Page 12 of These Wicked Hearts

“Yeah. Probably.”

Although he’s insane, he is very hot. Annoying, sure, but there’s that part of me that wants to break him. See him on his knees and begging. The thought of taming this brat is too enticing to ignore. “Your place. Not mine.”

He fist-pumps the air. “Deal!”

I look at him. His body is beautiful, and I can’t wait to see it under me, begging. “What if I told you I want to top?”

He sucks his teeth and nods. “And what if I told you I’d really like that?”

Heat flares in my gut. Oh, this is going to be good. “Okay. Do you at least want my first name?”

“Why?”

“So you know what to scream later?”

He steps in a little, and it’s now that I see how bright his eyes are. A bright electric blue. It’s shocking. I don’t think I’ve ever seen eyes like that. “My name’s Atlas.”

Atlas. “Gage.”

He grins widely, displaying white teeth. “I’m going to go back down to my apartment. Give me some time to get ready. Like an hour. Apartment two-three-one.”

What have I gotten myself into? Not like I’m about to stop it, though.

“See you then, Atlas.”

THREE

Gage

There’s still time to run away.

And even as I have that thought, my hand lifts and raps against his door. I wait a minute, drowning in nerves. I’m not sure why. It’s not like I’m insecure or anything, but I don’t know. There’s this restlessness, since he left the roof, that I haven’t been able to shake. It’s just one night. That’s all I want. One night to be exactly who I want to be. To fuck someone the way I want to fuck them. One night for my body to be mine and not used in someone else’s sick game.

I knock again, startling when the door jolts open.

Holy fucking shit.

Atlas fills in the doorway with no shirt on. The hard lines of his body look like they’re carved from stone. Dark chest hair covers his pecs and trails down his stomach before dipping beneath his waistband. My fingers twitch at my sides, itching to follow it with my fingers.

“It’s a lot, I know.” He rubs a hand over his chest. “It doesn’t stop either,” he leans in and whispers. “It’s everywhere. Like—” His blue eyes widen. “Everywhere. I hope you don’t mind.” His lips press into a hard line while he blinks.

How can someone be so ridiculous, adorable, and obnoxious at the same time?

I press my lips together to prevent the smile threatening to break through. I will not give him the satisfaction. “I think I’m going to go.”

“No, no wait—” He tugs me by the shirt sleeve and drags me in, locking the door. “I’m just nervous. I’d usually drink or something to calm down, but that’s what got me into this mess to begin with.”

“And what kind of mess is that?”

“Classified.” He wags his finger.

Whatever. “We can smoke if you want?”

“Ah, can’t, but thank you.”

I look around. It’s pretty empty in here. Boxes have been stacked together with zero attempt to open them. “You just move in?”

“Yeah, for work. Which I won’t tell you about.”