Chapter 22
Chapter Twenty-Two
Cora
Getting Noah to bed wasn’t a difficult task.
After verifying he has a fever, Noah took some medicine and went straight to sleep.
Frustration threatens to overwhelm me. It’s the second time in less than a month he’s been sick, and after tonight, it feels like it’s the icing on the mess of a cake that is my life.
Sitting on my bed, I brush my finger across my lips.
They’re no longer swollen from Atlas’ kisses, but the ghost of his presence is still there.
I thought we’d have fun at the game, and then I’d come home and maybe catch up on laundry or do something constructive on my rare childfree night, but nothing turned out how it was supposed to.
Seeing Atlas outside the shop and discovering things about him made me feel like we were making progress. That we could at least be friends or something. It should have been enough to sate any curiosity I have about him, but now that’s blown apart. If anything, now I’m more curious.
He’s jealous. There’s no doubt he’s confused, but I don’t owe him an explanation.
Shaking my head with a laugh, I grab some clothes and head into the bathroom.
Turning the tap on, I fill the tub with hot water and throw in some apple-scented bath beads I got from Mila for Christmas last year.
Grabbing my loose hair, I wind it into a messy bun and test out the temperature until it’s as hot as I want to take it.
Noah passed out as soon as he got to bed, and I have a while before retaking his temperature, so I’m going to relax.
Crawling into the tub, I wince at how hot the water is at first. Maybe I overdid it with the heat.
Letting the apple-scented water sluice over me, I grab a small pillow from the bin by the tub and put it behind my head.
Closing my eyes, I sink further down and take a deep breath, trying to ignore the questions racing through my mind.
Why is Noah sick this time? Is he contagious? What happened with my car?
Note to self: text Mila or Mara for a ride to get it.
What is up with Matt and me now? Do I just quit at the shop? How do I face Atlas when I know what it’s like to be held by him?
That last question makes me sit up straighter. I love my job at the library, but there’s something special about being at the shop. The guys have all made me feel like family, and then there’s Atlas.
I don’t know what it is, but it felt right to be in his arms, like I was meant to be there. Not that I have much to compare it to, but I don’t think I’ve ever been kissed like that. It was as if he was trying to steal the air from my lungs.
Sighing, I close my eyes and focus on the way he looked when he had my body pinned against the wall, with my legs wrapped around his waist while his hips held me there.
I thought that sort of thing only happened in the books I read.
I felt his touch everywhere, and hearing him moan did something to me.
I wonder what would have happened if Matt hadn’t come in. Would he have taken it further, and would I have even let him?
Thinking about the what-ifs causes a tug in my stomach. His kisses alone made me wet, but then he had to go and talk too. “You feel so fucking good…you taste even better…” And the way he groaned. I haven’t ever felt that good or turned on before.
Raising my hand from the water, I trail a path from my neck down my stomach.
If I close my eyes, I can still feel his lips on my skin, his teeth nipping at it, then soothing it with his tongue.
Sliding my hand further, I run it over my breasts.
My nipples are already stiff peaks, so I give one a light squeeze, moaning low.
Imagining what would have happened if we hadn’t been interrupted, I trail my hand down my body.
Making circles around my clit, I slide a finger inside my pussy. It’s been so long since I’ve been intimate with anyone that the intrusion is a shock. Arching into my hand, I continue rubbing circles, but speed it up.
Picturing Atlas’ hand instead of mine, his voice in my head is rough.
“You like when I touch you, don’t you, baby?” I shake my head, refusing to give in. Tsking at me, he moves his other hand to my breast and pinches my nipple through my shirt. “Admit what I do to you. I’ll make you feel so good.”
Moaning, I try to move closer to him. I need more.
“Greedy girl. Tell me, Cora. Tell me what I want to hear.”
I’m getting closer to exploding, and I need him.
“I like it when you touch me.” I breathe out shakily. “Please,” I beg.
