Page 132 of These Wicked Hearts

I got way more than I wanted.

“Do you want some time alone?” I turn, looking at him standing there in my living room. He’s so big, so powerful and strong. He’s also the sweetest most fragile person I’ve ever met in my life, and I need to break this off. I can’t have a relationship and Grey was right, I’m going to hurt his heart, and that’s the last thing I want.

Well, no, the last thing I want is for him to leave.

And it seems I’m a selfish prick.

“That’s okay. Um, you can stay for a bit.” One more night can’t hurt, right?

Atlas walks toward me, hesitation clear in those gorgeous blue eyes. Does he see what’s going on with me? He can’t, right? Because if he knew, he’d be disgusted with me. He’d hate me. More than I hate myself.

What I’ve learned about him confirms this. Atlas didn’t give up. He fought through every disadvantage and difficult thing thrown at him and came out on top. He’s a fighter. Not me. I gave in and took the easy way out.

“You alright?” His arm comes up, and he cups my cheek.

I tug him closer, bringing his lips to mine, and feel that comforting weight in my soul when he kisses me. It’s everything I’ve always wanted to feel. I want him so bad. One last day. Just one. He pulls back to look at me.

With Atlas here with me, I just want his perfection to soak into me. Because he is perfect. He’s got a messy heart, but he’s so good. So perfect. I’ve never been one to hate a stranger, but I hate whoever he ends up with. They won’t deserve him. None of us do. Men like him are once in a lifetime, and I’m just sad that I can’t have this lifetime with him.

“Are you okay?” He cups my face, pulling my attention back to him. “What’s wrong?” I feel him smooth his thumb over my cheek.

“N-nothing. Feels so good.” I kiss him hard, trying to right my brain. One more day. Just one. “Just tired.”

Atlas peels off his shirt, stripping down to his boxers and sliding into my bed. “Come on. Nap with me. I have to go down to the arena tomorrow. One more day.”

One more day.

If only he knew how literal that was.

I undress and get back in beside him, and I feel his hand on my spine before the soft press of his lips pulls my attention to him. I’m wrapped in the cocoon of his arms as he holds me tight to his big body.

It doesn’t take long before I fall asleep inside them.

I move a little then open my eyes, and I see that Atlas’s eyes are still closed.

I smile wide then close them again. I’m too comfortable to move him, but I know he has practice soon, and part of me hopes they’ll tell him he needs a few more days of rest.

I can’t push this off any longer, I know.

I shouldn’t even have gone with him, but here I am taking and taking. My fingers move before I can stop them, smoothing a piece of hair off his forehead. He’s snoring like a damn train whistle, but I don’t even care. I like when he looks like this. Peaceful.

He’s too sweet. Too sweet for me. Too good for me. I’m a coward and a sellout.

I’m still stroking the side of his face when his eyes open a little and he moves against me. “Mmm.” His lips split into a sleepy smile. “You’re so obsessed with me.” He grins wider. I want to say something with bite, but instead I lean in and kiss him.

I kiss him hard, rolling on top of him, and moan as his large hands slip down my spine while he’s still half asleep. I want him wrapped around me all day. I want to hear his breaths while he sleeps and feel his warm skin under my fingers.

“What are you thinking about?” He laughs with his eyes still closed, squeezing my ass in his hands.

I grin and lean in, kissing him softly. “Thinking about how good you felt inside me.”

“Yeah?” He cocks an eye open. “I’m very dominant. I have many layers, Gage.”

I reach down and cup his erection, then give him a slow stroke.

“Gage.” He opens his eyes, his cock growing in my hand. “Gage.”

I blink up to look at him, but it’s not heat I find. It’s a clarity in his electric eyes that scares me. “What?”