I tilted my head. “Who would ever do such a thing? They sound like the real monsters.”
She huffed. “They are. Humans can be far scarier than any legends about ancient monsters or paranormal creatures.”
My chest vibrated, trying to give her comfort.
“I would never hurt my Kassie.”
She smiled and cupped my face. “I know you never would, and that’s why, as crazy as all this is, I’ve fallen in love with you too.”
Chapter Twenty-two
Kassie
Ididn’t know a moth could be so… domesticated.
The smell of rich, hot chocolate, mingled with cinnamon and butter, caught my attention almost immediately when I stirred.
The room was dark, with only a few candles decorating the space. At first, I thought it was meant to be romantic, but I suspected it was simply because he didn’t have a lamp. It was peaceful in the bedroom now—so different from the night before.
We had both been animals, and I had been begging for it.
And yet… why was I hesitating to step out of his bedroom and reveal myself? He had seen me completely naked, every part of me, and I was too shy to walk out and help with breakfast?!
I tugged on the borrowed red plaid shirt, trying to make it cover more of me. Fat chance. The back had been cut open for wings, which left me as exposed as if I were wearing one of those drafty hospital gowns that never quite closed in the back.
Atlas started humming a song, and I bit my lip.Just go in there.
We told each otherI love youlast night. It shouldn’t be that hard.
But it was. Because while I lay naked, lost in pleasure and laughter and too many orgasms to count, the most vulnerable part of me was exposed. I could get hurt.
What if foreverwasn’tforever? Even though I wanted it to be?
That was why I stayed away from ‘human’ men. I’d seen what happened to my mom.
My fingers tightened around the soft fabric until my knuckles turned white.
What if Atlas expected me to give up my career for some domestic moth-wife fantasy? What if my independence disappeared the moment I said those three little words?
My chest tightened with every heartbeat, and I blinked rapidly against the hot sting of tears welling behind my eyelids.
Something soft and feathery brushed over the top of my head, then traced down my cheeks. A high-pitched whine followed… so full of concern it nearly shattered my heart.
“My soul, why are you crying? Are you in pain?”
My breath caught in my throat, the tenderness of his worry only making the tears spill faster.
My voice cracked as I whispered, “I’m okay.” The words hung between us while Atlas’s antennae twitched forward, reading the truth in my trembling lips and watery eyes.
He huffed and swept me off my feet, carrying me with one arm under my legs and the other behind my back. His confidence had bloomed in such a short time—I didn’t even recognize this male.
Atlas carried me to the table and settled me onto his lap, his movements gentle despite his strength. He reached for a steaming mug of hot chocolate, the rich aroma wafting between us as he offered it to me. "This helps," he murmured, his voice a soft rumble against my back. "Sweet things have a way of making troubles seem less important."
I gave him a doubtful look but took a sip anyway. The warm chocolate coated my tongue, surprisingly soothing as it slid down my throat. Something about the rich sweetness melted the knot in my chest. I rested my cheek against his warm chest and murmured, "Thank you."
Atlas’ body vibrated. I could hear his wings flutter behind him. “Anything for the other half of my soul. I must take care of it.”
My eyes widened, and I stared off into the distance.
