Total pages in book: 124
Estimated words: 119476 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 597(@200wpm)___ 478(@250wpm)___ 398(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 119476 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 597(@200wpm)___ 478(@250wpm)___ 398(@300wpm)
For the second time today, Nora studies me like I’m a problem to be solved. But this time, it’s my jizz that holds her focus.
She leans forward and drags one finger through the milky substance, smearing it around a bit. “So warm,” she murmurs, before bringing her finger to her lips, tasting my release. The face she makes has me grinning big. “Still salty, though.”
Jesus Christ. That’s it, lights out, I’m finished—this woman is too damn much for me. Somehow innocent and sexy all at once, she’s got me tied up in knots.
“Pip.” I rasp her name, and she whips her head up to look at me.
But instead of the desire I expect to see reflected back at me in her gaze, I find fear.
“I-I’m sorry,” she starts, trying to scramble away from me.
“Hey, no.” I hold my hands up, showing her I’m not a threat despite wanting nothing more than to yank her back into my arms. “You’re fine. Nothing to apologize for.”
Tears fill her eyes, and I feel like the biggest asshole on the planet. I should have slipped out of the bed when I had the chance.
“What’s wrong, pretty girl? Talk to me.” I tug my shirt over my head and use it to wipe up my stomach before sliding my sweats back up. “I hate seeing you cry. Hate it even more when it’s my fault. Did I push you too far?”
I spear my fingers through my hair. Of course, I did, because I’m a selfish bastard. She showed a modicum of interest, and I lost my composure. God.
“No!” She all but shouts the word. “It’s not you. I—it’s me. I took advantage of you, Atlas, and that was wrong, and I’m sorry. I’m so, so sorry.” She wails the last word, crumpling into a heap on my chest.
My heart beats erratically in my chest as she cries tears of misplaced guilt.
“Nora, I need you to listen to me.” I thread my fingers through her messy hair so that I can see her eyes. “Can you do that?”
She sits up and then nods.
“Nothing about what just happened between us wasn’t enthusiastically consensual on my part. I meant it when I said you can touch or taste any part of me, any time. As far as I’m concerned, you have carte blanche when it comes to me. Do you understand?”
“D-do you mean that?” She tucks her hair behind her ear, searching my face for any hint of deception.
“Wholeheartedly, Pip.” I stroke my fingers over her lightly freckled cheek. “As long as you’re okay with what just happened between us, I am, too. And if nothing else ever happens, that is fine, too. You set the pace, and I’ll gladly follow, okay?”
“I don’t deserve you, Atlas Wallace.”
“That’s where you’re wrong.” I lean forward and press a soft kiss to her lips. “You deserve every good thing there is, and then some. And if I happen to fit into that somewhere, then I’m the luckiest motherfucker on the whole planet.”
DIARY ENTRY, PRESENT DAY
Dear Diary,
It’s been three days since Atlas let me make him come.
Oh my God, just writing that has me blushing.
After our…encounter… I texted Maggie for an emergency appointment.
Luckily, she was able to chat with me the next day. It was a little—okay, a lot—awkward telling her why I needed to talk to her so urgently when we had just talked the day before, but I’m so glad I did.
I also confessed to her, and now to you, Diary, that while I don’t know that I’m ready to be touched, touching Atlas like that made me feel powerful. The fact that I was able to make someone so big and strong tremble with need was… gratifying.
Not to mention, he was respectful of me every step of the way. But a small part of me felt like it was all too fast.
Thankfully, Maggie was able to give me the perspective I was lacking. She told me the only person who can decide what I’m ready for is me, and that there’s no right or wrong pace.
Which brings me to my new predicament…
I want more. More of Atlas, more of his pleasure, more of the power that comes with making his knees shake.
I’m just not sure how to go about asking him. I know he said I could put my hands and mouth on him any time, but I can’t very well just walk up and grab his junk, now can I?
But I think asking out loud might be even worse. I don’t know.
I remember one time Mama said if someone wasn’t mature enough to talk about it, then they weren’t mature enough to do it. So, I guess I better practice in the mirror or something, because my body is so keyed up with need I’m liable to jump him if I don’t.