Page 14 of These Wicked Hearts

“Uh-huh?” I watch his throat work with a swallow.

“I’m the softest I’ve ever been.” I blink at him.

“Fine! Dino trivia is for after sex. Got it. That’s my safe word.”

“Perfect. Lead the way.”

I follow Atlas into his bedroom. A California king sits in the middle of his room, which is otherwise barren except for a long dresser and a floor-length mirror on the wall.

“Most of my things are back in New—” He sucks his teeth. “In a new land that I will not mention because we’re not doing personal. My ass, your dick. That’s the deal. Actually, pro tip. I really love my balls played with. So, if they can join the party at some point, I wouldn’t be mad about it.”

“I don’t think I’m ever going to get hard again.”

Atlas licks his thumb then gently rubs a slow circle around his nipple. “What about this? Huh? Huh? This turning you on?”

I bite the inside of my cheek hard. “I’m leaving.”

“Ugh! Why are you no fun!? Fine! I’ll just be boring the rest of the time you’re here.” Something tells me he couldn’t be boring if he tried. “So, like, where we at with testing?”

“I’m negative, but I’m using condoms.”

“Cool cool. I mean, I get tested for my job, so like, I’m alright too, but no worries. I have condoms.”

“You get tested for your job?”

“I didn’t say that.”

“You literally just said that.”

“I don’t think I did.”

“Are you a porn star?”

He snorts. “No.” He thinks a moment. “But I am around a lot of naked men. It’s a lot less sexy than it sounds.” What have I gotten myself into? “Should I just like whip my pants off Bruce Almighty style.”

“Bruce—what?”

“You know, the movie. Where he whips his clothes off in one motion because he’s got powers.” He makes a motion with his arms that I’m assuming is him taking off his clothing. I’m not sure. I have no fucking idea what he’s talking about. He does it a few more times.

“Atlas. Get on the fucking bed.”

“Aye aye, captain.” He basically leaps onto the bed. Well, at least I know the frame is sturdy. I just want to shut my brain off for a few hours.

And this is the perfect distraction.

When was the last time I had sex with someone? Well, someone new, I guess.

“Ah, so nervous.”

I’m not sure how he has a self-conscious thought in his mind. He’s irritating as fuck, but he’s also sexy as hell. If this were a normal night and we were normal people, he’d be the kind of guy I’d ask out.

I guess until he opened his mouth.

I lift my shirt over my head and watch the way those icy eyes drink me in. “Nice tattoo.”

I should be more careful, but there’s no recognition in his eyes. It’s just a tattoo, and all I see is need. “You want to put your mouth on it?” The albino snake coils over my hip, winding through the red and black roses. The tattoo represents my family. Chen as the snake, and the black and red roses for Jesper and Declan. Always at my side.

His eyes track it. “Would you let me?” I nod, unbuttoning my jeans then shoving them down. His gaze drops, drinking in every inch of me as I kick my pants away. He’s still in his sweats and that just won’t do.