Page 13 of These Wicked Hearts

The corner of my lips lift. A massive black circular couch dominates the living room. It’s more bed than living room furniture, and aside from the giant TV mounted on the wall, it’s the only thing in here. “This is where my ass usually is when I’m home. I travel a lot.”

“For the job you won’t tell me about.”

“Exactly. I’m very mysterious.” He shifts his weight, bouncing on his toes. He’s all nerves. His hand drifts back to his stomach, rubbing the hair on his belly. It’s like he can’t sit still.

“So, have you ever hooked up with a man?” With the nerves pouring off him I’m assuming that’s a big solid no. Not that I care. He shakes his head. “Closeted? Curious?”

“Yes and no.” He exhales through his nose. “I’m not hiding. I’m not like in the closet or anything. I just never told anyone.”

“But you have bottomed before?” Then it clicks. “Ah, does Atlas like to get pegged?”

His ears flame. “I do.” The image of that strikes hotter than it should. “But some shit happened over the summer, and I want to try it out with a guy.”

“Lucky me.” I look around the room. “Where do you want to do this?” I’ll fuck him anywhere. I just need him to show me the way and let me take care of the rest. My eyes drag over him again. Slow and indulgent. His chest, stomach, those lines that disappear below his waistband. I don’t give a shit how he wants it. I just need it. Those unnerving blue fucking eyes watch me. “Are those contacts?”

“My eyes? Well duh. What else are contacts for? Uh no. They are one thousand percent my father’s, according to my mom, but I wouldn’t know what the fuck he looks like, so I’ll have to take her word for it.” He points at me. “Hey, no personal information.”

“I asked if you wore contacts; you supplied the rest.”

He bounces on his toes. It’s like the energy is just spilling out of him. “I’m so nervous. I’ve never had a guy like—” He waves his hands over his dick. “Get in there, ya know?”

“The more you talk the less I want to do this.”

“Like I said. Bitchy.”

“And I’m leaving.”

“No, no wait,” he whines, grabbing my wrist. “I’m just kidding. Kind of. You’re very attractive. I like the emo thing you’ve got going on.”

I wrench my arm away. “I don’t have an emo thing going on!”

“That hurt worse than the bitchy thing? Really? I’m just kidding anyway. You’re very attractive. Love the blue hair. Is that also contacts?”

I open my mouth then snap it back shut, shaking my head. What have I gotten myself into? “You’re an idiot.”

“Eh, I think you find me a bit endearing.”

“Atlas, you don’t want to know what I think.” I squeeze the back of my neck. I have a headache crawling up into my brain. “Can we just fuck and get this over with?”

“Sure, um, I’m not sure what I’m into, but I’ll try anything. So far, it’s just been really pretty tits in my face while I’m getting fucked. I’m open to whatever. Very open. I um, I can tell you if I don’t like something. I just don’t know how you—well, I mean I know how to, but I’m⁠—”

I step closer to him. His mouth snaps shut as I clap my hands on either side of his cheeks. “Stop. Talking.”

“Right,” he whispers. Some sort of hum runs under my skin. He’s very . . . obedient. I wonder how obedient. I just want to run my fingers over his sculpted chest. He’s as beautiful as he is obnoxious. And fuck me, he’s really really obnoxious.

Slowly, I brush my fingers across his chest, and he looks down, watching as my hands explore his body. “We do this my way, understood?” He nods slowly. “If you don’t like something, or you want me to stop, you need a safe word.”

He swallows thickly as I thumb over his nipple. I smile when it tightens under my touch. “Like what?”

I shrug. “Anything you want. Something you wouldn’t normally say during sex.”

“Like pterodactyl?”

My fingers freeze. “I mean, yeah. Is that what we’re going with?” He nods. “I’m already regretting this but . . . why?”

“Dinosaurs are fucking cool. I mean, I guess the word could come up if I want to hit you with some elite dino knowledge mid thrust.”

“Atlas,” I whisper.