Atticus by R.E. Butler
Chapter Ten
Atticus parked in front of the apartment complex and turned off the engine. He grabbed the bouquet of flowers he’d picked up earlier, then opened his door and climbed out. What he was about to do was so important he was practically shaking with nerves. He wanted the night to go well, for Lori to be happy to be with him and for their relationship to solidify in some way. He would love if she would call him her boyfriend, even though that was a very human term.
Well, he’d love it if they mated and he could claim her as his mate, but that wasn’t going to happen tonight. She had no idea he was a gorilla shifter, or that shifters even existed. He wouldn’t go into a mating without her knowing the truth and he couldn’t tell her the truth; she had to reach the conclusion on her own.
Closing the door to the SUV, he looked up at her door and shrugged off his nerves. He could tell she liked him. She smelled so good when she was thinking sexy thoughts that it made his mouth water. He just had to get her to see that she could have a happily ever after, have a real life with him in the park. Somehow he’d get her there and they could start the first chapter of their lives together.
He knocked on the door and was surprised when she opened it before he finished knocking.
“Atticus!” She grinned at him, her green eyes sparkling with excitement. She threw herself into his arms and kissed him. He was so surprised that he didn’t kiss her back right away, but then his brain engaged, and he wrapped his arms around her, the plastic-wrapped roses crinkling with the motion.
She eased back and linked her fingers behind his neck. “I missed you.”
“Oh? I couldn’t tell.”
She rolled her eyes and giggled. He absolutely loved the sound. “I did. Did you miss me?”
“A million percent.”
“Wow, just a million?”
“Well, I did have work to tend to. Can’t rotate tires without paying attention to them at least a little bit.”
He brought the flowers around, and she took them. “I love roses, and peach is my favorite color! You’re so thoughtful. I wonder if there’s a vase in the apartment.”
“I hope so, if not we can pick one up when we’re out.”
He followed her into the kitchen and helped her look in the cabinets. Sometimes shifter-human couples in the park used one of the apartments as their own place when the human’s family came to visit so it would appear that the park offered employee housing. Cael and Novi were living in the apartment next to Lori’s instead of underground in the elephants’ private living quarters because Lori didn’t know the truth and Novi wasn’t allowed to tell her.
Although it would be tons easier if Lori already knew, then he could explain why she felt so drawn to him and he to her.
“Will this work?” he asked, pulling a heavy glass beer mug from one cabinet.
“I think so, let’s try.” She released the roses from the plastic covering and pulled off the rubber band securing the stems. With kitchen shears, she cut them down a little and set them in the mug. “I like it.”
“Me too.”
She leaned over to smell the roses while he threw away the trash. She filled the mug with water and set the roses on the coffee table. “They’re really beautiful. Thank you so much.”
“I’m glad you like them, and I’m doubly glad they’re your favorite color. I had no idea there were so many colors and I was worried I’d pick one you hated.”
“You did great. Now, what’s in store for us tonight?”
“Dinner, as you know, and then a special dessert back here at the park.”
He caught the subtle sweetness of her arousal as her eyes darkened. “Oh?”
“I mean arealdessert. But I like where your head is at.”
She tilted her head. “How can you tell what I’m thinking?”
“Your eyes get dark when you’re turned on.”
Her mouth fell open. “Are you serious? Oh my goodness!”
He kissed her, unable to hide his laughter. “You’re so cute. I promise I won’t point out how much you want me.”
“Your ego is enormous,” she said with a grin.
“You know it. Oh, wait, did you say ego? Yeah, that’s pretty big too.”
She threw back her head and laughed. He loved their banter. She was so much fun.
“Let’s get out of here before you strip me and have your way with me,” he said.
“That wouldn’t be such a bad idea.”
“It would be the best idea on the planet, but we’ve got reservations. Keep your sexy thoughts to yourself. For now.”
She hummed and took his offered arm. As he escorted her out of the apartment and down to the SUV he saw the two unmarked SUVs with park males in them, waiting just behind his vehicle. “They’re for us?” she asked.
