Chapter 16
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
CALVIN
Atlas snores.
Loudly.
I think he might need an appointment for a sleep study, because Jesus. He’s really calling the hogs this morning.
I can’t help but smile.
It’s been years since I woke up with someone. Waking up to a warm man snoring in my bed is… heaven.
Atlas has one arm and a leg thrown around me, as if he thinks I’ll leave. He shouldn’t ever worry about that. I’m not going anywhere.
In the general sense. In the literal sense, he’s snoring in my ear.
Taking his hand, I bring it to my mouth and kiss the back before I murmur, “Atlas, wake up.”
The snoring ceases almost instantly and my man is alert, pulling me closer so my back is tight against his chest. “Good morning, beautiful.”
Chuckling, I say, “You’re a terrible snorer.”
“So I’ve been told. Did I wake you?”
I shake my head. “No. I was already getting up. I slept like the dead.”
It’s been a while since I’ve felt so well rested. I stretch my arms over my head, arching my back like a cat.
Turning over so I’m face-to-face with Atlas, I smile as I place my hand on his cheek. He looks adorably sleep rumpled, his dark hair all over his head, and his eyes still a little fuzzy.
“Good morning. How’d you sleep?”
His smile is soft and sweet, making my heart melt. “Good. I woke up to you.”
My cheeks heat, but I give him a sardonic smile. “Flattery, Mr. Sinclair.”
Face serious, Atlas grips my chin and stares deeply into my eyes. “It’s not flattery if it’s true. I’m the luckiest man in the world because I got to wake up with you this morning.” He runs a thumb over my lower lip, making my breath catch in my throat. “You’re even more beautiful than I imagined.”
Okay, Atlas is going to make me cry before seven in the morning.
He rolls on top of me and I spread my legs so he can settle between them. “Do you need to go home to get some scrubs today?”
“No, I have a set in my locker for emergencies and a set in my car as backup for the emergencies.” Atlas chuckles. “What? I’m a nurse. Sometimes, people have fluids that get everywhere. I always keep a change of clothes in both my locker and my car.”
“So you don’t need to go back home?”
I shoot him a dry look. “Stop trying to kidnap me, Atlas. We have a few days before I have to leave, but I do have to go back home. Okay?” He pokes his lip out in a pout and I can’t help but laugh.
“Oh, stop. I’m not going anywhere just because I need clothes.
Sheesh. You’re the worst. Now let me up so I can get ready for work. ”
Stealing a quick kiss, he rolls off me, but wraps me in his arms. In a serious tone, he says, “You know I’ll take care of you, right?”
“Just like I’ll take care of you.” Looking over my shoulder at him, I say, “We’ll be okay. We just have to get through it.”
I climb out of bed and go into the bathroom to take a shower. Once the water is as hot as I want it, I step under the spray and sigh, gearing myself up for the day. Not only will it be a long day because I have a twelve-hour shift, but I have to watch my back to make sure Mitchell doesn’t show up.
I’m not sure if he knows where I work, but it wouldn’t be hard to find me.
Also, that Keegan fuck knows who I am and has taken pictures of me at the hospital. They won’t have to wonder where I am all day.
I’m snapped out of my thinking when the shower curtain is pulled back and Atlas steps in behind me. “I started the coffeemaker. By the time we’re done here, it’ll be done percolating.”
“You’re a god,” I murmur.
We take a quick shower, only exchanging a few kisses and touches. While I want nothing more than to have Atlas so far down my throat he bumps my tonsils, I don’t like being late to work. So any playing will have to wait until after my shift.
Once we’re both clean, I get dressed in some clothes Atlas laid out for me, both the shirt and pants swimming on my smaller frame. Having his bigger clothes on makes me feel safe, protected.
When I’m dressed, Atlas hands me a travel mug of coffee and I offer him my lips, thanking him for taking such good care of me.
“Let’s get you to work, sweetheart.”
“Is it ‘bring your man to work’ day?” Shameka asks as I stand in line for lunch.
