Chapter 22 #2
Archer squinted at me, then looked at the other guys, shaking his head as if he didn’t have a clue what I’d said.
Vaughn, Ethan, and Nico were laughing too hard at our antics to be of any help.
With a growl, I took the boom box from Atticus and marched toward the river.
That got Archer’s attention because he turned off the music completely.
I returned to Atticus and set the radio on the ground by his feet.
Cupping his face, I pressed our lips together for a quick kiss before meeting his eyes.
I poured every ounce of emotion I felt into this one glance.
I needed him to see not only the regret I felt for the way I behaved, but the hope Atticus instilled in my heart and the adoration I felt for him.
“Please forgive me,” I whispered as I wrapped my arms around him and pressed my forehead to his.
“I was scared and stupid and…” Words failed me.
“So damn wrong. You are everything I want, everything I need. And damn, it’s terrifying.
But the idea of not having you in my life is far scarier.
I’d reached the realization and was about to come find you just before you John Cusack-ed me. ”
“Well,” Atticus sighed. “It’s a good thing you came around to my way of thinking because I wasn’t giving up on us without a fight.” He kissed me hard, lingering for a long time before pulling back. “We have some things to work out.”
“We do,” I agreed. “It won’t be easy. I’m a lot of work.”
“Easy is lame, and I’m not afraid to get dirty.” Atticus looked over at our audience and chuckled. “Maybe we can continue this conversation someplace more private?”
“If not for your injured ribs, I’d throw you over my shoulder and carry you up the fire escape,” I said.
“Not in this lifetime.”
“We’ll do this the normal way, then.” I laced my fingers with his and led Atticus toward the building, leaving the guys to deal with the boom box.
I figured it would end up in the communal room for get-togethers and barbecues.
Once inside the building, I backed into the elevator, tugging Atticus in with me.
I captured his mouth in a hot, greedy kiss, noting that he still smelled of acrid smoke.
My pulse raced, and my brain tried to conjure up all the horrible things that could’ve happened to him, but I held Atticus tighter instead of pushing him away.
The elevator stopped on the third floor, and the door opened with a chime.
I didn’t stop kissing Atticus as we navigated the corridor or when I punched in the code to my apartment.
I barely separated our mouths when I stripped off his clothes before working on mine.
By the time we reached the mezzanine, we were both completely naked.
Atticus stepped toward the bed, but I guided him to the shower instead.
He pulled back then and wrinkled his nose. “Yeah, I smell like smoke and hospital antiseptic.”
“I only smell the smoke,” I said. “I want you to smell like me again.”
Atticus practically purred and wrapped his arms around my waist. “I really want to smell like you too.”
On our way to the bathroom, I glanced down at the loft and noticed the trench coat lying on the floor. “The boom box is easy to figure out, but where the hell did you get that coat?”
“We swung by a thrift store.”
I swatted him on the ass. “Promise me you’ll never change.”
“Okay.”
I took my time washing Atticus from head to toe, shampooing his hair twice because he loved the way it felt, and because I loved making him purr like a kitten. Atticus tried to take the towel from my hand and dry himself, but I wrestled it away from him and rubbed the terry cloth over his skin.
“Are you going to get oversolicitous every time you get scared where I’m concerned?” Atticus asked.
I looked up from my task to see if he was upset, but his half-lidded eyes sparkled with adoration. “Is that going to be a problem?”
He looked down at his crotch, and I followed his gaze to his erection. “Doesn’t seem that way.”
Tossing the towel to the floor, I said, “I don’t want to be an overbearing ass.”
“You won’t be.”
“How do you know?” I asked.
“Because it’s one thing we’re going to work on.” Atticus took my hand and wrapped it around the base of his dick. “But later. The best remedy after a traumatic event is to remind ourselves that we’re safe and alive.” He rose on his toes and kissed me.
I placed my free hand on his hip and guided him toward the bed. “Healthy and horny?”
“Exactly. So fuck me already.”
“Huh-uh,” I said. A fast, hard tumble wasn’t what the moment called for.
“No?” Atticus arched a brow while his mouth formed a cute little pout.
