Page 19 of Atlas
I give Ash a sympathetic smile. “I’m sorry man, but just know I would ne–”
“I know.” Ash interrupts before scratching the back of his head. “I know you wouldn’t. She’s just,” He pauses as if trying to find the right word. “She’s fragile right now, and I know she hates me, but I’m just trying to keep her safe.”
I have no idea what Ash is talking about. He doesn’t talk about Indy much except to say she works at the children’s hospital downtown and he was having her live with him so their mom could travel the world with her fiancé or some super romantic thing that I could not imagine experiencing. “If you ever want to talk man, you know I’m here.”
Ash waves me off. “None of that heart to heart shit. Get your ass out of here.”
I chuckle and look at my phone. “Fuck, I really do need to go. I told Ren to wait for me to walk Bruno.” I flip my friend the bird as he makes kissing noises before I head out the door and towards the elevator. Once I hit the main lobby button, I quickly tap out a text.
Me: Hey my beautiful Princess, I just left Ash’s, I’ll be there in ten minutes and we can walk Bruno.
Princess: It’s starting to drizzle. Be careful on that stupid motorcycle.
I don’t even try to hide the stupid grin on my face that her words of concern cause.
Me: Awww! I think someone has a crush on me *heart eyes emoji*
Chapter 8
Lauren
Why did I pick this dress?
I stare at myself in the mirror. The high neck of the green dress feels like it’s trying to cut off my airflow. I feel like crying, like hurling my lunch up. The dress is form fitting or “too tight for a woman of your size” as my dad will surely say when he sees me. While my mom more or less stays quiet about my weight, my father likes to remind me that men prefer their women slender.
I poke my squishy hip dips that are front and center in this dress, along with the soft pouch below my belly button.
Why did I pick this dress?
“Hey Princess, are you re–” Atlas peers in my room and stops speaking as he looks me up and down. “Wow.” He breathes out.
I feel heat rush to my face, not because of his comment but because…holy shit, he looks gorgeous. He is wearing all black–trousers, shoes, shirt and suit jacket with a green tie that…oh my god, it matches my dress.
“How?” I ask, pointing at the tie.
Atlas laughs sheepishly as he rubs the back of his neck. “I took a picture of your dress while we were at the mall and after community service the other day, I went to the suit shop and found one that closely matched. You look really pretty, Ren.”
I give him a forced smile. “Thanks, I hate the dress.”
Atlas nods before muttering, “Yeah, I’m not a fan of it either.”
I jerk my head back and furrow my brows. “You just said I look pretty!” What the hell? I have to spend the entire night in this damn thing, and now I know the hottest man I’ve ever met hates it too?
“Oh you do, you’re fucking breath taking.” He states firmly, as if it’s the most obvious observation. “But I’m not thrilled about every other man at this party getting to see what I’m looking at right now.”
My breath hitches in my throat and I meet his heated gaze. “Atlas?” I whisper, confusion filling me at the sound of his possessive words. I watch him blink and his eyes refocus, his signature grin replacing the almost primal snarl that plagued his full lips.
“You’re a goddess,” He says softly before reaching into his pocket and pulling out the two wedding bands. I decided to get the cheapest ones they had. Mine is a silver-colored tungsten band that is thin and dainty, while Atlas has a much thicker version.
I go to put the ring on, but Atlas gently taps my hand. “It’s my job to put it on for the first time.” He states as he slowly slips the ring down my finger. When the band reaches the end of my finger, Atlas slides his hand over mine, allowing the touch to linger longer than necessary.
I take his ring and grab his left hand, allowing my fingertips to run across his knuckles. I hear his sharp intake of air and it sends a bolt to my lower abdomen. I steady my hand as I slip the ring down his long, thick finger, all while trying to ignorejust how dry my mouth is becoming. Once the ring is in place, I mimic his previous actions by running my fingers over his hand. I notice how much I’m beginning to shake. How his closeness is wreaking havoc on my body.
Wait…
“Lauren!” I blink and look up at Atlas. The worry etched on his face. “Where is your phone? What is your level? You’re shaking.”
My level? Oh fuck.
