Page 68 of Atlas
“But it’s my first time.”
I grin, grabbing her around the waist and tugging her closer. She let’s out a yelp, laughing as her hands land against my chest. “You usually like it when I go fast,” I murmur in her ear before nipping along her jaw.
Her cheeks go pink, but she doesn’t pull away. Her fingers curl into my shirt the way they always do when I hold her to me. Like it’s the only place she wants to be and she’s clinging on for dear life.
“You’re such an arse,” she mutters, but her mouth is twitching like she’s fighting a smile.
“Maybe,” I say, brushing my nose along her temple, “but I’myourarse. Now come on, Rue. Live a little.”
She exhales hard, scanning the bike like it might bite her. “What if I fall off?”
“You won’t.”
“Easy for you to say. You’re not the one trusting your life to this small thing.”
I gasp in mock horror. “Don’t ever call my beast small again.” I hand her the spare helmet, watching as she hesitates. I take it back. “Let me,” I say, gently pushing it on her head and fastening the chin strap.
“Okay,” she says, drawing in a breath like she’s about to jump out of a plane. “But I swear to God, Atlas, if you go too fast, I will scream.”
I slide her visor closed. “I’m counting on it, baby.” Then, I swing my leg over the seat, fire the engine to life, and grin up at her. “Now get on.”
She hesitates for just a beat more, then climbs on behind me, legs awkward, body stiff. I feel her arms wrap around my waist, tentative at first, then tighter when I rev the engine. I reach back, my fingers sliding behind her knees as I drag her closer. “Hold on tight.”
And then we’re off.
The bike roars beneath us, and I can feel every inch of her pressed to my back. She’s tense at first. But as we roll through the streets, I feel the shift in her. The way her grip loosens, just a little. The way her body starts to move with the curves, instead of bracing against them.
I don’t take her far. Just enough to give her the thrill without pushing it. I keep it smooth, easy. Not because I’m soft, but because it’sher. And somehow, that changes everything.
When we slow to a stop overlooking the edge of the city, I kill the engine and glance over my shoulder. Rue’s eyes are wide, as she pushes her visor up.
I take off my helmet and hook it on the handlebars. “Well?” I ask.
She takes off the helmet, blinking like she can’t quite believe it. “Well I didn’t die.”
I laugh, twisting round and lifting her around the waist, placing her on my lap so she’s straddling me. I hang her legs over my thighs. “That’s usually how it goes.” I take her helmet and hook it on the other side.
“It was . . . thrilling,” she says on a breathy sigh. “Freeing.”
“Careful,” I murmur, cupping her jaw. “You’re sounding dangerously close to a biker’s girl.”
She scoffs, but she’s smiling now. Bright and full and just for me. “Don’t get ahead of yourself.”
“Too late,” I whisper, before claiming her mouth. I’m already gone for her.
“I want to go again,” she whispers, a little breathless, her smile addictive.
Fuck.She liked it and it’s making me hard for her.
“You sure?” I murmur, curling my hand around her waist. My thumb slips under the hem of her tee, finding the warmth of her bare skin. “You looked pretty terrified back there.”
“I was.” She leans in closer. “And I enjoyed it.”
Jesus. Her voice is low, almost teasing, and I don’t think she has a clue what she’s doing to me. Or maybe she does.
“You feel that?” I ask, pressing her tighter to me. There’s no hiding the hard line of my cock through my jeans. “That’s what you do to me, Rue.”
Her breath catches, but she doesn’t pull away. Her hips shift slightly, enough to make my jaw clench.