He helped her into the SUV and nodded. “They’re going to keep an eye out for things so that you and I can focus on each other.”
“I love that idea. I think you thought of everything.”
“I’m trying, trust me.”
He shut the door and then climbed behind the wheel and started the engine. One of the vehicles pulled away, then he backed up and followed it to the locked access gate behind the complex. The other SUV followed.
“Did I tell you how beautiful you are?” he asked. “Because you look amazing.”
“Thank you. Novi brought over a bunch of girls to help me get ready. It was so sweet. I love seeing Novi have real friends she can count on. We’ve always kept people at arms’ length so we didn’t cause problems for them with you-know-who.”
“It’s probably easier not to have to say goodbye or explain your situation if you have surface relationships and nothing deep and intimate.”
“It is and it isn’t. We missed out on a lot because of it, and even though we had each other, it was pretty lonely.”
“You’re not alone anymore,” he said. He took her hand and linked their fingers.
“I know. I’m really happy about that. I’m glad we met.” She leaned over and rested her head on his shoulder, and he felt like a damn king. Her trust in him was everything.
Dropping a quick kiss to the top of her head, he said, “I promise you the best first date ever.”
“You’re off to a really good start.”
* * *
The Italian restaurant was spectacular. Devlin had really come through for him. He and Lori sat at the chef’s table in the kitchen and had an amazing meal made special for them. When they’d eaten their fill of tomato and mozzarella drizzled with balsamic, and mile-high lasagna with fresh-baked bread, they thanked the chef for the meal, paid the bill, and left.
“That may have been the best meal I’ve ever had,” she said.
“Me too.”
He opened the SUV door for her, and she paused. “Now for dessert, right?”
“Vixen.”
“Hey, I just want what I was promised. A memorable first date.”
“You’ll get it.”
She gave him a kiss and sat down. He shut the door and turned away, blowing out a breath and working his finger under his collar. His gorilla had a hard time being quiet throughout dinner. Lori smelled amazing, she looked fantastic, and she kept kissing and touching him throughout their meal, like she couldn’t go more than a few minutes without putting her hands or lips on him. And he felt the very same way.
If only she knew how much she affected him.
The conversation was light as they returned to the park with the two security SUVs following. Instead of going to the apartment complex, he stopped at the employee lot and parked. She gave him a curious look but didn’t ask him what they were doing, and he took that as a good sign she trusted him. He took her hand and led her to the employee cafeteria, using a code to unlock the door. The building was dark save for lights in the kitchen area illuminating the day’s leftover meals. He took her to a door which turned out to be roof access, with a steel ladder bolted to the wall.
“Okay, now I have to ask. What’s up?” she said.
“Just trust me, it’ll make sense when we get up to the roof.”
“All right.”
He gave her a quick kiss and hurried up the ladder. When he was on the roof, he turned and watched her climb the ladder, reaching out his hand to help her off. She straightened and let out a gasp.
That afternoon before he’d picked her up from work, he’d created a little rooftop sanctuary for them. A blow-up mattress was covered with blankets and lined with pillows, a cooler held drinks, and a low table had been set up with covered dishes holding the special dessert he’d asked Lexy to make for them.
“Oh, Atticus,” she said, her voice breathy. “It looks amazing.”
“I’m glad you like it. I thought we could have our dessert and look at the stars.”
“That’s the best idea,” she said. “I love it.”
He led her to the mattress, and they sank down onto it, kicking off their shoes and settling back onto the pillows. They talked for a while, then ate the dark chocolate cheesecake and fruit salad. By the time they’d finished dessert and been ready to call an end to the date, he was one hundred percent head over heels for her. She was sweet and funny, protective and honest. And she made his heart sing.
It had only been a day since they met, but he felt like he’d known her forever, and he thought that was how it was supposed to be with soulmates. They just clicked.
If this was their first date, and it was damn spectacular, he couldn’t wait to see what would happen on date number two.
