Chapter 22

An hour later, after enjoying each other's company, they headed back to the dock. Will had pre-packed snacks and drinks onto the boat which they'd enjoyed. But the temperature started to drop and the night approached quickly. Vanessa told them it was going to rain but no one else seemed to think so because there was no indication that it would rain. However, they headed back to shore before it got any darker.

Atlas was the first to get out. He tied the rope to the cleat and got the boat in place for them to get out. Will passed the cooler to Atlas before he got out and helped Vanessa out of the boat. He grabbed the cooler and headed towards the house with her.

Atlas turned to help Makenna out of the boat. Her gaze went from his hand to his face and she gave him a suspicious look.

"I'm not going to bite."

The boat was slightly shaky but Makenna could've easily made it out on her own. However, she placed her hand in his and hopped off. She was standing right in front of him when she pulled her hand out of his, avoiding his gaze.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome." Atlas pulled his gaze from her face and stared over her head at the water. He had the urge to linger but he turned and headed up the dock,

Makenna looked at him as he walked away and she bit her tongue.

Don't.

She warned herself,

"Is this how it's going to be?" She called out to him, betraying a part of herself for voicing her thoughts,

Atlas came to a stop and took a breath before he turned around to look at her,

"This is what you wanted."

"No, it's not." Makenna didn't like the feelings that were quickly rising to the surface, "I never meant for you to stay away."

Atlas worked his jaw as he pulled his gaze away from her. He clenched his hands and against all his better judgment, he stalked towards her and came to a stop a feet away from her.

"Then please, Mac," Atlas let out a breath as he fixed his gaze on her, "Tell me what you meant,"

Makenna couldn't explain what was going on internally but it almost felt like adrenaline. Better than what she felt when she was in the ring.

"I don't..." She was unable to form thoughts or words,

Atlas let his gaze linger on her face for a second before he turned around to walk away. Makenna reacted before she could think, quickly reaching out, she grabbed the cuff of his sleeve and held on. She couldn't explain why she wanted him to be near, but she did. Atlas froze when he felt her strong hold on his sleeve. He clenched his jaw, not allowing himself to think it was what he wanted it to be. But with a slow exhale, he turned his head, his gaze immediately going to his hand to find her small ones clenched around his shirt's cuff.

Atlas forgot how to breathe in that moment. His gaze unhurriedly but desperately trailed up her hand to her beautiful face with a look in her eyes he couldn't decipher. Her lips were slightly parted like she was going to say something but was unable to get it out. Her green eyes pierced his and he had to clench his other hand to hold himself back from reaching out to grab her. Everything in him wanted to, but he wasn't going to put himself in that position again.

This is her move.

He thought.

Makenna's heartbeat echoed in her head at .25 speed as she gazed into his eyes. The feeling that overwhelmed her was unlike anything she'd ever experienced before. The urge grew and it was so easy to give up control and fall into the sinking feeling. And everything happened in slow motion as she took a step closer to him, then another, all the while still holding onto his cuff.

The second step was close enough but the third one brought her a couple of inches close to his chest. She liked the way he was gazing down into her eyes and she would've smiled if she wasn't all woven in nerves. With her other hand, she reached up and cupped his jaw, sliding her hand to the back of his head, she pulled him down to meet her halfway. And in a slow hesitation, her lips found his and she kissed him softly.

Atlas was unresponsive at first but when he felt her about to pull away, he leaned in and deepened the kiss, taking control effortlessly. He unclenched his hand and grabbed her waist, pulling her closer to him. He flipped his other hand, palm facing up, and grabbed her wrist that had remained on his cuff the entire time. Then he lifted her hand and placed it on his chest savouring the kiss even more with her in his arms like that.

The kiss felt like it ended just as quickly as it'd started, but it was longer. Atlas reluctantly brought the kiss to an end and he let his forehead rest on her as they caught their breath. Makenna kept her eyes closed as her shoulders rose and fell in a rapid attempt to get some air in her lungs. Atlas opened his eyes and watched her for a moment, then he let go of her hand which she kept flat on his chest. He reached out to tuck her hair behind her ear, letting his thumb and forefinger trace the tips of her ear which made her shy away from his touch just a bit.

Her lips were wet and red from the kiss and it made him want to kiss her again. But he had to know what she was thinking before he made his move. Where Makenna was concerned, he needed to be careful.