Page 34 of Tormenting Me

I wipe my hands on the towel after washing the muffin tin. I lean over the counter on my elbows. “Right, I go in at eleven. We need more groceries, so I figure I would do that. Maybe I’ll head into work early to see if Atlas needs any help.”

Wes’s eyes are on my ass that is sticking out.

“Don’t even think about it,” I glare. “You’ll be late for work.”

Wes wipes his mouth with his napkin, “Worth it.” Then lunges for me.

After coming home with the groceries, I decide to pack our suitcase for our flight on Wednesday. We’re heading to Virginia to spend Thanksgiving with Wes’s parents and I honestly can’t wait. I’ve never been out of the state or even been on an airplane. To say I am excited is an understatement. I make sure I have clothes appropriate for the colder weather. Wes says it won’t be snowing yet, and I am kind of sad. It’s been my childhood dream to see snow.

I carefully fold and pack our warmest sweaters, jackets, and scarves. As I zip up the suitcase, I can’t help but feel a surge of anticipation for this new experience.

With the groceries put away and our suitcase ready, I have some free time before work. I decide to indulge in a little reading. Atlas picked out a few books for me the last time we got a shipment in, so now I am curled up on our bed, with a bottle of water, and my phone next to me. It’s a splatterpunk horror, and it’s so gory it has me gagging every few seconds. Just as the book is getting good, my phone dings with a notification.

Wes: I’m so grateful to have you as my wife.

My heart swells with warmth and love, and I can’t help but feel incredibly lucky to have him. Ever since he’s gone back to work, he has taken time to send me cute little text messages throughout the day. Now granted, they get dirtier as the day progresses. By the time he is getting off work, he is telling me all the ways he is going to fuck me around the loft.

Wes: Now send me a picture of my pussy so I can tell her how much I miss her.

That escalated quickly.

I check the time and pull up my ride-share app so I can order my ride to work. Wes wants to get a second vehicle so I can drive myself to work. At first, I thought it was because he didn’t want me getting in random people’s cars. Which I can understand. But he said it’s so I could be completely independent.

Arriving at work fifteen minutes later, I find Atlas buried in a pile of online book orders. I offer my help. “You want some help with those?” I toss my bag over the counter.

“Dude, Kris needs to slow her roll with the online shit. She doesn’t even have a system in place and we’ve got, like, fifty orders.” Atlas’s shoulders drop, tension brimming in his eyes.

Together, we tackle all the order forms, making progress with each passing hour. We stop once when we run out of packing material.

“So how are things with Wes?” Atlas teases, wiggling his eyebrows.

“Good,” I say, looking down at my fingernails. Suddenly, very into my chipped black nail polish.

“You have your period yet?”

“Jesus fucking Christ, Atlas! You can’t just be asking me that.” My face gets hot, and I know I must be blushing.

“I have been your best friend for seven years, bitch. I’ve seen you naked, throwing up…which still one of the top five worst parties of my life…so yeah…I can ask.” He lifts my chin with his pen. “Is that no?”

“Not yet.” I whisper, picking at my cuticles. A nervous habit I have had since I was a kid.

“Hey.” Atlas’s hand sits on top of mine. “You don’t have to have a baby, you know that, right? If it’s too soon or if you’re scared, you can tell him no. Hell, I will tell him no if I need to.”

“It’s not that, I just don’t want to be like my parents, Atlas. The thought of a little human that comes from Wes and I, out in the world, sounds exciting. I just don’t want to be absolute dog-shit at it. That’s what I am afraid of.”

Atlas nods understandingly, his gaze filled with empathy. “I get it, I do,” he says softly. “But listen, nobody has it all figured out when it comes to parenting. People make mistakes, but that doesn’t mean we’re destined to be like our parents. You’re different. You’re aware of what is abuse and what isn’t. And that awareness is a gigantic step in the right direction.”

I take a deep breath, letting his words sink in. “You’re right,” I admit, a sense of relief washing over me. “I shouldn’t let fear hold me back from something that could bring me so much joy.”

Atlas gives my hand a reassuring squeeze. “Exactly. And remember, you’re not alone in this. Wes is there for you, and so am I. We’ll support you every step of the way, no matter what you decide.”

A small smile tugs at the corners of my lips as gratitude fills my heart. Having Atlas as my best friend is truly a blessing.

As we continue working, the sense of doubt about possibly being pregnant so soon fades and for a brief moment, I let myself dream about the possibilities. If I am pregnant, I know that I have the strength and support to navigate whatever lies ahead. And right now, that’s plenty.

My ears perk up as I hear the low rumble of Wes’s car when he pulls in front of the shop. A smile creeps across my face. The door opens and there he is. Dressed in his suit, the tattoos on his neck and from below his wrists peek out, he looks absolutely sinful. I never thought I’d be able to say that law enforcement would be a turn-on, but, I had never seen any that looked like Wes. Atlas wiggles his eyebrows and gives Wes a playful wave.

“Heeeey, Wes…..”

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