Page 98 of Fool Me

It’s like he can read my mind.

CHAPTER

THIRTY-THREE

ATLAS

She isn’t just under my skin, she’s in my marrow, right down to my DNA. With her, I’m not the same person I was when I moved here. She’s opened me up to what’s possible in a way I didn’t think I was capable of. Last night cemented that.

I’m falling for my brother’s ex.

And not softly, like a feather; hard and unstoppable, like a rockslide.

The cost of being with her when this was fake and we had an exit strategy was low. But now, that cost is higher. Is the permanent rift being with her will cause my family worth it? Avoiding my parents now will cause more damage than when I was in another state.

Who the hell am I kidding? There’s no question—I’m already in too deep with Harlowe, and I know if it came down to it, I’d pick her every damn time. That is just something my parents will have to deal with. My brother, on the other hand, can go fuck all the way off.

But it isn’t just about me. My parents will be forced to choose, because I’m never going to put Harlowe in the position where being with me means proximity to my brother. Deciding how tonavigate that with her and my parents is already weighing on me.

If luck is on our side, she’ll get the job and Canyon will leave, tail tucked between his legs. If he doesn’t, we’ll figure it out together.

It feels too soon to tell her all of this when she’s sleeping, looking completely content and at peace in my arms after our first night together.

It’s a state she’s rarely in, with her potential promotion and the general stress of her job. Since I met her, she’s always had something on her plate to worry about. Vivi and the baby, work, Canyon, her dad, Morgan and everything that came after. I hope I get to see her like this more now that things are settling, and not just when she’s asleep or high off a fresh orgasm.

My family drama can wait until being new isn’t so fresh. Or until she hears about the job and we know what’s happening with my brother.

“If you’re going to think so early in the morning, do it quieter,” she murmurs, snuggling deeper into my chest.

“Are you trying to burrow inside of me, woman?” I tease.

“That sounds warm and cozy.” She kisses my shoulder, her eyes still closed. “But no, just need more sleep.”

“Did I wear you out last night?”

She laughs and the husky timbre wraps around my heart. “Never.”

“Maybe next time, instead of waking you up with my loud thoughts, I’ll fuck you awake.”

Her hips shift, and her leg snakes around me.

“You like that, don’t you?”

“You know I do.” It’s not the first time the topic has come up. She alluded to it back in California. Her words have been playing on repeat in my head since she said them.

“You can touch me anytime you want.”

“I’ll give you anything you want, but only if you let me keep you safe.”

She’s wide awake now, suddenly not so interested in sleep.

“When was the last time you were tested?”

“Why?” she croaks.

“Because if you’re mine to have any time, I think condoms are going to get in the way.”

“Six months ago, and I haven’t been with anyone else since. You?”

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