Page 99 of His to Save

For so long, I equated sex with pain and punishment. There was no pleasure, just misery and suffering, self-loathing and regret.

But with Atlas…

With Atlas, not only did my body light up with pleasure, but my heart did, too. He made sure, every single step of the way, that I knew that I was safe and loved and cherished—and completely in control.

It’s a surreal feeling—not being afraid of intimacy. But in a good way… in an I can’t wait to do it again way. Assuming I can convince Atlas. I know he’s worried about me being sore and taking things too fast.

God, I love that man and his heart of gold… he’s so, so good to me.

But now that I’ve had a taste of what it’s really like, with him anyway, I can’t help but want more.

He wants to work on the nursery today, and I’m as excited as I am nervous. Well, maybe nervous isn’t the right word. But with every step we take to prepare for our jellybean’s arrival, my impending motherhood feels even more real.

I guess we need to figure out a name for him, but I’ll let that be a problem for another day.

I’ll update you again soon.

Smitten (and maybe a little sore), Nora

CHAPTER 32

NORA

Iclose my diary and tuck it into the nightstand drawer before flopping back onto the bed.

Atlas told me to rest, but my mind and body seem to be at odds. Maybe a shower to split the difference, and if I can convince Atlas to join me, even better.

Rolling to my side, I huff and push myself into an upright position. It’s wild how simple things, like getting out of bed or squatting down, are getting harder by the day, thanks to my ever-growing belly. But if it means my little man is healthy, then so be it.

With one last lingering look at the bed, I stand and strip out of Atlas’s shirt leaving it on top of the covers for him to find, before heading into the bathroom.

I start the water and then move to the sink to brush my teeth and run a brush through my snarled locks—I’m guessing this is what the termsex hairmeans.

By the time it’s knot-free, steam hangs heavy in the air and the mirror is starting to fog.

Hot showers are still somewhat of a luxury for me, and I’m often torn between flying through it and indulging myself.

Today though, I absolutely plan on taking my time. After all, Atlas can’t join me if I’m already finished.

I step under the spray, letting the scalding water soak me from head to toe.

Once my hair is thoroughly wet, I grab the fancy shampoo Atlas bought me and flip the cap, squirting a dollop into my palm before massaging it into my scalp.

As the soap lathers, my thoughts return to last night, to the way Atlas was singularly focused on me. On my wants and my needs. It sounds cheesy, but it’s almost as if he knows my body as well as I do. Maybe better…

I release a contented sigh as I tip my head back to rinse the suds.

“Nora?” Atlas calls my name as he enters the bedroom, but I don’t reply. I want him to come find me.

He knocks on the bathroom door and I have to bite my lower lip to stay quiet. It’s silly—I want him to join me, but I’m too scared to come right out and ask.

“You good, Pip?”

Maggie and I have been working on me being more assertive—on not being afraid to ask for what I want. And so, I suck in a calming breath and then say, “Actually, I need your help…”

The seconds creep by as I wait for him to open the door, but finally he does. “What do you need?” he asks, his voice deliciously low. I swear, just the sound of it sends a rush of warmth through me.

“You,” I whisper, halfway wondering if he can even hear me over the water. Or maybe it’s the sound of my own heartbeat whooshing in my ears.

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