Chapter Nineteen
Celine yawned as she heard the door close to the room but knew it must be someone checking on them again. She could still feel Atticus’s warmth behind her on the bed.
It was going to take some time to get used to the sounds of the odd Azilian compound. Even after several days, she really wasn’t quite sure what to think.
The other Vestals that lived there were strange to say the least. Although brainwashed might be the better term. She still wasn’t sure they were the good guys, but at the moment, they didn’t appear to be the bad guys.
Rem had tried to explain the situation to her, but she was still having trouble just wrapping her mind around the small things.
Plus, she’d spent days worried that Atticus might never wake up.
Celine chuckled a little at the memory of telling off the compound’s doctor. She wouldn’t have been surprised if he slept with one eye open for a while. Apparently she could be very scary when there was incentive.
“What are you laughing at?” a deep voice rumbled behind her.
Celine’s eyes shot open at the sound of the sweet voice she had longed to hear these past three days.
She flipped over in the bed and was met by a pair of very blue eyes. She reached out and wrapped her arms around him. Tears streamed down her face as she buried her nose against his neck. A steady pulse thumped there.
Atticus soothed her. His gentle hand swept along her back, rubbing in circular motions.
“I got you baby,” he whispered.
His words only made her cry more.
Celine had been strong during all of this, making sure that every little thing was taken care of. Now that he was awake, she could let out all the worry she had been holding in.
“I thought you weren’t going to make it,” she hiccupped loudly.
Atticus pulled back and stared into her eyes. “I will never leave you,” he said firmly.
Slowly the tears dried, and she was able to smile at him. Her heart was finally able to rest easy now that he was there with her.
Things would be better now. He was awake, and they could figure out just what to do.
A knot formed in her stomach. The thing she had been holding off thinking about was now at hand. There was no hiding from it. Rem and Anassa would need an answer.
“What?” Atticus asked, likely able to sense the change that had swept over her.
“I have to stay here now,” Celine said, unsure of just how to phrase it.
They had barely known one another a month and had only spoken this past week. How in the hell could she ask him to move into the strange building with her? To share in the strange new life she would have to make there?
Atticus nodded. “That was the impression Rem gave as well,” he said, and shrugged. “But as long as we’re together, I really don’t care where we live. We could live in that cave for all I care.”
Tears prickled her eyes. He said with ease the very thing she had been worried about.
Celine leaned forward and pressed a hot kiss to his mouth. When she pulled back, his blue eyes glowed brightly.
“I love you,” she whispered.
The light faded some, but a warmth passed over his face. “And I love you,” he breathed.
Atticus leaned in for another kiss. This one started slow, building before she pulled away, desperate for air.
“I’m sorry this isn’t the sort of freedom you were hoping for,” Celine said, glancing around.
Atticus sighed and leaned back against the bed, pulling her up so she rested her head against his chest.
“I don’t think I ever had a hope for something better in life,” he said softly. “You have shown me what I have been missing. If giving up a part of my freedom will keep you safe, I gladly give it.”
Celine sighed and lay her head against his chest, her fingers sliding over the ridges she could feel through his shirt. “Time in here might be a little more boring than you’re used to.”
Atticus placed a hand over hers and brought it to his lips. “Well then, I guess we’ll just have to make our own entertainment.”
Celine gasped when he flipped her and settled his massive body over her own. “We shouldn’t,” she whispered. “The doctor will be mad.”
Atticus raised a brow. “Pretty sure that doctor isn’t going to risk crossing you,” he mumbled.
She smirked. That was likely true. In truth, since his recovery yesterday, Atticus’s healing had been beyond anything she’d ever heard of. He was likely fully recovered, as if nothing had ever been wrong to begin with. Even the other hybrids seemed impressed.
Atticus wasted no time. Before she could even think, they were naked together, his body wedged between her thighs, spreading her wide as his cock nudged her opening.
Celine reached down and guided him inside her. There were about a million reasons why they shouldn’t, but one very good reason why they should.
Because sometimes there was only the moment to grab, and she’d be damned if she didn’t take all the moments she could.
Atticus slipped deep inside her, filling her.
They moved slowly together, taking their time as he pushed into her, drawing her climax in the sweetest way possible.
When Celine came finally, her muscles clenched hard around him, bringing his climax as well.
Atticus rolled off of her, pulling her with him as they lay together just enjoying the after moment.
“You are my family,” he said softly.
Celine tilted her head to stare into his eyes.
“Where you are will always feel like home,” he said. “No matter what, I will always be with you.”
Celine placed a soft kiss on the blue tattoo near her face. “Family,” she whispered.
It had a nice sound. It was the sort of bond that could weather a storm. That was what she wanted with Atticus.
They were family, and together they would find freedom in their own way. Their love would give it to them.