“You’re so pretty when you beg for me.” He smirks. Setting me down, he hooks his fingers inside the waistband of my pants and lowers them, kneeling beneath me on the floor. I feel his hot breath before his touch, and it has me arching against the wall.
“Is this all for me?” he asks, gliding his fingers through my pussy, rubbing circles on my clit. My knees threaten to buckle, but his hold on me is tight.
Not trusting myself to speak, I simply nod. His touch feels so good. It’s like Atlas made a map of my body and only he knows how to follow it. I shudder as his tongue swipes against me, and don’t bother holding the moan that comes out of me.
He takes his time, slowly exploring every inch of me. I nearly come undone when he puts a finger into my pussy, causing a whine to escape.
“That’s right, baby. Let it out. I want to hear what I do to you.
” Threading my hands through his hair, I tug on his soft locks.
Atlas’ dark eyes flash to mine, and I shudder as he inserts a second finger, hooking it inside me.
His thumb and tongue are doubling down on my clit, and I know I won’t last long.
“I’m so close. Please, Atlas.”
My begging finally pays off when he latches onto my clit and sucks it hard into his mouth.
I cry out as my orgasm crashes over me and tighten my hold on his head.
“That’s right; come for me, Cora. Come all over my face, baby,” Atlas croons to me in my fantasy as he brings me back down to earth.
He places a tender kiss on top of my thighs and rises to his full height. “You did so good, baby.”
My body hums in pleasure as I come back to reality in my bathroom.
Trying to catch my breath, I think of the last time I had an orgasm that hard but come up blank.
If fantasy Atlas can do that, it makes me shudder to think what real Atlas could do.
Climbing out of the now cool bathwater, a pang of sadness hits me.
Pulling my robe on and heading in search of the thermometer, I think of all the ways it wouldn’t work.
I have Noah to take care of, and I’m just waiting for Bea to reappear.
No one will want to be saddled with all of my responsibilities.
It’s better if it stays as a one-time slip and we don’t cross that bridge.
It felt so good to be held in his arms, but it’s not something that will last. Nothing good ever does.
After waking up three times during the night to check on Noah, I’m exhausted by morning.
He’s had a fever most of it, but it looks like it might finally be breaking.
Wandering into the kitchen, I fill the kettle and boil water for my tea.
I’ll make a cup for Noah too. He’s been complaining of a sore throat this morning, and I’m hoping it’s not the flu or something worse.
He has just recovered from a stomach bug.
Heading to the living room to find my phone, I glance out the front window and notice my car sitting in the driveway. Looking at the clock on the wall, I see it’s only a little after nine. Grabbing my phone, I see a flood of new text messages.
Atlas:
Your car is back. The keys are under your front mat. Text me.
Did you get any sleep? How’s Noah?
Do you need anything?
I’m still thinking of how you felt against me last night.
See you soon, Cora.
Putting my phone down, I walk to the front door to quickly grab my keys. When I open it, I’m shocked to find a bag sitting on top of the mat. Looking inside, there are various flavored sports drinks, over-the-counter medicines for kids, and a coloring book. What the hell?
Locking the door behind me, I toss my keys on the table, along with the bag, and pick up my phone.
Me:
Did you stop by this morning?
Mila:
You’re joking, right? It’s my day off. You’re lucky I’m awake.
Me:
Did Mara?
Mila:
Now I know you’re joking.
Sighing, I flick to the next person on my list. The one I was hoping to leave on read.
Me:
Was this you? *Attached picture*
Atlas:
Weird way to say good morning.
Me:
Good morning. Was this you?
Atlas:
I was already out. You should be set for anything.
Me:
You didn’t need to do this.
Atlas:
And?
Me:
…Thank you.
Atlas:
You’re welcome…
I can’t read too much into it. He knew that Noah was sick last night and was just being helpful by bringing my car back.
That’s it. It doesn’t mean anything. The shriek of the tea kettle coming from the kitchen reminds me that I have things to tend to.
Leaving my phone in the living room so I’m not tempted to text anyone, I head to make the tea for me and Noah.
Hopefully, something in there works for him.