A featherlight tick of his jaw is all I see before he reluctantly puts Seraxes' piece to the side and grabs a fresh canvas. With care, he picks up one of his charcoal pencils and flicks his eyes over the easel. With a sure hand, he begins. Strands of dark hair fall over his forehead, but he doesn't stop to finger them back into place. He's completely locked into his work, and I find him absolutely mesmerizing. The way he observes me and then puts what he sees down on paper causes my nipples to harden. The urge to call off the no-touching rule is growing stronger by the minute.
Suddenly his left-hand stills. The corners of his eyes crinkle when he smiles at me.
"Are you finished?" I ask, hoping his answer is yes so I can lose the dress entirely for him to have his way with me.
"No."
I pout. "Then why are you looking at me like that?" I feel my core heating when his line of site dips from my eyes to my lips to my breasts. I want him. Now.
"I don't think I'll ever grow tired of seeing you light up when you think of me."
I peer down and sure enough, my body is glowing. My eyes find his. "Will this be a problem for your sketch?"
Atlas shakes his head. "No." He swallows, his chest heaving with desire. "But it might be a problem for me."
"Is that so?" I ask softly. When he nods, I shimmy the nightgown off completely. "How about now?"
"Fuck," he groans.
"Yes," I pant. "Let's."
"Shaye," there's warning in his tone. "If you want me to finish this – "
"Later." I widen my legs leaving nothing to his imagination. "I need you to use those hands differently."
Without a second's hesitation, Atlas is up and his lips crash into mine. His hands slide up my bare thighs, my waist, until they find my breasts. I can't help the moan that escapes my lips when he touches me. His tongue plunges into my mouth, and I run my fingers across the planes of his chest. But he doesn't stay long. He drops to his knees and pushes my legs apart.
I gasp, throwing my head up to the ceiling. My fingers claw through his hair as his tongue finds its place between my thighs.
I steady myself on the stool as my breathing turns ragged. "Atlas," I whimper.
Pressure builds in my core, and I can't help all the thoughts running through my head. How much I love this man. How much I want this man. How much I need this man. My body begins to glow brighter, despite my best efforts to contain myself.
"Those must be some damn good thoughts," he teases, slipping two fingers inside me, denying any rebuttal from me. "That's a good girl," he praises as I ride his fingers. As I get close to finishing, he retracts his hand.
"Atlas," I groan in frustration.
With swift hands, he grabs my waist and flips me, so I'm draped over the stool. With his shadows, he guides my legs wider and whispers in my ear, "Not yet, love." Then he inserts himself.Stars, he feels so good. He fists my hair and pulls me upward, so his chest is against my back. His teeth graze the tip of my ear while his free hand finds purchase around my neck.
"Atlas," I moan as his shadows dance around my nipples.
We move in perfect rhythm. His strokes slow and sure.
"Shaye," he whispers lowly and I feel his body tense against mine. "Together." He commands and within seconds we come as one.
Once we've had a chance to catch our breath, he takes a step away from me so I can turn to face him.
He kisses my forehead. "Just when I think I can't be more obsessed with you."
I rest my head against his bare chest. "I'm sure I can think of new ways for you to fall in love with me."
He barks out a laugh.
"I love the sound of your laugh," I tip my face up to look at him. "It might be my favorite."
"Is that so?" His brows bounce in playful delight. "And why's that?"
"Because when we first met, I couldn't get you to smile. Now I get to hear you laugh and it makes me feel as if I'm the luckiest girl in the Six Kingdoms."