He was so damn adorable and precious, and that is what I wanted him to feel when I put my hands, mouth, and body on his.
I could tell Atticus my intentions, or I could show him what was in my heart.
I lowered my head and kissed him as I guided him onto the bed.
The tension melted from Atticus’s body when I covered his, and he hooked his legs around the back of my thighs to keep me near.
As if I were going anywhere. He’d need time to believe I was in this for the long haul because I’d screwed up.
And I’d likely fuck up again, but I silently vowed that Atticus would never question my commitment.
Kissing a trail down his neck, I felt his pulse hammering beneath my lips.
Atticus tangled his fingers in my hair to guide me lower, but I ignored his urgency to relearn every inch of his beautiful body.
I eventually licked a path to his belly button, nuzzled my nose in his happy trail, and kissed across his pelvis until his erection brushed against my cheek.
“Please suck me,” Atticus begged.
I kissed the tip of his dick but didn’t take him into my mouth. “Not yet.”
“You’re so mean.”
Chuckling at his outrage, I eased lower to kiss the juncture of his thigh and sink my teeth into his tender skin. My nose bumped up against his taut balls as I sucked on his taint.
“Oh god. Suck me.”
I lifted my head and said, “Almost.”
Atticus pressed the head of his cock against my mouth and smeared his precum across my lips. “Now.”
I sucked him down to the root, finally giving Atticus what he wanted, but I drew back slowly, taking the blowjob at the pace I needed.
Gentle fingers tensed and tugged at my hair, but I took my time, loving Atticus slowly and thoroughly until his body quivered with need.
Only then did I let his dick slide free from my mouth.
Atticus whimpered his protest, and I kissed his stomach as I retrieved the lube.
“I’ve got you, baby,” I promised.
He sighed in relief when I slicked my fingers, and I bit back a grin because I knew his frustrations would return. Several minutes of prep later, Atticus slapped his hand against my shoulder.
“How many dicks do you plan to shove in there? I’m open and ready for business.” And in case I didn’t know what he meant, he wrapped a fist around my dick and stroked.
I closed my eyes and moaned as stars exploded behind my eyelids. I thrust into the tight sleeve of his fist, and Atticus released me to thrust the bottle of lube at me.
“Huh-uh,” he said. “Slick up that monster dick and give us what we both want.”
Who was I to refuse or refute him? I made quick work of slicking up my dick because anything longer would’ve ended the party much too quickly.
Poising at his entrance, I locked my gaze on his and pushed past the tight ring of muscles, easing into his snug heat.
I rested my forehead against his while he adjusted to the penetration, and I reined in the urge to rut like an animal.
“Please,” Atticus whimpered.
And I would not make him beg again. Capturing his mouth, I kissed Atticus deeply, my tongue rubbing against his as I worked my dick in and out of him.
Arousal built as my pace quickened. Atticus vibrated under me, and his entrance tightened around my shaft.
He broke our kiss to cry out, pushing his head against the pillow and arching his neck so beautifully.
“Don’t stop.”
“Never.” I powered into Atticus, thrusting deeply as I watched his expression morph from desperation to exquisite pleasure.
Atticus opened his mouth in a silent cry as his hot release splattered between us.
His channel clenched tightly around my dick and triggered my orgasm.
My balls tightened and emptied as I gave in to the urge to rut and fuck and claim him.
Sinking my teeth into his neck, I marked Atticus.
Mine, mine, mine. The word echoed around in my brain, its rhythm matching the wild pounding of my heart, and I loved the way it sounded.
Spent, I collapsed on top of Atticus, though careful not to give him my full weight, and buried my nose against his neck.
Atticus stroked his hands up and down my back, then slid his fingers into my hair. “Yours, yours, yours.”
I hadn’t realized I’d said the word out loud, but I didn’t want to take it back. Lifting my head, I stared into his beautiful eyes. “I am yours if you’ll have me.”
Atticus snorted and dug his feet into my ass, nudging my softening dick a little deeper inside him. “Every fucking chance I get.” His expression sharpened around the edges, though his eyes remained soft. “I’m going to prove that your heart is safe with me.”