Total pages in book: 39
Estimated words: 36216 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 181(@200wpm)___ 145(@250wpm)___ 121(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36216 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 181(@200wpm)___ 145(@250wpm)___ 121(@300wpm)
“Atlas…” Rose’s expression hardened. She was still pale and trembling slightly, but this side of her was throwing me. It was… unexpected. And turning me the fuck on. “Tell me how much longer we have.”
“Ten minutes.”
“Giovanni --”
“No way, Rose.”
Then she did something else I wasn’t expecting. “Are you going to trust Sting and the others to take this place with me inside? Think of everything that could go wrong. Wouldn’t you rather be in place to control the situation?”
There was another silence before Alexi could be heard in the background swearing and possibly destroying many expensive things. “Goddammit, Bella! I swear to God, you’re gonna be the fucking death of me. Atlas, tell Sting to hold. We’ll be there in three hours. You make sure you have a direct fucking line to him and his team, Atlas. Anything starts you can’t control, call them in.”
I gave Rose my best intimidating, pissed-as-hell stare. “I’ll call him now.”
Without further comment, the line really did disconnect this time. I immediately called Sting, never taking my gaze from Rose.
“Stand down, prez. Expect company in the form of the Shadow Demons.”
“Are you fucking kidding me?”
“Nope. They’ll fill you in on the development. Remember that problem I told you I had? They’ll fill you in on her.”
“Her.” It wasn’t a question.
“Yep.”
“Well, trouble always starts with a woman. Why the fuck would this be any different?” After that last disgruntled comment, Sting disconnected, and I put the phone back in its hiding place.
“I swear to God, when this is over, I’m gonna beat your ass, girl.”
Chapter Four
Bellarose
Once business was done, there was nothing to do but wait. “This whole fucking affair has been nothing but waiting.” Atlas muttered his disgruntlement as we exited the bathroom. “It’s after midnight. Since we’re not at the party, we need to act like we’re going to bed.”
I nodded. He turned off the music before moving closer to the bed and beckoning me to him. He whipped his shirt over his head and tossed it to the chair where Bozz had planted the camera, then did the same with my shirt. I was so surprised all I could do was gasp. When I went to cover myself, he shook his head as he stripped off his jeans and tossed them too.
Shivering, I followed suit, though he took my jeans from me to do the tossing. I knew he was trying to cover the camera without trying to look like he was trying to cover the camera, so I didn’t protest.
I stood before him in nothing but my underwear. I was highly conscious of my semi-naked state, but also of his. And, I had to face it, the man looked far better naked than I did. Had the situation not been what it was, Atlas was a man I’d be panting after. Tattoos covered his arms and chest. Muscles played with every movement. A light dusting of hair spread from that wide chest, tapering off to a goodie trail leading beneath his boxer briefs. He was as mouthwatering as he was dangerous.
He winced and shook his head slightly. Yeah. I knew what was next. I might sleep in my panties, but definitely not my bra. Acutely aware of the fact that there could be people watching, I took a breath before unfastening my bra and letting it slide down my arms. With a brief glance at Atlas, I handed the flimsy lace garment to him, and he chucked it like he had the other things.
I wasn’t sure I could keep my composure if he found me lacking. Which was entirely possible. I was a nerd. Not an athlete. Though my dad made sure I didn’t take my studies too seriously and made me get up and move, I hated exercise. I wasn’t fat, but I definitely had extra flesh, which included big boobs, hips, and thighs. Not to mention the little stomach pooch I’d sprouted the last few months.
The deep growl coming from him startled me. One look at the hunger in his eyes, and I knew I was in trouble. Mainly because I was certain that look mirrored the one in my own eyes. I’d had one lover in my life, and the sex had been tepid at best. I knew from the kisses Atlas and I had shared that sex with him would be scalding.
But we weren’t doing that. We’d probably share a few more kisses, and we’d certainly share the same bed, but sex was a line neither of us would cross. I’d probably never see Atlas again after this was over, thank God. Because I was certain I’d never be able to look at him without remembering those kisses. I found myself wanting a few more, no matter how inappropriate. Besides, it kept my mind from going places that would have me backing out of this and calling in my dad and Atlas’s club.