[Avery's POV]Four hours and a dozen dress shops later, I stand in front of the Franklin clutching Gregory's arm while he hands over his invitation for the evening's event to a bouncer."Enjoy yourself, Mr. Jennings," he grunts, unlocking the red stanchion in front of us."Nodding, Gregory moves, and I follow while trying not to trip on my gown.After visiting multiple dress shops, he finally approved a long red dress with gemstone designs that resembled roses on it that ruffled around my feet and kept threatening to get caught on my heels.I didn't understand why the most inconvenient dress was his choice, but I also didn't argue, as I was fed up with playing dress-up with him."Ready?" He asks once we are inside and can hear the chatter of guests. "It's time to make a grand entrance.""As I'm going to be."Tightening my hold on Gregory, I allow myself to be led up a flight of stairs that leads to a grand ballroom where the guests for the evening gather around, waiting for Atlas and
[Atlas’ POV]Avery’s body shivers against mine as I continue to rub along her soaked underwear, teasing her more and more while she attempts to break free of my hold."At…" she whimpers. "We can’t, not here.""We can," I counter, sitting down so that she is on my lap. "And if you aren’t quiet, we may get caught." Moaning, she relaxes against me while I pull my hand out to show her. "Look how excited you already are. Is this because you get a thrill out of possibly getting caught?""N-no," she responds, but by the way her cheeks flush, I know that she actually is. "But I need…""What?" I hiss, feeling my anger spike. "You need to get back to that brat, Gregory."When I saw her there with him, it took everything I had not to rush over and pull her away. It was with luck that I spotted her running, and not wanting to miss an opportunity, I made my move. Now that she was here with me, I was going to remind her who she belonged to.I was sure that brat Gregory was up to something and force
[Avery's POV]I watch the screen in front of me with wide eyes, taking in the woman who is bouncing on top of a man that isn't Atlas.So this was the reason he agreed to come to this, so that he could get out of his forced engagement without looking like the bad guy and making Francine the victim.As this realization dawns, the video switches to one of Francine walking into an OBGYN with the very same man and hugging him as she most certainly discovers that she is pregnant."Wow," Gregory chuckles, reminding me of his presence. "I knew she was a whore, but damn.""You knew?" I ask, tearing my gaze from the screen. "How?""I may have fucked her a few times," he shrugs. "I knew my old man wasn't serious about her, and I took advantage of the easy lay."Eyes widening I take Gregory in, looking for a hint of him lying, but the serious look on his face says that he isn't.Shit, Francine really did get around, fucking both father and son."What?" He chuckles as I continue to stare. "Weren't
[Avery’s POV]"No more," I pant, too exhausted to go on."You really need to build up your stamina, little minx," Atlas chuckles, pulling out of me and then rolling over so he lays beside me. "Don’t worry, I’ll help you."Feeling myself blush, I don’t speak as I take in the man in front of me. It was still so hard to believe that what started off as a drunken, spur-of-the moment decision escalated to whatever was going on between us now."What?" Atlas smirks, brushing a hand along my cheek. "Am I so handsome you can’t help but stare?""Something like that," I admit, cuddling closer. "But there’s something that is bothering me.""And what is that?" He asks, cocking an eyebrow."What are we?"The question is leaving my lips before I even get the chance to really think about it, and I instantly regret it when Atlas’ expression shifts from light-hearted to somewhat guarded."And what do you think this is?" He asks, fixing his serious gaze on mine."I…" I gasp as he rolls us over, so I’m s
[Avery's POV]After that, my days were spent cleaning Atlas' condo, being with my mother, working at the strip club, and then coming back to Atlas.I had to admit that life seemed almost perfect except for the fact that my mother still hadn't woken up, but I still had faith that she eventually would.With each passing day, the doctors insisted that she was making progress, and they had no doubt she would pull through, and that kept my spirits up.However, despite all the good that was happening, there was still something that had been nagging at me since my last run-in with Francine, and that was the single particular room that I wasn’t allowed to enter in Atlas’ condo.The rule about his room went out the window, and we frequented it quite often, along with every other surface of his condo except for that room.Now, I stand in front of it, trying to determine what could be so secret that he didn’t want me near it, especially when he claimed that he was making a sincere effort to purs
[Avery’s POV]"This is what you meant by distraction?" I ask, taking in the club around me and all the people that grind against one another. "A dance club.""What?" Gregory smirks. "Do you not know how to dance?""It isn’t that," I respond, continuing to let my eyes take in the area. "It’s just that…""Are you going to blow me off?""No," I sigh, deciding it wouldn’t be so bad to unleash some of my anger by dancing. "Fine, let’s go."I don’t wait for an answer before I grab Gregory’s hand and pull him into the flood of bodies while he follows closely behind.Once we’ve made it to the middle, I begin to move my hips while he places his hands on my sides and moves along with me until we become the center of attention.I had to admit that initially I thought it would have been awkward to dance with him, but I was actually beginning to enjoy myself, and I could feel my anger and hurt from earlier beginning to disappear.As the music changes, I whirl around and then press myself against G
