“Come home with me,” he said softly, and my heart actually quivered. “At least for today. Get some rest.”
My eyes widened. “That’s it? You’re just going to let me stay at your house, no questions asked?”
His lips tipped up at one side as he focused on the road.
“No questions asked.”
“You don’t even know me,” I whispered.
He shrugged, like it wasn’t a concern. Maybe he needed to be concerned.
I looked back out the window. We were almost over the bridge, the river twisting and flowing out as far as I could see and disappearing into the forest of trees surrounding it.
“Okay,” I said, conceding. “At least for today.”
At least until he found out who I really was.
Atlas’s house knocked the wind out of me. It was so beautiful. A stunning, midcentury modern style house that sat up high along the bluff overlooking the river. I gaped as Atlas parked the cruiser in the driveway and I slowly exited the vehicle.
“You’re loaded,” I breathed, my eyes scanning the house. It wasn’t as big as some of the neighbors, but I could tell it was spacious. There was a three-car garage off to the side and a giant front porch with a peaked roof.
Atlas walked me to the front door as I gawked. This was yet another reason to stay distant, at least emotionally, from Atlas. I didn’t belong in a life like this.
“My parents were loaded,” he corrected as he unlocked the front door. “We inherited the house after they passed.”
At the mention of his parents again, I sobered. I knew pain like that. Even if it was a long time ago, it never really went away. Not completely.
The inside of the house was as beautiful, if not more, than the outside. The entryway opened to a huge, open-concept living, dining, and kitchen space. The ceiling was high and vaulted, with dark wooden beams.
“Well,” I said, a little breathless. “The house is lovely.”
Atlas led me through the sitting area in the living room. The kitchen was to the right with tall, gray cabinets and a huge island in the center. A large oak dining table sat at the back of the house opposite the kitchen, and behind it was a full wall of windows looking out over the bluff. Atlas led me all the way back, and pressed on one of the glass panes; it gave way under his touch. It was a door that opened onto a large, covered patio.
Most of the yard was taken by the in-ground pool, but that wasn’t what stole my attention. It was the view. My breath caught as I gazed at the river and the rising sun cresting over the horizon.
“You can see everything from up here,” I said, mesmerized. The giant bridge that led over to the quaint little town of Cypress Falls loomed in the distance. Main Street gleamed, its charming shops surrounding it on either side. The marina was visible, and the Riverfront Grill.
Atlas nodded, standing beside me, looking over the town that had been his home for so long. “I think that’s why my parents bought this place. To show us the true beauty of where we grew up.”
He stole my gaze from the spectacle of the bluff. He was just as mesmerizing to look at. “Your parents sound like great people.” I gave him a small smile.
Something in his expression changed, a tightening around his mouth as he cleared his throat and looked away. “Yes, they were.” He turned and walked to the side of the pool.
There was a small structure there, like a pool house or something. I followed Atlas.
“It isn’t much,” he admitted, grabbing his keys again. “There isn’t a full kitchen or anything, but you’re always welcome in the main house whenever you like.”
He opened the door, and I suppressed a gasp. It was absolutely perfect. The space was small but had everything I would need: a seating area with a couch near the front, and a small kitchenette with a little fridge and sink in the corner. A big, fluffy queen size bed sat in the middle against the back wall, surrounded by a white dresser and armoire. There was a door off to the side of the bed that I assumed was a bathroom. But the best part was the giant window that had a perfect view of the river and the town.
I looked at Atlas, stunned. “You really want me to stay here?”
He scrubbed the back of his neck, his eyes cast to the floor. “We can make other arrangements for you if you prefer. You can look at some of the extra bedrooms in the main house or—”
I cut him off with a raised hand. “Atlas,” I said, and his eyes jumped up to meet mine. “This place…it’s absolutely breathtaking.”
Those molten amber eyes brightened.
He nodded, taking his keyring and slipping off a key. He held it out to me. “It’s yours for as long as you need it.”
I hesitated, staring at the silver key. I shifted on my feet, clenching and unclenching my hands. “Am I free to come and go as I like?” I asked quickly, my skin heating.
Atlas frowned, his brow furrowing. “Of course you are. Why wouldn’t you be?”
I didn’t like the way his eyes probed me. I reached for the key, snatching it out of his hand. “No reason.” I gazed down at the little key, then pressed it to my chest. Atlas’s body swam in my vision as tears welled. Good tears this time. I smiled at him. “Thank you, Atlas. Thank you so much.”