Page 289 of Chandelier Sin
“This happiness you bring is kind of addictive.”
Atticus embraced me again, and I melted into him.
He whispered into the shell of my ear, “Can I say it now?”
I held my breath, unsure, wanting and needing to hear him share his feelings for me, and yet hesitant in case I would hear doubt in his tone.
I’d never loved a man the way I loved him.
“I know,” he said softly. “You need time. I get that. Whatever you decide for your future, I’d very much like to be part of that if it’s what you want. If you need to go away for a while and get California behind you, I’ll honor that decision. It won’t be easy, but you know I’ll be there for you in whatever capacity you need.”
“Thank you, Atticus.”
“Atti,” he whispered. “I like it when you call me that.”
“Atti.” I breathed in his rich cologne and sank further against his chest.
“You say I set you free, Eve. Well, you did the same for me. I never believed the agonizing guilt I felt over my sister would ever lift, but tonight, with all we did at Pendulum, I found solace.”
At last.
They were the words I’d needed to hear ever since he’d first told me of his loss weeks ago.
I clutched him, silently honoring this landmark moment, respecting his epiphany, cherishing it.
He pressed his lips to my forehead. “As I’m now allowed to tell you how much I care about you, I need you to know my love for you is unconditional. It’s a fire in my belly that burns bright. A fugue state I never want to wake from. A profound love that proves I’ve finally found my place in this universe. I want you here beside me, if you’re willing.”
Curling my fingers around his nape, I closed my eyes and savored each word, feeling calm now that I knew I’d been just as much a blessing to him.
“Now I’m allowed to say the words,” he joked, nudging me away, so that we could stare into each other’s eyes to witness the truth with clarity.
“I love you. I love you. I love you.” Grinning, he shook his head as though waking from a dream. “You are all I need and want. I want to be the man you deserve.”
“I love you, Atti Sinclair.”
“Thank fuck for that,” he said huskily. “Or I wasn’t sure what I’d do with myself.”
“You always sensed it though, right?”
“It was always going to be on your terms, Eve. After everything you’ve been through, you deserve that.”
Finally, I broke away. “I should check on Eloise.”
He took my hand in his and led me toward the stairwell. We ascended together, walking quietly so as not to wake her.
Both of us entered his bedroom, tiptoeing, and stood by the bed, peering down at the sleeping child. Her expression was peaceful.
He gave her a look of adoration and whispered, “I think I might make a cool dad, what do you think?”
“You already are,” I whispered. “You fought off the monsters for us. In turn, we’ll chase away the shadows and keep you in the light.”
“Say it.” He caressed my arm. “Ask the question.”
“Can we stay in this sanctuary you’ve created?”
His eyes brightened. “How do you feel about us trying out eternity together?” he asked, smiling at me tenderly.
I leaned against him and whispered, “So this is what it means to be home.”
We stood together in the tranquil moonlight that pouredin through the balcony door, casting its eternal light upon us. Serenaded by the crashing waves, we stole back lost time.
Every moment moving forward was nowours.Our fates would be forever intertwined.
And the underlying force that would always prevail was thepurest love.
