Chapter 3 #3
The fact that I felt safe enough to give my body over to him like that is a big deal.
I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I trust Atlas. The only other people in my life I’ve ever trusted are the girls.
With Atlas, it feels right. He feels like home. Like he was meant to be mine.
Grabbing my phone, I send Atlas a text.
Me
So, this date thing. What are we doing?
Atlas
It’s a surprise.
I blink at the phone. Really? That's all he’s going to give me.
I look at myself in the mirror. I’m dressed in jeans and a red tank top that shows off the top of my breasts. Is this okay to wear to a date? Should I put on a dress? Do I even own a dress?
Me
Okay, that doesn’t help me with my whole what do I wear thing.
Atlas
Show me what you’re wearing now.
Smiling, I shake my head.
Me
Really? Is this some cheesy way to ask ‘What are you wearing?’ Are you going to send me a dick pic next?
Atlas
Do you want a photo of my dick? Lol.
Me
I’d really rather see it in person. ;)
Atlas
Fuck me, Little Rose, you’re going to make me hard. I wasn’t asking to make it sound like I was hitting on you, or being pervy but now I’m not so sure.
Me
I really wanted to text back with ‘Show me’ but we just agreed, no dick pics.
Atlas
Damn it, Little Rose. You’re going to get a spanking, I swear.
Me
Oh no, the horror.
Atlas
Brat.
Me
Yes?
Atlas
Babe, show me what you’re wearing. Please.
Me
Fineeeee.
Unable to keep the smile off my face, I take a photo and send it to him.
Me
Here.
Atlas
What you have on is perfect. Wear sneakers or hiking boots.
Me
Are we going on a hike?
Atlas
Kind of.
Me
What does that mean!
Atlas
Just be ready to go in twenty.
Me
Okay, well I’m ready then.
Atlas
Be there soon, Little Rose. Thanks for agreeing to this date. I’ve been wanting to do this for a long time.
Me
Go on a date with me, or what we’re doing on the date?
Atlas
The first one. Be there soon xox.
Oh, and you look fucking gorgeous.
Snorting out a laugh, I look at myself again. I don’t see it. I’m in the same thing I’ve been wearing all day, regular old clothes.
But his compliment fills me with a rush of giddiness.
Atlas is knocking at my door fifteen minutes later.
“What if I wasn’t ready?” I ask as soon as I answer the door.
He grins down at me and god, it’s hard not to swoon. This man is so attractive, it’s not even funny. “Hello to you too, Little Rose.” His voice is thick and husky. He steps forward, closing the space between us, gripping my chin and pressing a kiss to my lips.
“Hi,” I breathe out, head spinning.
“To answer your question, I’d happily wait for you to be ready. I’d always wait for you, Briar.”
Damn this man. Why is he so perfect?
Stepping outside, I lock the door behind me.
“What are we doing? Where are we going?”
“You really don’t like surprises, do you?” he chuckles.
“No, I do. I’m also impatient depending on the circumstance.”
“I’m starting to see that,” he chuckles. I follow him down the steps, stopping when we get to his truck.
“Dirt bikes?” I ask, looking up at him.
“I know you ride a motorcycle, but what about dirt bikes?”
Excitement fills me as a smile splits my face. “Hell yeah. I fucking love riding.”
“I was hoping you'd say that.” His grin grows. “I wasn’t sure if you had one of your own or not.”
“I did, but that baby died last summer. I’ve been meaning to look for a new one.” I tell him as I help him unload the dirt bikes.
“Keep this one,” he tells me, pointing to the red one.
“What?” My eyes widen. “No. I can’t do that.”
“Why not? I only need one,” he shrugs. “And you’d be the only one I do this with, so why not make it easier and keep it here. And you keep it,” he chuckles.
“Are you sure?”
“I wouldn’t have suggested it otherwise.”
“Damn Atlas, you’re spoiling me. Big expensive gifts on a first date. You’ve set the bar high for anyone else.”
“No I haven’t.” He narrows his eyes. “Because there won’t be anyone else.”
From anyone else, that kind of statement would have had me on edge, my alarms going off.
From Atlas, it has me slicking and my nipples going painfully tight.
“Careful, Alpha. Keep talking like that and I’ll just drag you into my house and have my way with you,” I grin.
“That can wait until later,” he winks.
He grabs a backpack from his truck. I don’t ask what it’s for, but I am curious.
Taking the helmet he gives me, we get on and start them up. “Follow me?” he asks.
Nodding, we take off and I keep behind Atlas.
I’m not sure where we’re going, but he takes a turn that leads up into the mountains.
I’ve been dirt biking for years and have made my own trails on the mountain behind my property.
But as we get up there, I see that there’s a lot more trails I don’t know about.
For the next couple of hours, we explore the mountains. The thrill of the ride has me laughing, grinning and vibrating with adrenaline the whole time.
We keep going up the mountain, to new places I’ve never seen. I’m in awe.
By the time we stop again, we’re covered in mud.
“That was amazing,” I laugh. “I didn’t even know any of this existed. How long have you been sneaking around our mountains?”
He grins, taking off his helmet. “For a while,” he winks. “You mad?”
“Nah.” I wave him off.
“Hungry?” Atlas asks.
“I could eat,” I nod. “Should we get going?”
“Nope.” Atlas grabs his backpack off his back and opens it. “We got everything in here.”
“Huh.” I watch as he pulls out a blanket and lays it down. “Well look at that. My big mountain man of an alpha made me a picnic.”
“Oh hush,” he chuckles. “Come sit, eat, and watch the stars with me?”
Biting my lip, I nod, take my helmet off and join him on the blanket.
“Thank you,” I tell him after we’re done eating the fruit, cheese, and meats he brought. “This was the best first date ever.”
“I’m glad,” he murmurs.
We’re laying on our backs, the sky clear and dark as stars cover the sky.
“I wanted to take things slow. Hang out more as friends first, you know.” He turns his head to look at me. “I don’t see you as a friend. Just friendship isn’t something I want with you. I want more, if you’d allow it.”
“I want more too,” I smile. “But I appreciate the slow thing. Not with sex, because I’m down to do more of that whenever you are.”
He bursts out laughing, “Same for me.”
“But the dating thing. This is all new for me, and I’m still figuring out how to navigate it all.”
“I know.” He tangles his fingers with mine. “We take this at your speed, okay?”
“Okay,” I nod. “Atlas?”
“Yeah?” he asks.
“We’re just dating. You’re not my boyfriend or anything.”
“I know,” he smiles.
“So, if life happens, I won’t hold it against you okay?”
“Okay.”
Turning my attention back to the sky, I smile up at it, excited to see what comes of this. I hope everything ends up working out, because I’d hate to lose Atlas if it doesn’t.
But life isn’t all rainbows and sunshine. I’m not putting all my eggs in one basket. It’s not reality. Things happen that we can’t control, or change.
I want to take things slow, see where this could lead. If we’re meant to be together, then it will happen. If not, then… I’ll deal with that when it comes.