Chapter 11

I didn't stop him. I knew it wasn't right, but I gave in anyway. Theo had done so much for me, and if this was how I had to make it up to him, then why not? I told myself I wasn't cheating on Atlas because what we had was just sex.

I could fuck both and belong to none.

Theo hovered over me, kissing his way down until he tugged my pants off with his teeth. He stared at me for a moment, his eyes dark and mesmerized by what he was seeing. He leaned in to kiss me again before moving to my breasts, sucking and massaging them.

"You’re so fucking gorgeous, Leslie. Everything about you is just perfect. Just the way I want it," he said, his voice ragged.

I moaned as he moved between my legs, his tongue finding my clit. He sucked and licked while inserting his fingers, pumping and sucking at the same time. It felt good. It wasn't as good as how Atlas does it, but it was still good.

He shifted, rubbing his hard rock length against me.

Just as he was about to push in, I stopped him.

"Wear a condom," I told him.

He checked the nightstand drawer, but there was nothing. I hesitated. I suddenly remembered Atlas coming inside me recently and realized I’d forgotten to take my contraceptives. I was currently ovulating.

"I am going to pull out," Theo insisted, sounding like he was losing control. "Fuck, Les. Come on."

I nodded. He settled between my legs and slid in, letting out a groan, but he pulled out almost immediately. He breathed heavily as he cummed on my belly.

"What the fuck, Theo?" I asked, watching him in surprise. He had finished before we even really fucked.

"Oh fuck, I’m sorry... it’s just..." He panted, moving to lie beside me. He was already going soft.

I got up and grabbed a tissue to clean myself off.

"Could you suck me off? It would help," he whispered.

Just then, my phone rang.

I pulled away from Theo and checked the screen. My heart thudded in chest.

"It’s him," I whispered. I answered, trying to keep my voice steady. "Atlas?"

"I’m leaving the office early," Atlas’s voice was deep, commanding, and completely unaware of where I was. "I’m coming home to pick you up. We're going out for dinner. Be ready."

He didn't wait for an answer before hanging up. I scrambled off the bed, grabbing my clothes.

"I have to go," I said, my hands shaking as I pulled on my shirt.

Theo sat up, his face twisted in frustration. He looked at his lap and then back at me. "Are you serious? You're just going to leave me like this?"

"I have to, Theo. Atlas is headed home and I’m supposed to be in bed sick. If he finds out I’m gone, it’s over."

"Fuck him," Theo groaned, gesturing to his unfinished state. "You can’t just walk out right now."

I zipped my pants and looked him dead in the eye. "And whose fault is that? You're the one who couldn't hold it."

He didn't have an answer. I grabbed my bag, giving him one last look. "I’ll make it up to you, Theo. You have my word."

I made it back to the house and rushed into the shower, trying to scrub away the scent of Theo and the hotel room. I was laying out my things when a knock came at the door. Carlos stood there and handed me a gift bag without a word.

Inside was a red dress.

It was stunning. When I slipped it on, it hugged every curve, the hem reached mid-thigh. It looked perfect and elegant as I stared at myself in the mirror.

My pulse raced, Atlas had been like this ever since Elena left—attentive, generous, and possessive. It made me more anxious than the blackmail.

When I finally walked downstairs, Atlas was waiting. He looked breathtaking in his tailored suit.

He didn't speak at first; his eyes just traveled slowly up my legs, over the red fabric, finally meeting my gaze. He looked mesmerized.

"You look... incredible, Leslie," he said in dangerously low voice.

"You don't look too bad yourself," I teased, trying to hide the fact that my heart was hammering against my ribs. "Is this part of the man of stone's new charm offensive?"

He stepped closer, the scent of his cologne surrounding me. "Call it whatever you like. Just don't expect me to keep my hands off you tonight."

The restaurant was the kind of luxury I had only seen in movies. The staff didn't just greet Atlas; they practically bowed. He didn't have to say a word to command the room. He moved with a quiet power that made everyone else seem small. When we reached our table, he pulled out my chair, waiting for me to sit before taking his own.

I couldn't hide my nerves. My hands were trembling slightly as I looked at the menu.

"Calm down, Leslie," Atlas said, his voice smooth. "It's just dinner."

We ordered, and for a while, the conversation was almost normal. He asked questions, actually trying to get to know me. He was calm, but it felt like the quiet before a storm. I found myself enjoying it despite the guilt sitting in the back of my throat.

The mood shifted the moment the waitress arrived to pour our drinks. She was visibly flirting with him, leaning in a little too far, but Atlas didn't even look at her. His eyes stayed locked on mine.

"The dress," he said, his voice dropping into a dangerous territory. "I can’t wait to rip it off you later."

The waitress’s face dropped instantly. She finished pouring and scurried away without another word. I felt a rush of heat and decided to lean into it, flirting back just to see how far he would go.

"Is that so," I teased.

"I don't know if I can keep my control around you anymore," he admitted, his gaze intense.

"If it were up to me, I would fuck you every single day. You have no idea how gorgeous you are."

A slow, dark smirk tugged at his lips as he leaned across the table.

"Take off your pants," he said.

I froze, staring at him. "What? Atlas, we are in public."

"The table is covered, Leslie. No one can see. Do it for me."

I stared at him, my breath hitching. The restaurant was full of people, but Atlas didn't seem to care. He just watched me, waiting.

"Atlas, you can't be serious," I whispered.

"I am very serious," he said. "Do it for me."

I looked around, but the table was covered by a long cloth. No one could see. I reached under my dress and moved as discreetly as I could. I pulled them down my legs and stepped out of them. Instead of hiding them in my bag, I reached across and handed the lace to him under the table.

Atlas took them from my hand. He didn't put them away. He brought them to his face and took a slow, deep breath, smelling me right there in the middle of the restaurant.

I felt a sharp ache between my thighs. I had to press my legs tightly together to try and control the heat spreading through me.

"Good girl," he murmured, tucking them into his pocket.

We tried to continue with dinner, but I couldn't focus on anything. Every time he looked at me, I felt the void of what I’d just given him. He acted like nothing had happened, speaking calmly while I sat there exposed.

"You're very quiet, Leslie," he said, a smirk on his face.

"You know why," I replied, my voice tight.

"I want you to remember this," he said. "I want you to know that even in a room full of people, you belong to me."

When he finally paid the bill and stood up, he came around to pull out my chair. He placed a hand on the small of my back, leaning in close to my ear.

"Let's go home," he whispered. "I'm done waiting."