[Atlas' POV]The next morning, I get out of bed early and go for a run to clear my head.Since Avery left the night before, I hadn't been able to settle down, and the urge to go and find her was consuming me. However, I didn't dare to, as I knew that no matter what, she wouldn't forgive me until I told her about the dark room, and she just wasn't ready for it yet.I knew that I was in the wrong to not show it to her, but I truly feared that if she found out about it, she would most certainly leave me. But now, even though I hadn't shown her it, she left me, so I was in a lose-lose situation.Growing more frustrated, I quicken my pace until I find myself standing in front of a new stand with my gaze fixed on the morning paper and the two that are plastered on the front page."How much?" I hiss, trying to ignore the boiling rage that was consuming me. "How much for all of them?""S-sorry," the stand worker stammers. "Y-you want…""I didn't stutter," I snap, pulling out my wallet. "How m
[Avery's POV]My mind reels as I busy myself vacuuming the upstairs and then wiping down all the furniture.I hadn't meant to walk in on Atlas and Gregory's conversation. It was pure fucking coincidence that I walked in at that time, and due to that, I knew how Atlas truly felt about me.In a way, I knew it from the very beginning given the difference in our backgrounds, but I had hoped, and it was because of that hope that I was left to be the fool once again.Sighing, I collapse onto the guest room bed and bury my head in my hands as the sting of betrayal rushes through me.I should have expected this, but I believed that asshole Atlas. But I still wanted so desperately to believe that someone out there cared, and it was proven again that they didn't."Get it together," I hiss, lifting my head and examining myself in the mirror that sits on the wall across from me. "This isn't you."Deciding I wasn't going to let all this get me down, I got up and continued with what I was doing bef
[Avery’s POV]"Congratulations, Mrs. Jennings!” My doctor beamed, handing me a long sheet of ultrasound pictures. “You’re pregnant!”Nodding, I took in the tadpole-looking creature in the pictures that I had been handed. Although I expected that this was what was wrong with me when the nausea and dizziness started, it was still amazing to see.Atlas and I had been back together for two years, and despite our best attempts, we hadn’t managed to get pregnant. Just when I was beginning to lose hope, here I was, pregnant.“Thank you,” I beam, hopping off the examination table.“Of course, be sure to give this to whatever pharmacy you use.”Smiling, I take the prescription for a prenatal from him and then head out. After dropping off the prescription, I head to the store to buy a few things before heading home.When I arrive, Atlas and Aiden still haven’t arrived, giving me the perfect opportunity to set up my surprise for them. By the time I’m finished, both appear, and before I can even
[Atlas’ POV]The feeling of an empty space beside me jolts me awake as irrational thoughts begin to overcome me, each worse than the other. Since a week before mine and Avery’s wedding, nightmares of her disappearing on me again began to haunt me, and even now that we were married and even on our honeymoon, the fear that she would just vanish forever still left me in a panic.As I take in the large empty room around me, the fear continues to grow until it is damn near suffocating and I feel like I’m going to throw up.Jumping up, I rush out and take in the empty living room. The sight only makes my panic grow.“Avery!” I call, starting to move again, this time in the direction of the kitchen. “Where are you?”The sound of the fridge door closing comes in response to my question, and before I can stop myself, I’m rushing forward until I see her standing at the counter with a bowl of fruit in one hand and whipped cream in the other.“Atlas?” She asks, her eyes widening in shock. “What’s
[Avery’s POV]I stare at my reflection in the mirror in front of me. As I take in the woman staring back at me, I feel my heart fluttering with anticipation and my stomach churning with nerves.After a year of planning, it was finally the big day where Atlas and I would become husband and wife. I was both excited and terrified, as the thought of forever still scared me.Taking a few deep breaths, I push my long, dark hair, which is curled to perfection, over my shoulder so that my bare shoulders are exposed. Frowning, I let my gaze come to rest on a single hickey that Atlas placed on me the night before.“Asshole,” I grumble, reaching for some foundation so that I could cover it.“Let us, miss!” Melanie, my beautician, gasps. “Today is your day to relax and be pampered!”“It isn’t that big of a deal,” I point out, but allow her to take the blending sponge from me. “You’ve already done enough!”As I speak, I take in my reflection once more, admiring the professionally placed makeup on
