet. That lowlife won’t be bothering you again.”
I sag against him in relief. “What happened?”
“Now he knows he has me and my brother on his tail, plus the entire Fire Department and every cop in town. And I showed him what happens when you stalk, threaten, and harass the girl I love.”
I suck my breath in. “Love?”
He bends his head down and kisses me. “Love. I love you, little comet. Let me take care of you and keep you safe.”
A warm heat rises in my core as he presses his massive body into mine again. “Can we go home?”
“Of course.”
On the drive home, I glance over at Atlas. “I’m sorry you had to deal with Lenny. I got involved with the wrong person–”
