Page 98 of His to Save

“Okay,” she finally says, nodding once. “Just promise me one thing.”

“Anything,” Ellis says without a lick of hesitation. “Just name it.”

“Be safe.”

Ellis exhales slowly as a smile unfurls until it takes up his entire face. “I didn’t realize you cared so much.”

“Of course, I do, you big idiot,” Nora huffs and rolls her eyes at him. “Just because you’re built like a bear masquerading as a linebacker doesn’t mean you’re invincible.”

Ellis puffs up his chest. “You hear that, man? Your girl thinks I’m stacked.” He flexes, causing his bicep to swell.

Nora’s cheeks bloom the prettiest shade of pink as she turns toward me. “I, you’re?—”

I lean in and silence her with a kiss. “I don’t need you to pander to my ego, Pip. I’m completely secure in how you feel about me.”

She breathes out a sigh of relief. “Good, because I love you more than I could possibly ever put into words.”

I peck her lips again. “Love you, too, pretty girl. So damn much.”

“What are you two lovebirds doing today?” Ellis asks, his eyes volleying back and forth between Nora and me.

She licks her lips and looks at me.

“I was thinking we could work on the nursery.” I clear my throat. “You know, if you want to.”

“Really?” She bounces on her barstool and then launches herself at me. “Thank you, Atlas.”

“Don’t thank me for providing for our son, Pip. It’s my honor and one day, if I’m lucky, we’ll have a whole house of ‘em.”

“You want more than one kid?” she asks in this soft, breathless voice I’m not sure I’ve ever heard her use before.

“Nora.” I cup her cheeks with both hands. “I want any and everything you’ll give me. Be it one kid or ten, as long as it’s with you, I’m golden.”

She bites her lips and sighs happily, all but melting into me.

“Why don’t you go relax for a bit while Ellis and I clean up and then we can head out?”

“Sounds good.” She slides down from my lap, tossing a cheeky finger wave Ellis’s way before retreating back to our room.

“Sunk, my man,” Ellis murmurs, once we hear the door close. “You are so fucking sunk.”

I tip my chin and nod. “One-hundred and ten percent.”

He grins. “I’m not saying I called it or anything, but I totally did.”

“Yeah.” I exhale a laugh. “I guess you did.”

DIARY ENTRY, PRESENT DAY

Dear Diary,

If I didn’t already know Atlas is the best kind of man, last night would have cemented it. He’s every single thing I’ve ever wanted and more.

I’m pretty sure he checks every box on the list I made so many years ago, and even better is I know for certain my dad would have loved him. Atlas is the epitome of the kind of man any father would want for his daughter.

But back to last night… I got a little off track there. The date he planned was nothing short of perfect. From the picnic to the s’mores to the sex. It was all so amazing.

But it’s the sex that really threw me. Being with him was… wow. I honestly didn’t know it could be like that, that it could feel like that.

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