Page 58 of Atlas
She rolls her eyes as she looks at the receiver. “How did you know?”
“Besides living with you and having eyeballs? I researched a lot, and the class. I mean, I don’t think I studied that much infucking high school. I have spent months learning all the ins and outs of diabetes and the tools you need. And then Betty worked with me to teach me how to work the pumps and transmitters since several patients there are diabetic.”
“You did all of that? For me?” I lean up on my elbows to stare at her.
“Princess, what do I have to do for you to realize that I’m crazy about you?” In the glow of the television, I see the tear that rolls down her face.
“Atlas…” Her voice cracks and panic fills me. She’s about to say something I can’t hear yet. Not because I don’t want to, god knows I do. But because I need to earn it.
“Shhh…” I pull her to me and kiss her softly. “Just come and lay on me again.”
She takes a breath and nods before curling up back into my chest. “Thanks for being such a good husband.” She whispers into my neck, sleepily. My heart tightens at her words and I let out a shaky breath as I squeeze her to me.
“Anything for you, Princess.”
Chapter 25
Lauren
“Fuck the dinner, I’ll just eat you.” Atlas growls into my ear as he wraps arms around my waist. I giggle and turn to kiss him.
“Nice try, Hart, but if I have to go, so do you.” Atlas deflates and moans, but let’s me go so I can finish getting ready. It’s the weekend before Thanksgiving and we are heading to my parents’ house for dinner. I look myself over in the mirror one last time, I chose a burnt orange single breasted flare skirt, and a black ribbed high neck sweater. I slip on a pair of low heel ankle boots and walk out to see Atlas sitting on the couch, rubbing Bruno’s belly.
“You’re going to get all furry.” I chuckle and Atlas shrugs.
“I don't think Bruno’s fur is going to make your parents like me any less. Oh here, I got you something.” Furrowing my brows, I watch as he pulls a small box out of the pocket of his trousers and hands it to me.
“What’s this?” I ask, though I know jewelry usually comes in these types of boxes.
“I saw it yesterday and I thought of you.” Atlas sounds nervous as he watches me open the box and there is a goldnecklace with a sunflower pendant. I look from the pendant to him and then back at the pendant again.
“Atlas,” I breathe out and stare at him. “This is, it’s too much.”
Atlas rolls his eyes and takes the box from me to remove the necklace. “It is not. It looks like you. You needed it.” He mutters as he clasps the chain behind my neck.
“I look like a sunflower?” I ask, unsure how to take that. Is my hair really big or something?
“Okay, wait, hear me out. You have those rich brown eyes that are so deep, alluring, soft and nurturing. Your warm golden halo, your strength. It just reminds me of a sunflower.” He seems a little frustrated with having to explain his thought process to me. “Look, I’m not one of those perfect book boyfriends in those books who say the absolute perfect thing. But if you give me the chance, I will try to be. I will learn all the right things to compare you to that will make your knees weak.”
My smile drops, and I blink at him. “Wait… did you just ask to be my boyfriend?”
I see his cheeks grow pink and my heart flutters, it’s adorable.
“Y-yeah? I mean, I know, we are already living together, having sex and married…”
I can’t help the laugh that comes out, and I wince when I notice he is becoming uncomfortable. I walk to him, pressing myself against his chest and pulling his freshly shaved face to me. “There is nothing,” I say softly as I press a sweet kiss on his lips, “that would make me happier than to be your girlfriend.”
His smile could light up the city. “Oh my god,” He sounds so relieved. “Are you serious? Oh my god, this is amazing!” He kisses me this time, his hands holding my cheeks. “This means I can cuddle you without sex being involved.”
I laugh as I pull back. “What?”
“Well, like, I’ve never had a girlfriend, so I’ve never gotten to cuddle on the couch and watch T.V. and stuff without, you know.” I cock my head to one side as I think back over the last six months. I guess we really haven’t snuggled unless sex was involved.
“Weird confession,” I cringe, almost wishing I hadn’t started the sentence, but I want him to know this is new for me as well. “I’ve never cuddled on the couch and watched TV with a guy, either.”
“You’ve hadboyfriends,though.” He doesn’t like calling my exes boyfriends, and I have to admit that jealousy in his tone is kind of a turn on right now.
“I have, but they weren’t into that. And I wasn’t into being close to them if I didn’t have to be since they were–” He grips my chin and makes me look at him.
