[Avery’s POV]"No more," I pant, too exhausted to go on."You really need to build up your stamina, little minx," Atlas chuckles, pulling out of me and then rolling over so he lays beside me. "Don’t worry, I’ll help you."Feeling myself blush, I don’t speak as I take in the man in front of me. It was still so hard to believe that what started off as a drunken, spur-of-the moment decision escalated to whatever was going on between us now."What?" Atlas smirks, brushing a hand along my cheek. "Am I so handsome you can’t help but stare?""Something like that," I admit, cuddling closer. "But there’s something that is bothering me.""And what is that?" He asks, cocking an eyebrow."What are we?"The question is leaving my lips before I even get the chance to really think about it, and I instantly regret it when Atlas’ expression shifts from light-hearted to somewhat guarded."And what do you think this is?" He asks, fixing his serious gaze on mine."I…" I gasp as he rolls us over, so I’m s

[Avery’s POV]"This is what you meant by distraction?" I ask, taking in the club around me and all the people that grind against one another. "A dance club.""What?" Gregory smirks. "Do you not know how to dance?""It isn’t that," I respond, continuing to let my eyes take in the area. "It’s just that…""Are you going to blow me off?""No," I sigh, deciding it wouldn’t be so bad to unleash some of my anger by dancing. "Fine, let’s go."I don’t wait for an answer before I grab Gregory’s hand and pull him into the flood of bodies while he follows closely behind.Once we’ve made it to the middle, I begin to move my hips while he places his hands on my sides and moves along with me until we become the center of attention.I had to admit that initially I thought it would have been awkward to dance with him, but I was actually beginning to enjoy myself, and I could feel my anger and hurt from earlier beginning to disappear.As the music changes, I whirl around and then press myself against G

[Avery's POV]My mind reels as I busy myself vacuuming the upstairs and then wiping down all the furniture.I hadn't meant to walk in on Atlas and Gregory's conversation. It was pure fucking coincidence that I walked in at that time, and due to that, I knew how Atlas truly felt about me.In a way, I knew it from the very beginning given the difference in our backgrounds, but I had hoped, and it was because of that hope that I was left to be the fool once again.Sighing, I collapse onto the guest room bed and bury my head in my hands as the sting of betrayal rushes through me.I should have expected this, but I believed that asshole Atlas. But I still wanted so desperately to believe that someone out there cared, and it was proven again that they didn't."Get it together," I hiss, lifting my head and examining myself in the mirror that sits on the wall across from me. "This isn't you."Deciding I wasn't going to let all this get me down, I got up and continued with what I was doing bef

[Atlas’ POV]I watch in horror as Avery’s eyes close and then her body goes limp, while Hanson watches on with excitement."You," I hiss, lifting my gaze from Avery.Jumping up, I surge forward, ignoring the pain that shoots through me as Hanson pulls the trigger of his weapon, unloading a bullet straight into my shoulder.Taking advantage of his momentary shock over his attack not taking me down as planned, I attack, reaching out and grabbing his wrist and then twisting until I feel a snap and the gun in his hand drops to the ground.Kicking it aside, I release him and then slam my fist into his face while his men move in an attempt to stop me, but all I can see is red, and I continue to fight until the sound of footsteps rushing forward reaches us.In an instant, the area is full of police taking down Hanson and his men while someone tries to hold me back."Let go," I hiss, keeping my rage-filled gaze on Hanson. "I’m going to fucking kill him!""You’ve done enough."It takes me a mo

[Avery’s POV]I let out a sigh of contentment as Atlas’ fingers ran along my skin, mixing with the bubbles and droplets of water that sat against it.Now that all his secrets were out in the open, I was beginning to let myself get sucked into his passion and dedication while hoping that I wouldn’t get burned again.Since my accident and being kidnapped, he hadn’t let me out of his sight, which included not even allowing me to bathe myself. He insisted that since I was still a patient, I should simply relax and allow him to do all the work, which was fine except that with his bare skin pressed against me and his erect dick resting between my folds, it was hard to relax.Two weeks had passed since I was released from the hospital, and despite feeling like I was well enough to do things, Atlas still refused out of fear of hurting me. And usually that would be considered sweet and courteous, but I was fiending for the feel of him in me and the way his body felt moving against mine and his