I glance over at her and pull a face, making her laugh. Then I glance at Atlas, who’s waiting for me to grab lunch while he types on his laptop.
For the past few hours of my shift, Atlas hasn’t been far from me. He hasn’t gone as far as shadowing me while I do my rounds, but it’s been a near thing. I’m lucky Shameka’s my charge nurse and is super fucking chill.
Though I know I can take care of myself, I’m glad to have Atlas around, making sure no one fucks with me. I don’t have to check over my shoulder every time I step out of a room or watch my back when I get supplies.
I’ve probably lost my mind by trusting one killer over another, but I know Atlas won’t hurt me. I can feel it. I’ve known Mitchell since I was a child, and he has no problem threatening to hurt me if he can.
Focusing back on Shameka, I say, “No. He just wants to see what I do every day,” I lie smoothly.
She hums as if she doesn’t believe a word I say. “Well, since he’s here, creeping around my hallways, you might as well introduce me.”
“You’ve met him already,” I point out as I grab Atlas and myself a sandwich from the cold bar.
“Not really.” She hustles behind me as I pile fruit into two bowls for us. “He was a patient. Now he’s a boyfriend.”
Boyfriend.
I’ll never get over that word. Though… we’re both a little old for it. Especially Atlas.
“He’s my partner,” I emphasize and that feels more accurate. Whatever is going on, whatever happens, we’re in this together. We are partners, in every sense of the word.
She nods. “Yes, your partner. I want to meet him.” Shameka gives me puppy dog eyes and pokes her lip out. “Please. I swear I’ll be nice.”
I huff but give in. “Come on. I know you’re not going to leave me alone until I do.”
With a squeal, she skips behind me, and I smile at her antics.
As we get closer to our table, Atlas looks up from his work and grins at me.
I swear my knees go weak with just that small lift of his lips.
Butterflies dance in my belly as my cheeks heat under his gaze.
God, he’s so fucking handsome. How could a smile make me feel like the most beautiful man in the world?
I sit down and slide the tray between us. Atlas pushes his laptop away and reaches for the fruit first, smiling as he pops a grape in his mouth. “Thank you. I was starved.”
“I figured.” I give him a look. “You didn’t eat breakfast this morning.”
“Neither did you.”
“I had coffee. That is my breakfast.”
Before we can finish our banter, Shameka clears her throat obnoxiously.
I honestly forgot she was there. When Atlas smiled at me, the whole world fell away and I only had eyes for him.
Atlas looks up at her, flashing that killer grin, and Shameka melts. This man turns on the charm whenever he can. “Hi. I’m Atlas.”
Shameka takes his outstretched hand, her gaze dreamy. “Well, hello there, handsome. Nice to meet you. I’m Shameka.” I roll my eyes at her flirting. If she wasn’t so in love with her husband, I’d feel some type of way. “What are your intentions with my Calvin?”
Atlas takes his hand back and places it over his heart. “I’ll be a gentleman.”
“Calvin doesn’t need a gentleman,” she says, popping her hands on her hips. “He needs someone who’ll have him touching his toes and—”
“Okay, enough of that,” I say, shooing her away. “Don’t you have some charting to do?”
She hums. “Fine, keep him to yourself. One of these days, you’ll let me grill him.”
“Over my dead body,” I murmur as she waves and leaves us to our lunch. “Sorry about her. She means well, I promise.”
Atlas nods as he bites into a strawberry. “She cares about you.”
“She cares about annoying me.”
He laughs in a deep rumble. “You okay?” he asks. I know he’s not simply asking about my physical well-being.
Sighing, I peel the plastic from my sandwich, but I don’t take a bite. “Yeah, I guess. I feel like someone’s going to pop out of the shadows and try to attack me when I drop my guard. I just feel keyed up.”
His expression softens as he grabs my hand. “Anything I can do to help?”
“I mean… there are a bunch of supply closets on my floor. A kiss or two might help calm me down when I’m feeling overwhelmed.”
A slow, sexy smile spreads across Atlas’s face and I feel warm all over. “I think I can manage that.”