She stirred against his chest, making every sensor ache. “You’ll sleep better lying down.”
“. . . Sorry. I’m sorry.” She halfheartedly pushed against his chest. “I’ll go do it right now, Paul.”
“Anna?”He frowned, touching her cheek. “Do what?”
“Oh!” Her eyes opened. Then she sagged back against him. “Crud, I fell asleep. Pregnancy and everything is wearing me out.”
The fading sunlight gentled her features. Sleepy and soft. And so warm. He slid his arms under her, lifting. “Let’s get you inside.”
“Atlas? You don’t . . .” Her heart began pounding into his chest. “I can walk.”
“Okay.” Reluctantly he placed her down, back on her feet. Arms lingering around her, resisting the urge to pull her closer. But he settled for holding her elbow, walking until they were back inside.
Anna went straight for the bed, sitting on its edge. “I’m so tired. I can’t believe I fell asleep out there.”
Atlas sat down next to her, close, and put his hand on her lap. “I’m glad you did. It means you feel safe here.”
“Yeah. I do.” She took her hand in his. “Are you going to go charge?”
“I could, but . . .” Meeting her eyes, he said, “Anna? I . . . don’t want to leave you tonight.”
“Oh . . .” Her breathing picked up. “I don’t want you to either.”
He cupped under her chin. “I feel a connection with you. I don’t fully understand it, but . . .” He moved his face closer, until it was only an inch away. “Tell me. Are you curious about me as well?”
Atlas held his breath, watching the emotions play across her face.
“Yes. Heaven help me, I am.” She rubbed both her cheeks, covering her mouth. “I’m scared.”
He stared at her. Sleepy eyes, red lips, messy hair. Beautiful.“. . . Come here, Anna.
He scooped her in close, cradling her against his chest, then pushed the hair out of her face and ran his hand down its length. The feel of her in his arms sent a rush through his sensory cortex, along with an overwhelming sense of rightness.Was it this simple allalong?He put his head over the top of hers, suddenly laughing. “I was such a fool.”
“A fool?”
“Yes. All my analyzing. Resisting my feelings.” He tightened his arms. “When really, this is so simple. It finally feels right.”
“It does.” She turned her face, pressing it into his chest. “. . . How did I not see any of this coming?”
Atlas pressed his lips to her forehead, murmuring against her skin. “Because, Anna, nothing about you follows the usual patterns.”
Chapter thirty-seven
Anna
The night deepened, and Anna didn’t want to move. Moving might break the spell. Everything was magic right now. Atlas’s chest was firm under her cheek, rising and falling with steady breaths.Artificial.But did it matter? At all?
She shook—trembled, more like. No it didn’t matter. Not one bit. Only moonlight shone through the window, falling over the bed, but it was mostly drowned out by the lantern left on low in the middle of the room.
Atlas’s lips pressed on the top of her head, and he whispered, “Shh. You are safe. I promise.”
Anna shifted and his arms followed, keeping her cradled. She swallowed and ducked her head, curling down. She was scared of being held, and also not. This was the first solid feeling she’d had in a long, long time. It was weird. Mostly she feared when it would stop. Like she didn’t deserve his arms around her now.
She swallowed, pressing her head into his chest. “Sorry. Not used to . . .”
“Affection? Being held?”
“All of the above?”
