Chapter 5 Atlee
FIVE
ATLEE
Being alone in Devlin’s space is different from what I imagined it would be.
I always thought if I were given the chance, I’d be nosy and try to figure out all his secrets.
Instead, I can’t seem to make myself leave the bed.
It smells like him, and I feel safer here than I have anywhere in my entire life.
Glancing around, I wonder what his plans were when he decided to move in here.
Had he been planning to invite a woman? Was it done for one in particular?
Was it always his plan to be alone and just invite women when he had an itch to scratch?
All stuff I’ve thought about, but never been able to ask.
I’m not used to lying around all the time.
Back when I lived at home with my parents, I would’ve gotten my ass beat had I decided to do that.
So I make myself get out of bed and head to the bathroom.
A shower is exactly what I need, but since I don’t have any clothes to wear, I go back and forth on what I should do.
Worst comes to worst, I can get in Devlin’s clothing and get at least a shirt and a pair of shorts.
When I get into the bathroom, I’m surprised.
The house is little more than a cabin with one bedroom, a living area, and a kitchen, but the bathroom?
This must be where Devlin spends most of his time.
The bathtub is huge, a walk-in shower sits to the side with what looks like a steam option and a seat to relax on, and there’s a hell of a view of the mountains from the picture window right above the tub.
This must be how Devlin relaxes after long days of hard work.
Searching around, I find some Epsom salt and start pouring a hot bath.
It’s exactly what I need to get rid of the soreness in my muscles.
Once the large tub is full, I take off my clothes and sink down, more than enjoying the way the warm water encompasses my body and blocks out all the noise of the world around me.
I must doze off slightly, because I wake up with a start, my heart pounding when I hear a door open and shut.
It takes me right back to the pharmacy, when I wasn’t paying attention to who was coming or going.
My hands shake as I put them over my breasts, trying to hide myself from whatever eyes are accompanying the footsteps heading toward the bathroom.
“Atlee, it’s me.”
Devlin’s deep, dark voice brushes over me like a calming stroke on my back. Immediately, I feel safe again, like nothing is going to touch me while he’s here. “In the bathroom. In the tub, actually.”
He comes to the doorway, holding a bag in his hand. “Saw Lennon and grabbed this for you. She’s worried about you.”
“I know she is. It’s her nature. You let her know I’m okay?”
He nods, grunting. “She knows. Does she believe it? That’s another story.”
I grin. He clocked her from a mile away. “Thank you for at least talking to her about it. That’s half the battle. Now, why do you have such an amazing bathroom with this view? Do you spend a lot of time in here?”
He comes in, slow rolling those long legs and lean hips of his before setting the bag down and taking a seat on the edge of the tub.
His hot gaze travels over my body, and it takes everything I have not to cover up.
None of the boys my age have ever made me feel as seen as this man does.
“The one thing I always wanted out in the field was a hot shower or a nice soak. So when I came home and decided to build this place, I knew what I wanted.”
“And you got it?”
“And I got it.”
There’s something inherently attractive about a man who knows what he wants and goes for it.
Tilting my head to the side, I can’t help but flirt with him.
I shouldn’t, because I don’t know where any of this is going, but I do, regardless of whether it’s the right thing to do or not. “Do you always get what you want?”
The look he gives me is one of ownership as his gaze takes in my naked body.
The tongue that made my knees weak last night licks his lips, and it takes everything I have for me not to come out of the water and attack him.
I’ve never been what most would call in tune with my body.
I’ve heard friends, my sister included, talking about how they’ve had fun with men, how they were wrecked by whomever they were dating.
Before Devlin last night? I never had that.
But I just did, and now I want more of it.
“Yeah,” he answers. “I do usually get what I want.”
I’m playing with fire. “Am I something you want?”
A groan fills the room as he drags a hand through his hair. The ink on his arm is captured by the light from the window. “Yeah.” He pulls his bottom lip between his teeth. “Yeah, you’re somethin’ I want.”
My eyes meet his, the heat flaring between the two of us. “What are you going to do about it?” I whisper, pulling my legs up in front of my chest.
He leans in, and my breath hitches. Having him this close, I can smell the woodsy scent that’s his, coupled with the outdoors.
“What I’d like to do is take these clothes off and slide in there next to you.
That’s what I’d love to do about it. Unfortunately, I have to go help Jesse and Truett move some cattle into the south field.
I’ll be back later. You gonna be here when I get here? ”
This is the first time he’s asked me about what I plan to do. “I’ll be here. Hurry home, Devlin.”
Curling a finger under my chin, he tips it up. “If you’re waiting here for me? This’ll be the quickest I’ve ever worked.” With those words, he takes a kiss that sends heat through my body and dreams of the future through my head.