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We walk and talk for a while until the sun sinks below the water and the air drops to a cool, crisp temperature. Atlas tells me about his childhood and the boarding school he was attending. My heart breaks for him not being able to come home to his parents. My mother used to tuck me in, and we shared a cookie before bed. He informs me his favorite music is alternative rock and country music, and I tell him mine is country and rap.
I glance at the bay area and lean against the rails. “Every year my mother and I went to the fair on Coney Island. It used to be so much fun. Have you been there?”
He nods. “With my old friends, but not with my family.”
“How was Harvard?” I ask.
“A bore. They don’t talk about the partying that goes on there.” He tucks a lock of hair behind my ear. “I fucked so much in college I thought once I graduated, I’d be done with it.”
I shoot him a glare, and he laughs before he clears his throat.
“Like I said, I partied all the time there. Once I received my degree, I focused on taking overNakedmagazine.”
“Why is your father always on your case about your businesses?”
“I had gotten in a lot of trouble growing up, and I almost flunked out of college, twice. The third time was a charm.” He winks. “He didn’t want me to ruin his empire. My relationship with my father has always been strained. I have a name to live up to, and if I don’t live up to it, he threatens to take it all away from me, but he can’t. I have dirt on him that can have him kicked off his board. Probably why he won’t let me on the board.” He sets me on the rails, and I wrap my legs around his waist and my arms around his shoulders. He stares deep into my eyes but doesn’t say anything for a while.
“Do you believe in love at first sight?” he asks.
The cool breeze from the bay brushes against my skin, and people wave at us from a boat and we wave back. The city is nice in the evening as the buildings light up like Christmas lights. I should have moved here a long time ago.
“I don’t know. I never thought about it. I’ve never looked at someone and thought I loved them. Have you?”
“Yes, I do. I also believe in fate from time to time,” he replies.
“Where are you going with this conversation?” I ask.
“I wanted to know what your thoughts were,” he says, planting a kiss on my forehead.
“I’m sleepy. Can we go back to your place?”
He nods. The driver picks us up, and the drive is long. Atlas holds my hand the entire time.
Once we shower, we fuck, then we slide into bed, then fuck again. He pulls me into his arms, and I snuggle on his chest beforeI close my eyes.
When he thinks I’m asleep, he kisses my hair, and I swear he says, “I didn’t believe in love at sight until I met you.”
It’s the night of the runway and I’m super excited. Miguel picks out my dress and Harley does my hair in thick curls. My makeup covers parts of the scar on my face, and I’m rocking the cat-eye look. My black gown is long and elegant with diamonds embedded in the corset. I wear a leather jacket to go with it because it’s cold during this time of year.
Once we make it to the tall building, Atlas holds my hand, and the paparazzi snaps pictures of us as reporters hang over the rails, calling our names. Atlas presses his lip to the side of my temple, and my heart soars like a comet in the sky and warmth spreads through my body. I’m sure this is going to be on the front cover of a tabloid. Once we’re inside the lit building, we mingle with a few celebrities, businesspeople, and Atlas gives me full credit for the pieces of lingerie I worked on. He brags about me as if I did all the work by myself, and I grin so hard my cheeks burn. A few businessmen give me their cards to do work for them, and Atlas tells me which ones are not good to work with. I’ve been to a few runways with my parents, but I’ve never been this excited to go since my lingerie will be on display. Joy stands next to me, and excitement colors her face.
“I’m so happy to be finally featured in the catalog,” I say.
A smile spreads across her face, and she hugs me. “Me too. We can go for drinks to celebrate afterward.”
“We can’t, Boots. We have plans,” Atlas answers for me, tucking a lock of my hair behind my ear.
I lift my eyebrows. “We do?”
He leans down and whispers in my ear. “I want to peel the lingerie you made off your body and fuck you tonight.”
Arousal dampens my panties, and my nipples harden against the silk fabric.
Joy’s eyes widen, and she flashes me her pearly whites. “It’s no big deal. We can have drinks tomorrow night instead.” She leans in and whispers, “For what it’s worth, I’m glad you’re dating Mr. Conrad. He’s a lot happier around the office than he usually is.”
I don’t know what to say as I offer her a smile. Jasper comes into view wearing a designer suit with a long scarf wrapped around his shoulders, and Poppy walks up to me and wraps her arms around my waist.
“I’m so proud of you, babe. We both dreamt of this day for you,” she says, kissing me on both cheeks.
