Chapter 41
Chapter Forty-One
Atlas
The morning light cuts through the blinds I never got around to putting curtains over.
Cora lies in bed next to me, and even though we had a late night, I know we have to get up soon.
Cora has the whole day planned out with Noah and though she offered to let me join in on their fun, I want her to enjoy their day together.
There will be plenty of birthdays for us all to be together, but I can tell Cora feels bad about missing out on time with him lately.
Twisting my body, I lean up on my elbow and watch her sleep. Is it creepy? Maybe. Do I care? Not a damn bit. She’s sleeping on her stomach, and the sheet has pooled down around her waist, her tattoo entirely on display.
Seeing the tattoo I created for her, and knowing I’ll be the only one to see it, sends a jolt of arousal through me.
My dick has been hard since I woke up, but seeing her sleeping in my bed and wearing my mark makes me throb.
I wonder if I could tattoo her again while inside her. Maybe a little mark on her forearm.
While fantasizing about the possibilities, I miss her eyes opening. “Do you make it a habit to stare at people when they sleep?” she asks with a squint of her eyes.
“Of course not.”
“Mhmm,” she mumbles into her pillow.
“I only stare at you while you sleep, and it’s not really staring. That’s such a dirty word,” I whisper. “I prefer admiring. Appreciating. Cherishing. Enjoying. Adoring. Take your pick; one of them might fit.”
She smiles and pushes her face back into the pillow. Sliding my hand down her naked body, I grip her hip and pull her closer to me. “Too much space.”
Laughing, she slings one of her legs over my waist and sits on my lap. Fuck, she’s beautiful. Her dark hair falls in waves past her shoulders, while her blue eyes are so light they shimmer in the morning sun. But it’s her expression that steals the breath from my chest.
Cora smiles down at me, with a look of genuine happiness, and knowing that my presence put it there makes me feel like a king. I’ll do anything to keep that look on her face, including being the man she needs every day. Putting her above everything else is not going to be a hardship.
Leaning down, she softly takes my lips in a kiss. “Is this better?” she teases.
“Almost.” I pull her down against my hard cock, and cup her ass. She’s so soft everywhere. I want to freeze this moment, but I know time is not on our side. Grinding her pussy against my dick, I can feel how wet she is already.
“What more do you need?” she asks, pulling back from my lips.
“You.” I grab her waist and flip her back onto her stomach.
As much as I want to see her face when I take her, I don’t want to add to the soreness of her shoulder.
Pulling her up to her knees, I keep one hand on her hip and slide the other one between her legs.
“I bet this pussy would look really pretty with a little piercing,” I muse as I slide a finger into her.
“There’s no way.” She laughs, then lets out a moan when I insert a second finger and curl them.
“Never say never, baby.” I remove my fingers and slam into her. Taking a moment to savor the feel of her, I remind myself to slow down. I don’t want this to be over too soon. “You feel so fucking good. So hot, so wet, so fucking tight.”
Slowly pulling back, I thrust shallowly into her. Reaching around, I grab one of her breasts and roll a nipple between my fingers. “Do you feel what you do to me?” I pick up the pace of my thrusts.
I watch her ass bounce with every thrust of my hips, my balls hitting against her. Fuck me, she feels so good. I know there will never be a time when I won’t want her. Can I convince her to let me move in yet? I’ll give this place up in a heartbeat. I want to wake up like this every day.
“How’s it look?” she asks, tossing a look at me over her shoulder.
Holding her waist in one hand, and moving my other up her spine, I take in how her body moves against mine. When I pull back, she follows, like she can’t bear to lose our connection.
“It looks really fucking good,” I answer honestly, squeezing her ass. I can’t wait to take her there one day. Snaking my hand around, I swirl my finger around her clit, gathering some of the wetness coating us.
Moving my hand back, I trail a path down her ass cheeks into the cleft and circle my finger around her rim. I feel her tense beneath me, but she picks up my thrusts. Her pussy clamps down harder on me, and I see her hand move under her body.
