I should step back. Should let go of his hand. Should tell him to leave.
But I don’t.
I’m scared. Terrified, actually. But there’s something about him—something that pulls me in like gravity. Like standing at the edge of a cliff and wanting to jump just to feel the fall.
He leans down.
I close my eyes.
“Atticus,” he whispers against my lips.
I inhale, feeling his breath tickle my lips.
I look up at him and repeat. “Atticus.”
He stares into my eyes and kisses me. I melt into his lips, loving the softness of them as I wrap my arms around him.
He spins me, pinning my arms above my body against the wall and kisses me again.
I kiss him back, every rational thought leaving my head.
25
Atticus
Iwatch her even as I kiss her. Satisfaction rips through me. Not even a minute alone and she’s fallen in love. I knew she wouldn’t say no. They never do.
I press my body harder against hers, letting her feel every inch of what she’s in for. Her breath comes faster, shallower. Pupils blown wide.
“Wait.” The word’s breathless, uncertain. “Wait.”
I don’t wait. I kiss her deeper, swallowing whatever pathetic protest she was about to make.
She looks up at me, gasping, and I can feel it radiating off her—that desperate attraction. That need to lose herself for just a moment.
She pulls me down to her lips, whispering, “Fuck it.”
Course you will, love.
I spin her round and throw her onto the bed. She screams from the fall, and I’m already pulling the condom from my pocket.
I toss it at her.
She catches it, staring at the wrapper all confused as I undo my belt. It’s cute how she’s pretending to be confused when I know this bitch is soaking her panties thoroughly at just the sight of me. I saw her pressing her thighs together earlier.
“Whoa.” She laughs—nervous little thing. “Zero to a hundred real fast.”
I pause, looking at her properly. “Lexi.” I lick my lips, watching her throat work as she swallows. “You do me a favor, I do you a favor. That’s how this works, innit?”
She’s got that defiant look now as she throws the condom back at me. It bounces off my chest.
“Yeah? And what’s that then?”
I pick up the condom and chuck it back at her. Then I shove my trousers down, let her see what she’s got herself into.
“You want protection?” I stroke myself slowly, watching those pretty eyes go wide at the length of me. “So do I. Now protect me, and I’ll protect you. Simple as that.”
Her throat bobs again. I start pumping, slow and deliberate, making sure she gets a proper look.
