ChapterEleven
“My father had no control.He was like a wild animal when he attacked.He enjoyed causing others to suffer.”As a rule, Atlas didn’t discuss his father.Plenty of people had wanted to talk to him about his father over the years—reporters, private investigators, women who just loved the thrill of fucking a villain and they thought Atlas was that villain…
The devil’s son.
Typically, Atlas just had one response for them all.He’s burning in hell.He’s exactly where he needs to be.But, Lily wasn’t like the others.And he actually found himself wanting to talk more with her.Because maybe…
Does she understand?Could she understand?
Instead of appearing alarmed, Lily nodded as she stared out of the window.“I never wanted to be like my mother.”
Ah, sweet Lily.“I just met your ex-lover.He’s still alive and breathing.I’d say that means youaren’tlike her.”
Her long lashes flickered as her head tilted, and her stare shifted to the diary near her.“As far as what the book is worth—it’s worth a great deal to me.The diary, that is.”A long inhale.Her shoulders straightened.Her spine stiffened.“You helped me a great deal by retrieving it.Retrieving, not stealing.So tell me what you want.Tell me how I can repay you.”Her gaze came back to him.“Make your demands.”
I want you to fuck me.The words would be so easy to say.When Lily was near—even if they were handcuffed in hell—he wanted her.His physical reaction to her was so far over the top that it should probably scare him.Then again, plenty of things in this world should have scared him.
They never had.Truth be told, Atlas could not remember the last time he’d ever been afraid of anything or anyone.
Maybe I never have been.Because maybe his emotions didn’t work properly.
But…as he stared at Lily…
He didn’t want her fucking him because sheowedhim.He also didn’t want to say those words to her because—Lily wasn’t some whore.She wouldn’t trade her body for a damn book, no matter how important it was to her, and he would never, ever cheapen Lily in any way.He could want her, he could lust after her, but…
I will not hurt her.Not Lily.She’d be the one thing in this world that he never damaged.The one thing he protected.He could have one thing, couldn’t he?“You saved my life.Giving you a book is the least I could do.Consider the matter settled.”He closed his eyes.Maybe it would be easier to keep his control—because it was far too frayed—if he didn’t look straight at Lily.“You still shouldn’t have fucked the Fed,” he muttered.“He wasn’t worthy of you.”Maybe he should go back and break the guy’s fingers so he’d know not to touch her.
Wait.Was that over the top?Maybe.Probably.He really did need some sleep.He’d think more clearly after sleeping.And his damn head had been aching dully all night.
He heard the rustle of her clothing.He figured she was scooting away.
Instead, her leg brushed against him.“Let me guess…I shouldn’t have fucked Gage, but I should fuck you?Because you’re…uh,worthyof me?Does that pickup line always work for you?”
“I don’t usually have to bother with pickup lines.Honestly, a lot of talking isn’t needed.Women fuck me because I’m stupid rich.”
“Well, I don’t fuck men because they’re stupid rich.”
“No, I didn’t think you did that.I think you are very, very choosy when it comes to your lovers.”He actually knew every lover she’d had.Their names were in his Lily file.In case he had to kill them.
A joke, of course…
Or maybe not.He kept his eyes closed but not seeing her wasn’t helping with the temptation he felt.If anything, his senses seemed heightened.Her vanilla scent enveloped him, the softness of her leg against his maddened him.He wanted to reach out, lock his hands around her waist, lift her up, and fuck her right there.In the back of the moving limo.“I am not worthy of you, don’t make that mistake.”
“Uh, you’re kinda running hot and cold on me.”
His eyes opened.His head turned toward her.“I will not be an easy lover.You need to know exactly what you’ll get with me.I am demanding.With you, I will be possessive.”Probably to an extreme degree.
“And youaren’twith others?”
“You will be different.”And I may not be able to let go.
“I’ve always been different.That’s the problem.”
No, that was the perk.“You don’t need to worry about me today.Or tomorrow.”
A little line appeared between her brows.
“I won’t fuck you when you’re falling off an adrenaline high.I won’t take you when fear still beats in your heart or when you’re dead on your feet from exhaustion.There won’t be any excuses later, no reasons for regret.You’ll come to me, you’ll choose me…and I will possess you.”
