I lean in closer, lips brushing his cheek, before I reach his ear and whisper in a way so each word grazes his skin.
“I’m wearing nothing but your shirt and a belt around my neck. Take a look around this room. Notice how men are staring like they want to bend me over and useyourbelt to hold me while they fuck me from behind. How’s that make you feel,wolf? Are you okay withsomeone eye-fucking what you consider yours?”
Atlas pulls away ever so slightly, eyes narrowing at me. Then his gaze shifts, meticulously scanning the room. Men are indeed staring, and I don’t know, nor care, if it’s with the intent I so vividly portrayed, but once the lewd picture is imbued into his mind, it’s all he’ll perceive.
I gloat when his expression turns crazed, jaw tensing to the point he’s likely straining a muscle there, and his hands form fists while holding me.
He reaches for the belt, boring into my eyes while pulling it off. To my surprise, he doesn’t put it back on his jeans, but ties it on my waist instead, making his shirt look more like a dress on me.
Cupping my cheeks for a long moment, his eyes rake in my features. But then he lowers his hands along with his head, and whatever he was about to say dies on his tongue. Then his attention lands back on me.
“Let’s get you home, baby.”
Home? No such place for me.
His palm slides into mine in an attempt to lead the way, but the need to correct him overtakes.
“To my dorm.”
The way his brows knit tells me he doesn’t need me to clarify further. He understands.
“To your dorm,” he confirms, before resuming his stride for the door, making me feel like a kite taken by the wind, struggling to keep up with his pace.
Exactly three steps are all I take before glancing back at Raven.
And I’m screwed.
Our eyes lock, and it takes her split seconds for the shock to register as a single tear drops down her cheek. She strides in my direction, and my eyes widen, giving her a subtle shake of the head, warning her not to do what she’s about to. Raven is the only one who knows me as well as Milo did, and she freezes.
God, I missed her so much!
An under-the-radar nod. That’s all I offer her, hoping no one notices this whole interaction.
Atlas keeps leading the way, clueless about what’s happening.
I must admit, his touch gives me a false sense of security, which I have to reevaluate, because it’s all kinds of wrong. With the way I’m running the game, it won’t be long before those same hands that I enjoy the touch of will strive to kill me.
Giving Raven a final look, I exit the place, as Atlas pulls me along toward his car. I knew this might happen. I should’ve contacted her. I was so close to having my cover blown.
I was on the verge of reaching out a million times, but if I had told Raven what happened, she would’ve led a literal war against Mason Holt in the blink of an eye, resulting in many more lives being lost in the process. And I would’ve been risking her safety, which, in my book, is unacceptable.
How I wish I could stay here, hug her, tell her everything. That last part I will in case I survive my endeavor.
I’ll have to be extra careful when seeing her, because I can’t let anything lead to me being uncovered for who I really am and what I’m after. Not now, when everything is going according to plan, and I have Atlas’s commitment. Maybe even more.
Raven is going to be furious at me for not contacting her sooner, but that would have to be a fight for tomorrow, because my current battle with the man who holds my hand is nowhere near over, and I’m struggling to defend my front line. The rear one too.
Chapter 19
Atlas
Idon’t want you to leave.
That’s what I should’ve said back in the house. I wish it were only about spreading her legs and burying myself inside her until she forgets how to put them back together. Then it would be simple.
But it’s not. It’s that, and the fact I bask in her company.
Summer’s been staring out the passenger window for ten straight minutes without saying a word, and it feels like an eternity. She always has something to say, and I’m happy to hear it, even if it’s an insult.
