Page 150 of Knot Your Fated M.U.S.E.

His smirk softens, transforming into something so tender it steals my breath. His hand lifts, his fingers brushing a strand of hair from my face as he studies me, his expression unreadable. "Nyx," he murmurs, his voice impossibly soft. "Our little Goddess…you have no idea how much it means to me that you’d choose this—choose me. But I need to be sure. Are you absolutely certain this is what you want?"

I nod again, firmer this time, and my hands slide down to rest over his heart.

"I’m certain," I whisper. "I’ve lived too long without choices, Atlas. This one? This one is mine to make. And I want it to be you."

He exhales slowly, and I watch as the tension melts from his shoulders. His amber eyes, though clouded, find mine with startling accuracy, and he cups my face gently, his thumb brushing my cheek as he leans in. His lips meet mine in a kiss that’s as much a promise as it is a question, soft and searching.

I kiss him back, pouring everything I can’t put into words into that connection. I may not be an experienced kisser, but it doesn’t seem to bother Atlas in the slightest because he always guides me, and embraces this novice part, knowing in time, I’ll get better.

With experience, I’ll learn and grow in a way that can feed his needs and my pack.

My hands move instinctively, tangling in his hair, pulling him closer. His arms tighten around me, anchoring me as the world around us fades away. There’s nothing but him—the warmth of his skin, the intoxicating scent of him, the way his lips feel like a grounding force amidst the storm of my thoughts.

His lips trail down to my jaw, then my neck, leaving a path of heat that makes me shiver. I arch into him, the nervous tension in my body melting into uncontrollable but vibrant desire— a sensation I don’t want to let go of until I’ve experienced it at its peak.

His hands move carefully, reverently, as though he’s afraid of pushing too far, and when they find the hem of my shirt, he pauses.

His gaze lifts to mine, seeking permission, and I nod, lifting my arms to help him slip the fabric over my head. The cool air kisses my skin, but it’s nothing compared to the warmth of his hands as they skim over me. Matched with the last rays of sunlight that play against our flesh, it feels like such a liberating experience to be naked in the outdoors. As though this significant experience must start outside confined walls, like a reminder of the freedom I’ve gained.

His gaze roams over my body, reverent and unhurried, the two of us breathless as we fight for oxygen. I can’t bring myself to feel shy under his scrutiny, which feels even more empowering to keep his gaze, falling in love with the sight of him without the blindfold.

The sight of seeing him in all his glory.

"You’re beautiful," he murmurs, his voice filled with awe.

The sincerity in his tone makes my cheeks flush, but I don’t shy away. I meet his gaze, letting him see every part of me, as he allows me in return.

“I’m sorry if my…my scars are a bit distracting,” I confess shyly. It’s so random to bring up, but I can already recall the Alpha guards who would watch us strip as we got ready for various tests and trials. “It’s not perfect like other Omegas, but—mhmmm.”

The kiss he gives me is soft at first, his lips tracing mine with a gentleness that feels at odds with the fire roaring to life inside me.

But it doesn’t stay gentle for long.

His mouth moves with purpose, claiming me, and when his teeth catch my bottom lip, a shiver races down my spine. I feel myself leaning into him, the world narrowing until all I know is Atlas—the heat of him, the weight of his touch, and the quiet reverence in the way he holds me like I’m something precious.

When he finally pulls away, I gasp for air, my lips tingling from the force of his kiss.

My gaze flickers to his face, my fingers still pressed against the hard muscle of his chest. He looks at me with a fierceness that steals my breath all over again, his voice low and rough when he speaks.

"Every time you try to speak badly about this body," he mutters, his lips brushing against mine with every word, "I’m going to drown you in so much love that it’ll be hard to breathe."

My cheeks flame, heat spreading across my face and down my neck as I try to form a coherent response. But he doesn’t give me the chance. His hand slides along my jaw, tilting my head back as he peppers soft, deliberate kisses across my face—my forehead, my cheeks, the corners of my lips. Each one feels like a promise like he’s trying to convey something that words could never capture.

He leans back just enough to meet my gaze, his amber eyes glinting in the golden light of the setting sun.

"This is the body that survived endless cruelty, Nyx," he says softly. "It got you out of situations that should have killed you. It stayed healthy, and strong, even when the world tried to break you. And thanks to your perseverance, it remained pure…just for me."

My breath catches, and I press my hands to his chest, unable to look away as his words wash over me. There’s no pity in his voice, no condescension. Just truth. A truth I hadn’t dared let myself believe.

He cups my cheek, his thumb brushing a stray tear from my face as his voice drops even lower.

"This body is a temple, Nyx. And it deserves to be worshipped…just like you."

I barely have time to process his words before he lowers himself to his knees, his hands sliding down my sides as he goes. My breath hitches as he looks up at me, his eyes filled with reverence so deep it feels like it might undo me.

"Atlas," I whisper, my voice shaky, but he doesn’t reply. Instead, he leans forward, pressing a kiss to my hipbone, just above where the waistband of my underwear would be. His lips trail lower, his breath hot against my skin, and I feel myself trembling beneath his touch.

He pauses when he reaches the top of my thighs, his hands gripping my hips lightly as he glances up at me.

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