Page 20 of Xtasy

“Yeah…I guess.” Hawk answered as he sought out the nearest clock. Four more hours until midnight.Surely he could go that long without losing his mind with worry?

“Speaking of keeping everything out in the open, when were you going to tell me that Blaze showed up at the opening?” Ambrose asked as he sipped his wine. He shoveled in a forkful of Lo Mein while he waited on Hawk to respond.

“Well, shit. I’d hoped you wouldn’t find out. I didn’t want anything to ruin your opening,” Hawk answered quietly. “I know you think he’s harmless, but the man is obsessed with you. I’m afraid one day he’s going to truly cross a line he can’t come back from. He’s a fucking freak.”

“I know I’ve frustrated you by allowing him to get away with his mischief in the past, but I’m with you now. I think he’s dangerous or could be potentially dangerous. I met with the security team this morning to ensure Blaze Alexander isn’t allowed anywhere near me or you. If that doesn’t work, we’ll allow your men to scare the life out of him. Deal?” Ambrose proposed.

“Me? I don’t need security from Blaze—it’s you he’s obsessed with.”

“Because Blaze knows that hurting you would hurt me. Don’t argue with me on this, Hawk. If you refuse my security, I dismiss it for both of us.”

“You are such an asshole,” Hawk grumbled. “You know you’re pushing me into a corner, making me agree with you.”

“Yes. I know. Now, let’s eat a bite and then find something to keep you occupied until midnight. I have a feeling you’ll drive me crazy before you get to call your sweet man.”

“No doubt about that one,” Hawk agreed. “I’m falling hard, Ambrose. If it didn’t sound stupid, I would say I was already in love with him. The minute he walks out the door, I want him to walk back in. I think about him constantly. Dream about him. Envision a future with him.” Hawk plopped onto one of the chairs and hung his head in defeat. “Hell, I already love him, don’t I?”

Ambrose laughed an evil Disney villain laugh. “Yes, my dear friend. You are in love. It’s all over your face. When you see Atlas, this silly grin instantly morphs your pouty lips into a schoolboy falling for the first time. I’m enjoying this so damn much.”

“Glad to be your entertainment, asshole.”

“Any time. Now tell me about this clusterfuck you have going on with your men. Wallace is normally extremely cautious. How did this happen?”

****

By the time the elevator doors slid open on Atlas’ floor, he’d convinced himself that he simply needed to confront Ambrose, let him know he wasn’t at all interested, and explain that he would appreciate it if he would back the fuck off. Regardless of the deep friendship between Ambrose and Hawk, Atlas was determined to not lose Hawk without at least putting up a fight. Anyway, what kind of friend would even do what Ambrose was doing? He’d waltzed into Hawk’s place like he owned the joint, brought the food, and assumed that Atlas would simply play along with his deceit. The very thought of what was happening between the three of them sickened Atlas—his biggest fear being that Hawk would pick Ambrose over him. Fuck, how could he not? Ambrose had everything, was exciting, and there didn’t seem to be one stitch of social discomfort in the man’s body. Thus, the total opposite of Atlas.

As he punched in the code to his suite, Atlas tried to build his confidence back up—force himself to stop comparing himself to Ambrose and focus on what was developing between him and Hawk. And there was no doubting it, something beautiful was forming between the two of them. Atlas knew he was already head-over-heels in love with Hawk, he just had to wait for Hawk to return his feelings.

He'd wait as long as it took.

The second Atlas stepped across his threshold, he knew something was…off. The hair on the back of his neck stood up. Slowly, he pulled the small can of mace he carried in his jacket pocket because he was that extra cautious type. Someone had been in his apartment, he was certain of it. It smelled odd, like cigar smoke, and it was ice-cold. With as much stealth as he could manage, Atlas inched his way into the room, mace ready to go in case there really was an intruder.

He rounded the corner, bumped into a body, and did the opposite of everything he’d ever envisioned himself doing if he happened to find himself in a dangerous situation. First, he screamed like a girl. Maced himself. Fell…shrieking from the burning in his eyes. Theintrudercollapsed next to him, switching between begging him to be okay and screaming at him for scaring the shit out of her.

Megan.

When he could finally talk, he grabbed her in a tight hug and said, “I didn’t think you were coming back home until next week! What happened? Good God, I could have killed you, Meg!”

“Uh…I’m pretty sure it would be the other way around. Which one of us has been lying on the floor in complete agony?”

Atlas felt himself blush as visions of Hawk’s beefed-up friends floated through his mind. The complete opposite of him, of course. Not only would they not need mace, they most certainly wouldn’t end up macing themselves by accident. “Shut up, Meg. You know you are super strong for a woman,” he teased, already accepting the fact he had made himself look like a total fool.

“You stay here. Let me get some wet cloths for your eyes.” Meg said and then took off like a bolt of lightning to save the day. “I’ll grab a water bottle to flush your eyes, too. Don’t rub them!”

Atlas really, really wanted to rub them. They burned like a motherfucker. He knew she was correct, though, so he kept his hands flat on the floor and started counting to a hundred. Thankfully, Meg was back way before he reached twenty-five. After she mothered him, flushed out his eyes, cleaned every spot where the pepper spray had touched him, she gently eased him over to the couch. They plopped down together.

“When did you start leaving all the windows open?” Megan asked him as she twirled his hair around her fingers. “And, more importantly, when did you get involved in the BDSM scene? What has my boy been up to while I was away from you to protect you from all the booty wolves out there? It’s a dangerous world for my little inexperienced cub.”

Atlas gave a playful punch. “No need to rub in the inexperienced part! Your other complaints are definitely not me. I never leave the windows open and I’m one hundred percent not into BDSM. Hawk and I have dabbled with tying me up, but it’s not gone any further than that. Not sure where you’re getting your information from, but the source is unreliable.” Atlas paused before adding, “And why are you accusing me of opening all the windows when it had to be you?”

Meg’s body froze. “It wasn’t me, Atlas. When I got home, all the windows were open. The apartment was freezing, curtains blowing around like ghosts flying, and most of my plants were blown over.” She gazed at Atlas, eyes blinking. “Who would do such a petty, ridiculous prank? Is your boyfriend weird?”

“This wasn’t Hawk,” Atlas answered solemnly. “Why did you ask me about the BDSM stuff? What led you down that path?”

“Ah, duh…your bedroom.”

“What’s in my fucking bedroom?” Atlas demanded as he scrambled to his feet. “Stay where you are, Meg. It might not be safe. Clearly, somebody has been in here, and I’ve got a pretty good idea who it is. I need to make sure we’re safe.” Atlas couldn’t believe it. Would Ambrose never tire of the games? He acted so innocent in person but was seriously fucked up behind the scenes.

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