[Avery's POV]Heat races through me where Atlas's hands and lips touch. It's a delicious heat that travels straight from each spot to my core, riling me up more and more until I can't think straight, and all I want is to find sweet relief from the man that is with me."Is this your way of saying raw is fine?" Atlas asks when I continue to cling to him in the pool. "Does this mean you're on birth control?""N-no," I rasp, trying to come down from my high. "I'm not.""Then shall we take this inside?"Before I can respond, his lips are on mine again, causing my mind to grow foggy aside from the tiny voice in the back of my head that is screaming no.Ignoring that voice, I cling to Atlas as he gets out of the pool, begins to carry me into the condo beyond, and then dumps me on the couch.Immediately, memories from the last time we were in this exact spot appear, and they dull my mood instantly."No," I announce, getting up and pressing myself against him. "Not here."Growing quiet I wait
[Avery's POV]"What the hell are you doing?"My voice echoes around us as I stare at Connor in disbelief.Why in the world did he follow me into the elevator? And why was he giving me such a serious stare?"I need to talk to you," he responds, his features going gentle. "Do you hate me so much that you won't even spare me a minute of your time?""Is that a trick question?"How could I feel nothing other than hatred after what he did to me? Cheating was one thing, but to cheat on me with my best friend was crossing the line."Listen," he sighs, pinning me against the wall. "I know that I fucked up, but you have to understand just how lonely I was while you were away for seven years."My eyes grow wide as I fight the urge to beat the shit out of him right here and now."Anyway," he continues when I don't speak. "Weren't you cheating too? And with my father no less!""I wasn't…" I begin, but stop as memories of that night I found him with Sadie appear. "And?" I finish, deciding not to re
[Atlas' POV]I stare up at the large mansion in front of me and find myself wondering why I am even here. It had been years since I came back to this place, yet here I was, obeying this bastard's command.My father and I had never had the best of relationships, and when I became a father at the age of seventeen due to my reckless behavior, I was kicked out and all my inheritances were cut so that I was left to do whatever it took to support myself and my little family.It was only after my business started taking off that my father acknowledged me again, but I didn't dare fall into his trap.Sighing, I shake off the memories of that time and head up the long walkway that leads to my own personal hell.Inside is just as I remembered, with pristine white carpets and walls that are covered in photos of my father with big-name business partners. In a way, it most certainly expresses the man's priorities given the fact there isn't a single fucking photo of my mother or me.As I continue to
[Avery’s POV]"Avery!"Bianca’s voice drifts toward me before the woman herself slams into me and wraps her arms around my waist. Her bare breasts press against my arms, and her large blue eyes come up to meet mine."It’s about time you arrived!"Frowning, I tried to make sense of her actions since I wasn’t even late, but by the way she was acting, you would think that I was."What’s wrong?" I ask, trying to pry myself free. "I’ve still got to change.""Hurry!" She pleads, her eyes growing wide.Suddenly getting a bad feeling, I pry Bianca off of me and hold her at arms length so I can take in her panicked expression along with all the others around the dressing room."What’s going on?" I demand. "Why do all of you look like you’re ready to run for the hills?""There’s a guest," she explains. "He’s very drunk and making a scene because you’re the only one he wants to dance for him!""An angry guest?" I repeat, raising a brow. "Why hasn’t security kicked him out?"Usually, when the gue
[Avery's POV]Soft moans begin to escape as Atlas' skilled fingers start to work my clit through my underwear while his teeth slide along my skin.Fuck, it felt amazing when this man touched me, but deep down I knew that this was wrong. However, despite knowing that, I couldn't stop myself from wanting more.As this thought hits, Atlas' fingers slip beneath my underwear and dip into my core while his thumb continues to rub me."Atlas," I whimper, no longer able to ignore the pleasure he was making me feel."What?" He murmurs, tightening his hold on my jaw and pulling up so that my eyes lock with his. "Tell me what you want, little minx."What I wanted... Was he really going to make me say it when he was pushing his fingers deeper and deeper into me?"Use your words," he continues, leaning forward and pressing his lips against mine."Mmm," I moan as he sucks my bottom lip into his mouth and then bites down on it. "More."I wanted so much more than just stolen kisses and moments of plea
[Atlas' POV]"Fuck, Atlas, yes!"Avery's voice echoes around us, vying with the sounds of our skin slapping against each other.Fuck, she sounded so good screaming for me, and her pussy felt fucking amazing squeezing my dick."That's right, little minx, keep letting me know I'm the one making you feel this good."Lifting a hand, I smack her ass and quicken my thrusts until, finally, I feel myself explode deep inside of her."Shit!" I hiss as she cums along with me. "Your pussy is trying to milk every last drop.""Not enough," she whimpers, beginning to sway back and forth while I remain unmoving. "I want more.""Dammit, woman!" I hiss, grabbing her hips and beginning to thrust again. "You're going to be my downfall."Afterwards, I pull out of her and then collapse on the couch, where she still lies panting, and throw an arm over my eyes.Finally, fucking finally, I got to taste her, and after just one time, I was addicted and knew that I had to have more, but what the hell was I think
[Atlas’ POV]I sit alone, staring at all the patrons that come and go from the small coffee shop I told Dean to meet me at. The bastard was already ten minutes late, and I was about ready to go hunt him down. However, before I can act on my desires, the man finally appears flushed and out of breath."Did you run all the way here?" I ask, eyeing him as he takes a seat in front of me. "Did the wife take your car keys again because you don’t spend enough time with her?""And whose fault is that?" He huffs, pulling at the tie around his neck. "You’ve been having me run so many damn errands recently.""Keep up the attitude, and I’ll triple those," I warn, taking a sip of my coffee."Sorry, sorry," he gasps, his eyes growing wide. "This one doth not know what he is saying.""That’s more like it," I chuckle, fixing my gaze on his. "Now, I didn’t call you here to argue, and I’d like to end this meeting quickly."As we spoke, Avery was at my condo cleaning, and if I managed to make it back wit
[Avery's POV]I stand in the doorway of Atlas' room, taking it in as I try to determine exactly what it was that I wasn't going to like. From the way he had acted downstairs, it was clear he expected a strong reaction from me, but why?It doesn't take me long to understand as my eyes come to rest on a vanity that sits to the side of the room. Various makeup, hair, and nail items sit on it as if waiting for their owner to return, mimicking, I'm almost certain, Atlas' deepest of heart.As I continue to look, I catch a glimpse of who this mysterious woman is as my eyes come to rest on a large portrait of Atlas and a beauty with long blonde hair and sparkling golden eyes. Standing in front of them are Connor and Gregory, both at least three years old with wide, toothy grins on their faces.Honestly, even Atlas's face holds a grin as the woman presses herself against him with her hand resting effortlessly on his chest."This was what you wanted me to see, right?" I ask, nodding toward the
[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