Page 65 of Atlas
“I thought you said you weren’t together.”
I groan as I head out, ignoring her.
I find Atlas pacing. The second I step into the room, I’m swept off my feet and pressed to the wall, where he wraps my legs around his waist and presses his forehead against mine. “Friends?” he asks, and there’s a glimmer of hurt in his eyes.
“I didn’t know what to tell her,” I say, avoiding his glare.
“You tell her we’re a thing,” he growls. “You tell her we’re the step between fucking and forever.” My eyes shoot to his. “But don’t tell anyone we’rejust friends, Rue. We’re way past that.”
His hand runs through my hair, gripping it at the roots and gently tugging my head back so he has access to my throat. His beard rubs against my skin roughly as he presses his nose there and inhales deeply. “That smell,” he murmurs, his eyes filling with heat. “I’m addicted.”
I should ask him about Anita. I should tell him the context of mine and Kasey’s conversation, but I don’t. I’m too focused on the way his erection is pressed between my legs.
“I’ve missed you,” he whispers, nipping at my neck. His mouth finds mine, and when he kisses me, it’s like the first time all over again.
“It’s been a couple days,” I say with a laugh.
“Far too long. Shouldn’t you be naked?”
I laugh again as he slides me down his body and takes a step back. He lifts his shirt over his head, dropping it to the floor. Then he waits, watching me until I do the same. He keeps staring, nodding at my bra, so I remove it and add it to the pile. He hasn’t seen me naked, but under his intense stare, I don’t feel worried or self-conscious. I feel sexy and wanted.
Atlas unfastens his jeans and shoves them down his legs, stepping out of them, then looking at me to do the same. I make quick work of the loose fitted cotton trousers, kicking them tothe pile. I hook my thumbs in my knickers, but he shakes his head and takes a seat on the edge of the bed. “Leave them on.”
Chapter Thirteen
Anita
I take a bite of the sandwich Tessa grabbed me and screw my nose up. Cheese. I hate plain cheese, but she swore it’s all the local deli had left. I drop it on the packaging and turn back to my emails.
The door opens and I glance up as Tom enters. My heart stutters in my chest. I’ve been waiting to hear from him since I left him with my case notes a few days ago. I didn’t want to seem too keen by hassling him, so I lean back in my chair and watch as he saunters towards me with all the stealth of a black panther. He passes Tessa’s empty desk. I gave her the afternoon off.
“Hope you don’t mind,” he says, sitting in the chair opposite. “I came right from court so was passing.”
“No, it’s fine.”
He dumps some files on my desk, then reaches into his bag and pulls out a paper bag. “I skipped lunch and I’m starving,” he says, opening the bag. He glances at my sandwich. “Not a fan?”
I look at it and shake my head. “It’s cheese.”
“Ah, sweaty cheese sandwiches remind me of packed lunch as a kid.”
I laugh. “Yes.”
He stuffs the paper bag back. “How about we go for a late lunch or early dinner?”
I hesitate. Anthony would go mad, and I don’t have it in me to keep creating stories to keep him calm. As if Tom senses, he shrugs. “Or not. I can make this quick and leave you to it.”
His words stir something in me. I don’t want him to leave. Right now, he’s the only man who knows it all.Everything. And I want to talk about it.
I stand, smiling. “No, it’s a great idea. I know a wonderful place a few streets away.”
I lock up and lead the way to a quiet little French place I sometimes go to when I need a quiet lunch alone.
It’s practically empty to my relief and we’re seated straight away.
The waitress asks if we’d like a drink and I stare at Tom who stares back at me. “Ladies first,” he says.
I’m so used to men ordering for me, I’m almost lost for words. “Erm, I’ll take a small glass of house red.”
