Memories? Looking around the room, I can’t help thinking this has to be a fantasy, or I’m still sick and hallucinating the whole thing. The ringing of a phone cuts through the air, and Atlas shrugs, returning to his current task. “Not mine.”
Pulling my phone out, Matt’s details flash across the screen.Shit.Walking back to the kitchen, I answer and try to talk quietly. “Hey, Matt. What’s up?”
“Hey! Just checking in on you. I haven’t heard from you since Saturday. You and Noah good?” he asks. He really is a nice guy, though not as nice as Atlas.What the hell? Where did that thought come from? Atlas is far from nice, right?
“Um, yeah.” I clear my sore throat. “I caught whatever he had, but I’m good. I should be okay tomorrow. Noah’s at school.”
“Do you need anything?” he offers. “I can always dropNoah off if you want.”
“Um, I might?—”
“Cora, baby, where do you want me to put these?” Atlas asks in a louder-than-necessary voice. I turn and find him in the doorway holding two books.Seriously?
“On the shelf.” I give him a ‘what the hell’ look. Turning my back, I realize Matt’s gone quiet. I glance at my phone to make sure our call is still connected. It is. “Matt, are you there?”
There’s a pause, and then, “Yeah, still here. You sound busy, but text me if you need anything.”
Nodding, even though he can’t see me, I reply, “Okay, thanks.” I stare at the phone as it disconnects in my hand.
Whirling around, I level Atlas with a glare.
“What the hell was that?”
The picture of innocence, he stares at me with a smile. “What are you talking about? I was only asking where to put these.” He waves the books in his hand around.
“I’m talking about interrupting my conversation. It was Matt.”
“Oh, I know.” He turns and walks back to the living room.
Stunned by his nonchalant admission, my brain struggles to form a single thought. My stupid stomach is doing flips as I stare at his retreating form. Getting over my momentary stupor, I follow after him.
“I knew who you were talking to the moment you walked away,” he admits as he puts the books on the shelves, where there is plenty of space.
“Then why did you do that?” I cross my arms over my chest. His hoodie is huge on me, so it probably looks ridiculous, but I don’t care. He frustrates me. “Do you think that because you kissed me, that somehow you have a claim on me?”
Turning his full attention toward me, he simply shakes his head. “I don’t think that.”
“Good.”
“I know that.”
“What?”
“Iknowthat I have a claim on you.” He walks toward me. For every step he takes, I take one back until my back hits the wall. His arms bracket either side of my head, and I inhale sharply when he leans down. “When I kissed you here.” He kisses my lips. “Here.” He kisses my neck. “And here.” He pulls his hoodie to the side and kisses my shoulder, nipping it with his teeth. “That was me staking my claim.”
Ignoring the ripples of heat skirting across my skin, I shake my head. I silently deny him, causing him to let out a laugh.
“When you moaned my name and wrapped your pretty little legs around me.” He lifts me off the ground, my traitorous legs automatically wrapping around his waist. “That meant that you are well and truly mine, Firefly.” He presses into me, and my entire body heats, aching to be closer to him. “You whispered my name, baby. Even in your sleep, you know who you belong to.”
Smothering the groan threatening to escape, I focus on his face. He presses his forehead against mine and takes a deep breath. I fight the urge to lean in and kiss him, but just barely. “You’ll get sick.”
“Don’t care. Get ready, Firefly. You and me, we’re happening.” Pulling his head back from mine, he kisses my forehead and sets me down gently. “I’ll pick up Noah. Finish your soup, and I’ll clean it up when I get back,” he orders like he didn’t just flip my world on its axis.
Grabbing his keys and walking toward the door, he looks back at me. “Oh, and Cora?” My eyes meet his. “I was never good at sharing as a kid. Not much has changed as an adult either, actually.” He pauses. “It’s probably gotten worse. Just something to think about.” With that, he opens the door and walks out cool as can be, oblivious to the puddle I’ve become.
I’m so fucked.
Chapter Twenty-Five
