Chapter 25
CHAPTER 25
ATLAS
R olling over, I reach for Nora, intent on getting in some early morning cuddles, but my fingers only find cold sheets.
I bolt upright, frantically patting the sheets as if she’s hiding under them.
“Nora?”
“Atlas…”
I snap my eyes toward the sound of her voice, relief instantly filling me when I find her sitting at my desk, clutching her diary to her chest.
“Fuck, Pip.” I spear my fingers through my hair, making it stand on end.
“You weren’t in the bed and I just… panicked.”
“I’m here.” She places her diary down on the desk and joins me in the bed.
“I’m okay.”
As soon as she’s within reach, I tug her body into mine so that she’s basically sprawled out on top of me with my arms wrapped snugly around her waist.
“Are you?” I keep my tone light, not wanting to upset her after how last night ended.
She nods, rubbing her cheek against my chest. “I am.”
“Do you want to talk about it?”
Sighing, she rolls off me and into an upright position.
“There’s not much to talk about.”
I heft myself up, resting my back against the headboard.
“I think there is, but only if you’re comfortable with it.”
She twines our fingers together before continuing.
“I’ve spent enough time letting him control me. I’m done with that. I knew he was still out there, but hearing the news talk about him made it real, if that makes sense. But I refuse to live my life in fear of him. He’s a monster, and I have to believe he’ll get what he deserves.”
I study her a moment before responding.
Her face is open and honest. She truly means what she’s saying.
“Okay then.”
“Okay?” Her brows dip as she scrunches her nose.
“Just like that?”
The confused look on her face is too damn cute.
“Yeah, just like that. I trust you, Nora, so if you say you’re good, then I’m inclined to believe you.”
“You’re a good man, Atlas.” She leans forward and kisses my cheek.
Those words right there, they’re at the top of the list of things I’ll never get tired of hearing her say.
“You make me want to be the best.”
“You already are.” This time she kisses my lips, soft and slow.
The kind of kiss that’s over too soon and leaves me wanting more.
“So, what’s on the agenda for today?”
“I don’t know, you tell me.” Because if it were up to me, we’d stay right here in my bed, wrapped up in one another, all damn day.
But the sparkle in her hazel eyes tells me she has something in mind.
“I think I recall something about you teaching me to drive…”
“Hell yeah, Pip. Let me grab a shower and it’s on.”
“This is hopeless!” Nora pouts, banging her tiny fist against the steering wheel in defeat.
“No, it’s not,” I murmur, hiding my smile behind my hand.
“You’re doing great.”
“I’m pretty sure little old grannies drive better than me.”
“Well,” I drawl, “to be fair, they’ve been driving a lot longer than you.”
She growls, and I can’t help it, I laugh.
She’s just too damn cute.
“Atlas! It’s not funny.” She crosses her arms over her chest and glares at me.
“Okay, but it kind of is.” I lean over and shift my truck into park.
“You’ve been behind the wheel for all of two hours, Pip. These things take time, so cut yourself some slack.”
“How long did it take you?” she asks.
“About a week—and I failed my driver’s test the first time I took it.”
“Really?”
“Really, really. In fact, I still suck at parallel parking, so you might have to get Ellis to teach you that.”
The way Nora’s so hard on herself kills me.
She’s got the mechanics of driving down; she just needs some finesse.
“I guarantee that if you keep practicing, you’ll be driving like a pro in no time.”
“If you say so.” Her shoulders droop as she turns away from me.
“I do say so, and I’m always right—just ask Ellis. But I also think we should call it for today and maybe grab a bite to eat.”
She slides her gaze back my way.
“Food does sound good.”
“Perfect. Why don’t we swap places, and I’ll drive? Mexican sound good?”
“Oh.” She sighs dreamily.
“Cheese dip sounds divine.”
“Your wish is my command, Pip.”
I expect her to unbuckle and walk around to trade places, but Nora’s full of surprises and instead twists on the bench seat and climbs over me.
Or she starts to, at least, but decides to pause straddling my lap.
“You sound pretty good right now, too, though.” A sensuous smile curls her lips as she stares down at me.
“Do I?” God, I love this bold side of her.
It speaks to her growth and comfort with me.
“Mmhmm.” She licks her lips and settles her weight fully onto me.
My dick rises to attention as she squirms on my lap, her body already seeking friction.
“What are you going to do about that?” I ask, bringing my hands down on her hips, stilling her restless movements.
She pouts for a millisecond before lunging for my mouth.
This kiss is nothing like any of our others.
It’s sloppy and hungry and loud.
Our teeth scrape and our tongues mash together as we devour one another.
“Fuck, Pip,” I grunt as she rocks against me.
I’m a twenty-six-year-old man and about to come in my pants, dry humping in my truck.
“We gotta stop.”
“Why?” She sucks on my lower lip, and I swear I feel it in my cock.
“Because you deserve better than a truck seat bench.” I nudge her with my nose, gently breaking our kiss.
“Because when we take things further than kissing, it’s going to be in my bed, where I can worship you the way you deserve.”
Nora melts against me, pressing her forehead to mine.
“Well, when you put it like that, I guess I can wait.”
“Good.” I kiss the tip of her nose.
“Because what we have, what we’re building, it’s worth doing it right. You’re worth doing it right. I love you, Pip, and I’m damn sure going to do right by you.”
A surprised gasp escapes her.
“You—you love me?”
I swallow thickly, bracing myself for her reaction.
No matter what it is, my feelings stand.
She’s it for me. “Yeah, I do.”
“But I-I’m broken, Atlas, and you deserve someone?—”
“Shh.” I bring my index finger to her lips.
“First of all, you’re not broken. But even if you were, I’d love every single piece. And it’s okay if you don’t feel the same. I’m willing to wait. And if loving me isn’t something you can ever see happening, then I’m willing to step back. All I want is the best for you, Nora, no matter how that looks.”
“It’s you.” She whispers the words, but they seem to echo in the cab of my truck.
“You’re the best for me. For us.”
It wasn’t an I love you, but I’ll gladly take what she’s offering because it’s coming.
I know it is, and I’m patient enough to wait.