"I am willing to be punished when you are ready to do it. I know I deserve whatever’s coming. I realize how much I missed having you in my life. I will submit to you completely."
He had a shocked look on his face, but kept quiet while I continued speaking to him.
"You won't need to lock me up in the house and hide me away. I am coming to you willingly. I love you, Atlas. I have for a long time. I just wasn't ready to admit it to myself. Will you take me back?"
He seemed lost for words. The formidable, domineering, crazy killer was speechless for a minute.
I almost laughed, but this was a profound moment, and I didn't want him to think I was joking.
His voice was gentle, but serious. He arched his brows.
"Do you know what you're asking, pet?"
I gave him my best Sunday smile, batting my lashes.
"Yes, I know what I am asking of you and what I will give up to be by your side."
I was never more positive about anything in my life.
I was surprised that all the drinking the night before didn't make me feel lightheaded and dizzy. Mostly, I felt normal except for the dull ache in my temples. I looked at the large man beside me, and my heart soared.
Once I admitted what I had known all along, I felt free. This was the man I wanted to be with. This was the man I wanted to father my children someday, if he would agree. Perhaps with nothing in the way of our relationship this time, he would change his mind.
He was my lover, protector, and tormentor. Once he released me, my life changed…I had changed. I was no longer the same girl I was before he took me. He awakened a side of me that had been dormant for many years. I just needed someone to dig deep down and release the real me—the one who no longer wanted to hide behind the facade of normal.
I never had what one would call anormal life.Atlas and I just fit together. No other man would come close to him, and I was okay with that.
I felt as though an enormous burden had been lifted from my shoulders now that I was free from all doubt.
What more could I ask for from a partner? He was wealthy enough that I would never want for anything. He was fiercely protective of me, so I never had to worry about guys like Johnny anymore. I know Atlas will always have my back, no matter what.
He was stunning to look at. He was a bad boy, as bad as they came, and he was a skilled lover. The man got me off so many times and in so many ways; it was almost sinful.
What woman in their right mind would reject such a guy? Of course, everyone has bad qualities, too, and he certainly has his. He has a dark side, but he is not some random serial killer. He is an assassin who removes the scum from society. It took me a while to come to grips with the fact that he was a killer, but he didn't take out good people.
I looked at it in a different light than I had before. It was almost the same as being a police officer. Sometimes they had to decide whether someone lived or died, and I damn well knew that the people's lives Atlas ended were not good, law-abiding citizens.
I looked at the man who now owned me and spoke concisely. "I hope you will forgive me for being so stupid, and like I said, I am ready to pay for being so careless. If you don't mind, I would like to shower and try to get rid of the rest of this lingering headache. Once I am done, I will be ready for my punishment."
His face still held the same expression as I dropped the blanket, completely exposing my nakedness to his gaze. I didn't feel embarrassed anymore.
I always felt proud of my body, but now that I relinquished all control to him, I no longer felt shy as I watched him swallow hard while he stared hungrily at my naked form.
The only thing that made me nervous was the punishment. I wasn't sure if he would consider my plea not to use the strap, but I would have to deal with it if my request fell on deaf ears. From now on, this was my life.I was histo do with as he pleased, and this time I was ready for it.
Chapter 45
Atlas
Wow, I wiggled my finger inside my ear to ensure I heard her correctly. Shelovedmeand wanted to staywillingly.My heart was thumping like a galloping horse running for its life. She was giving up all her power tome. I reached out, lifted her chin, and gazed into her eyes.
They looked like emeralds that had turned into pure liquid—just stunning. I had the widest grin and didn't care if I looked like an idiot. I loved this fucking woman, and I wasfinallyready to reveal my feelings to her before she jumped into the shower.
"I am more than happy to keep you, pet. You know that. After being apart for many months, I also realized that I love you. You were initially my obsession, but now I am madly in love with you, too. My heart is in your hands, Kitlyn, and only you can crush it."
The smile on her face lit up the room, and I loved seeing her so happy. "My God!" she breathed excitedly.
"I can't believe it. You saidI love you. I didn't think you cared about me anymore. When you never contacted me, I figured you had moved on with someone else and had forgotten I existed."