[Atlas’ POV]My dick throbs at Avery’s words, and I can’t control myself. Reaching out, I lift her into my arms and beeline straight for the bedroom. Once inside, I throw her on the bed and then go to the dresser to find a belt.“Hands out,” I announce after I’ve found it.Nodding, she does as I say, holding her wrists together in anticipation of being confined.“Such a good girl,” I murmur, wrapping the belt in place. “Now lay on your stomach.”I watch as she moves around, laying on her stomach and sticking her ass up in the air for me. Giving a giggle, she waggles it about until my hand connects with it.“Oh, Atlas!” She gasps as I smack her ass again and then slowly run my fingers over the beautiful handprint that now colors her porcelain skin. “More.”“Do you like it when I spank you, little minx?” I ask, smacking her ass again. “Does it turn you on that much to be punished by me?”“It does,” she confirms, laying her head on the bed and closing her eyes. “I love it when you do any
[Avery’s POV]I stare on in disbelief as Atlas looks up at me with so much love and determination that it makes my heart feel full.“Avery King,” he begins, opening the box so that I can see a diamond ring with opalesque accents. “I’ve been waiting five years to ask you this, and I don’t want to wait any longer. Since the day you came crashing into my life, I couldn’t get you off my mind, and with each second, minute, hour, day, week, month, and even year, I grow more and more enamored with you.”With each word, my heart beats faster until I’m sure it is going to beat out of my chest, but I want to hear more.“I’ve said it many times, but those five years without you were torture. Your smiling face, adorable gestures, and strength and beauty haunted my every waking moment. Never in my life have I met someone who could possess me so wholeheartedly—mind, body, and soul—but you managed to do it, and now I never want to let you go. I want you to be my first good morning and my last goodni
[Avery’s POV]My cheeks flush ferociously as Atlas stares at me, unspeaking. Dammit, couldn’t he say something? The silence was beginning to make me feel like I had said something wrong.“Wait til I get you alone,” he finally growls, his eyes darkening. “I’m going to..."“Mr. Jennings!”Saved by the doctor. Letting out a sigh, I turn my gaze to watch him walk in with a push cart filled with the items needed to remove the bullets from Atlas’ body.“Now isn’t a good time,” Atlas tries, but stops as I narrow my gaze on him. “Fine,” he sighs, letting out a chuckle. “But make it quick.”For a moment, the doctor doesn’t speak as he looks from Atlas to me and back, but when he decides that whatever was going on wasn’t too serious, he focuses on Atlas.“Whatever it was, I can wait.”After that, he busies himself digging into Atlas’ skin so that he could pull out each and every bullet that was lodged in him. Once he finishes, he stitches the holes closed and then wraps them.“Now,” he begins,
[Atlas’ POV]“Can’t you go any faster?”I fix my gaze on the medic that is working on wrapping my injuries as my impatience grows more and more.“Sir, I’m going as quickly as I can,” he responds, not bothering to hide his annoyance. “You’ve got bullets lodged in your body, and you’re demanding that we simply wrap your injuries and allow you to go.”“If you’re just going to fuss, then I'm..."“Going to allow these nice men to continue their job,” Dean offers, pressing a finger against one of my wounds.Hissing in pain, I shoot him a glare but remain silent until finally the medic finishes and steps back.“That should keep you from bleeding out,” he says, still looking uncomfortable. “But you really do need to come in and let us perform surgery to get those bullets out.”“Only once I’m sure my wife and child are okay,” I counter, getting up and throwing on my jacket. “Dean, let’s go.”Nodding, Dean follows me to his awaiting car. I climb inside and wait until he slips into the driver's
[Avery’s POV]I stare at the hole where the elevator had just been while my heart hammers in my chest. It was hard to believe that I was just mere minutes away from plummetting to my death, and that left me frozen to the spot, but I knew that I couldn’t continue to stay here.“We need to get out of here,” I announce, tearing my gaze away and fixing it on the man and woman who had helped me. “What floor are we on?”“Tenth,” the man responds.Right. So we had ten more floors to reach freedom.“Then there are ten floors between us and safety,” I continue, getting to my feet.As I stand, a hiss of pain escapes me as the cloth of my shirt pulls against the injury on my back.“Oh my goodness,” the woman gasps. “You’re hurt!”“It’s fine,” I assure her, trying to ignore the pain I feel. “Which way are the stairs?”“This way,” the man responds.Nodding, I motion for him to lead the way as I pick up Aiden and cradle him in my arms. Despite everything that he was currently experiencing, he was a
[Atlas’ POV]The feel of nails running along my skin rouses me from the darkness that I’m encompassed in, but something about them feels wrong. They’re much too sharp, and instead of feeling pleasant tingles from them, I feel nothing but disgust.Grunting, I attempt to roll away from them, but find that my wrists and ankles are bound.Prying open my eyes, I take in Tonia as she lays beside me with a look of contentment and pride on her face.“Oh, did I wake you?” She giggles, continuing to let her fingertips caress my skin. “I wanted to let you sleep a bit longer, but when I see you without a shirt, I just can’t help myself.”Without a shirt? What the fuck was this woman talking about?Frowning, I tear my gaze away from Tonia and take in my naked torso. Further down, I can see my briefs, but they’re the only thing that I’m wearing.“Where are my clothes?” I growl, attempting to move again, only to be reminded that I’m currently trapped. “Have you lost your fucking mind?”Was she reall