Chapter Ten #2
Atticus wore an expression Foster had never seen.
The softness in Atticus’ eyes was mesmerizing.
“I’m fine. There’s no way you don’t know I’ll demand what I want, so put that to rest. But I knew coming into this thing how you feel about the whole pain aspect.
You’ve already made yourself clear. I’d definitely tell you if I needed more, but you can’t force yourself to be into things you’re not, nor should you have to. ”
“I know you’d tell me. That’s the thing. I don’t want you to have to tell me that because I keep you happy.” Foster swiped a hand over his face, trying to hold back his emotions. He was pretty certain Atticus would be out if he showed too much of his heart. “Let’s forget this conversation.”
“No.” Atticus meant that no. There was a note to his tone that screamed finality. “Do you have any of your work gear with you?”
Atticus knew how to confuse him like no one else could. “Yeah. It goes everywhere with me.”
Atticus didn’t give him time to question the wild swing in topic.
“Good. You’re a watcher and hunter by nature.
One reason I never called you out until I was worried you’d been shot is because I knew how much you enjoy the stalk.
” Atticus’ mouth lifted in one corner in a sexy smirk.
“Let’s meet in the middle.” He reached over and grabbed a lube bead from the bedside table.
Foster enjoyed the show as Atticus inserted it. His mood had already shifted. Atticus knew how to get him hotter than anyone ever had, and distract him from his doubts.
Unfortunately, Atticus immediately popped from the bed. He strolled toward the door totally nude. Atticus grabbed the knob and looked over his shoulder. “I suggest you find me before I give the household a show.”
While Foster tried keeping up with the situation, he was slow to piece together that Atticus wanted Foster to hunt him.
The door snapped closed behind Atticus. An evil smile stretched his lips.
He took his time getting dressed and donning his gear.
If Foster believed in anything, it was Atticus’ ability to slip through the shadows and go unseen.
Of course, he was just as likely to walk straight through the house with no shame.
Foster pulled his LED mask on last and switched it to night vision.
He headed out knowing full well he would find Atticus and fuck him hard. This was one game he couldn’t fail.
Atticus watched from the darkened pool house as Foster stayed hidden while searching every inch of the backyard.
The way he moved had Atticus hard and ready to go.
For such a big guy, Foster was an expert at not being seen.
Atticus only saw him because he knew Foster.
A smile popped to his lips. Foster couldn’t hide from him.
His smile bled away as quickly as it came.
Foster thought he was bored. Damn. Atticus had always been shameless.
There was nothing he had done throughout the years he regretted.
Whatever made him feel, he did that shit.
But knowing Foster thought he was so twisted he couldn’t walk away from something not integral to his life for a shot at happiness.
That shit stung. He supposed they should have talked about it sooner.
Atticus couldn’t read minds, and he had a bad feeling Foster had stewed over this since day one.
There was a middle ground, though. Foster had gone hard the second he slapped Atticus’ ass.
It was obvious Foster wasn’t as uninterested as he wanted to be.
Atticus could show him how to embrace that.
But if it never happened, he would rather have Foster.
He had thought he was incapable of feeling as much as he did.
Atticus couldn’t stop now. He was too greedy to walk away.
The LED mask turned toward the pool house.
Atticus’ breath caught. Foster’s entire body moved with the sexiest determination.
Atticus’ heart beat faster the closer Foster got.
The mask had night vision. He would definitely see Atticus when he came through the door.
Atticus was done hiding. Still, he flattened himself against the wall.
The door opened. Atticus held his breath.
When the eyes of the mask landed on him and narrowed, Atticus tried to make a run for it.
Foster snatched him from the floor before he made it five steps.
Atticus laughed and struggled as Foster carried him toward the couch.
In no time, he was bent over the sofa getting fucked so hard, his feet kept leaving the ground.
He saw the LED mask hit the cushion beside his head.
Things moved too fast for his mind to keep up.
Foster had him ready to blow, but—somehow—Foster took him from bent over to folded up like a pretzel on the floor in a flash.
The violence in which Foster’s mouth covered his dragged a moan from Atticus.
Foster knew how to make him fly, cry, and scream.
He had no shot at catching his breath. Everything about the act was primal.
Atticus tore at Foster’s skin with his short fingernails.
An odd thought crept in. He had no idea when Foster had taken off his shirt.
Damn, this guy really had him fucked up.
Foster was insane if he thought he could bore Atticus.
He had no idea what grew between them, but it got bigger every day.
His entire body tensed, and he held his breath.
When the explosive orgasm hit, his whole body jerked.
He made sounds he didn’t know he could. Everything tingled, and pure ecstasy poured through him.
It was like an instant addiction developed.
Atticus already knew he wanted to do this again and again for the rest of his life.
Not once had Atticus seen a future for himself.
Now he did, and it was beautiful. When Foster came, Atticus held him. He swore love radiated from Foster.
“Fuck, Atticus. You have the best ideas.”
Atticus’ body shook with laughter. He was happier than he could recall ever being.
Atticus had a feeling he was already in love with Foster.
His heart skipped several beats at the thought.
Foster should run from him. Atticus was insane on a good day.
He could already think of a dozen terrible things he would do if Foster walked away. Foster hadn’t yet.
“I told you we could meet in the middle.”
Foster settled on his side next to Atticus.
While propping his head up, he stared down at Atticus and traced his finger through the rapidly cooling cum on Atticus’ stomach.
The smile he wore had everything vibrating inside Atticus.
“You were right. I’ll give credit where credit is due. ” His smile turned sweet. “Thank you.”
“I’m pretty sure I’m supposed to be thanking you.”
Foster turned serious. “No. I mean, thank you for listening to me without thinking I’m dumb.”
Atticus’ brows snapped together. The tone of his statement, along with the expression he wore, told Atticus everything. “You’re not dumb. Who made you feel that way? I can afford to hire your team to kill them.”
The smile was back, nearly making Atticus sigh.
“It’s more of a lifetime observation. Back in training, they always spoke to me as if my size and observational skills were the only things I had to offer.
I didn’t get as much training on anything educational like the other guys.
They wanted me to be that cuddly guy everyone trusts.
I could use a lovable ignorance to make people invite me into any situation and then mentally record everything I saw and heard.
Otherwise, besides learning how to shoot, I didn’t do the other programs. I only know two languages because I already spoke Russian, and I needed English.
” Foster lifted one shoulder in an uncomfortable-looking shrug.
“All that work to shape me and all they did was make me bitter and mean. You can’t beat a loving personality into anyone. ”
Despite the horrible confessions, a smile tugged at Atticus’ lips. “I see the caring person you are.”
Foster didn’t miss a beat. “That’s because I’m with you. You make me happy, and I feel things I’ve never felt. I don’t know. It’s you. I think we see each other differently than other people do.”
“Yeah.” Foster was right. Atticus was also pretty damn positive they had genuine feelings for each other.
A hint of sadness hit. He couldn’t imagine anyone truly loving him, and he damn sure had never seen himself falling in love with anyone else.
Atticus thought it was happening, though.
That terrified the fuck out of him. The moment Butch knew Atticus had something or someone to lose, he would set his sights on Foster and never let up until he was dead.
That left Atticus with only one option. It was time to kill Butch.