“Oh no you don’t.” I pull her hand away. “Put those in front of you, and don’t you dare touch my pussy. You’ll get what I give you.” I shove her deeper into the mattress.
Cora’s hands stretch out in front of her as I fuck her harder. Watching her grab the sheets in her fist, I think about the next tattoo I’m going to put on her arm. Something that will flex when she grips like that.
My eyes find my artwork from last night. She didn’t take a super close look at it, so she doesn’t know about the little surprise I left in it.
Circling my hand around her clit again, I rub tight, quick circles in time with my thrusts. “Are you going to come for me, Cora? I know you’re close, baby.” I feel her pussy walls fluttering around my dick.
I’m so close, but I have to hold back. Gritting my teeth, I quicken my pace and slam into her. Moving my hand back toward her ass, I press my thumb into her rim and feel her tense.
“Let me in, Firefly. Be my good girl and relax. You’ll love the reward,” I promise. Feeling her body relax under mine, I push my thumb the rest of the way in and groan at the sight in front of me. “Fuck, Cora. You take me so fucking good,” I praise, punctuating each word with a thrust.
“Come on my dick, baby. Be my good girl.” I move my hand and smack her hard on the ass, once, twice, and on the third one, she comes. Her pussy clamps down on my dick as she screams my name, and I groan when I come inside of her. It feels better every fucking time.
Not pulling out, I lean down over her and kiss my way up her back. She arches into my touch, and I bask in the feel of her soft skin trembling beneath me, paying special attention to the tattoo I gave her.
Not only are there two fireflies and flowers but etched into the little twine that ties it together is my name. Smiling against it, I delight in the knowledge that she has no idea, and if I have my way, my name will be on every tattoo she gets. The whole world will know she’s mine.
After getting cleaned up, I head to the kitchen to make my girl breakfast. Cora has a bit of a sweet tooth, so pancakes it is.
As I’m flipping the last few, she comes around the corner dressed in dark jeans and a tan sweater. Her dark locks skim her shoulders, begging to be touched.
“Whatever you’re making smells delicious.”
“Pancakes, baby. I also have some bacon going too. I gotta keep my girl fed and taken care of.”
Standing behind me at the stove, Cora wraps her arms around my waist, pressing her front to my bare back in a hug. She rests her head on my shoulder blade for a moment and squeezes me tightly. “You’re the best, Atlas.”
I wish I could stop time, right here and now. Cora’s arms are wrapped around me, and even though I can’t see her face, I can feel her smile. Turning in her arms, I tilt her chin up to my gaze. An unfamiliar feeling washes over me, and I can’t quite put my finger on what it is.
“I think you’re mistaken, pretty girl. There is no universe where I’m better than you. You are immaculate.” I kiss her softly, then pull back. “Breakfast is about ready, and after we eat, I’ll take you to your car. I know you have stuff with Noah.”
“Thanks. It’ll be fun to spend the day with him.”
“What’s the plan for you guys?” I ask, setting down a stack of fluffy chocolate chip pancakes in front of her.
“These look delicious,” she praises, “but to answer your question, probably a movie and lunch. Maybe take him shopping for a new game or something.”
Sitting next to her at the table, I tug her chair closer. “Sounds perfect, baby. Make sure you take my gift with you.”
Cora freezes mid bite and glances at me. “You got Noah a gift?”
Scoffing, I cut into my own pancake, “Of course I did. It’s not much, but I wanted him to have some better supplies than what he’s been using. Every good artist should have proper tools.”
She quietly searches my face for a moment, then smiles. “You’re truly something else, Atlas Nichols.”
“It better be a good something. Now, finish your breakfast before I spank that pretty little ass, and you miss out on all your fun plans.”
Cora’s eyes widen a bit, but she listens and finishes her breakfast in record time.
Saying goodbye to her for the day is going to suck, but Noah is important to her, and that means I respect her plans.
As I watch her gather her bag, and the gift that I bought, I realize the feeling I have when I’m with her isn’t just love, it’s peace.