Page 111 of Atlas
Soft Place to Fall
Jolene
Atlas released a troubled sigh. “I’m just tired and mad at the system for letting Niklavs out on bail. The thought that something could have happened to you makes me angry.”
Letting my fingers run through the bubbles on the surface of the water, I agreed, “Yeah, me too. But there’s nothing we can do about it tonight, and if I stay a minute longer in this water, I’ll turn into a raisin.”
On cue, Atlas got up from the floor and unfolded a large fluffy towel that he held up for me as I stepped out of the tub. He rubbed me dry like he needed to touch me to make sure I was unharmed.
“It’s funny.”
“What is?” he asked and used an edge of the towel to catch a drop running down my arm.
“All your talk about wanting to hurt me.” I tilted my head. “I’ve never known anyone as romantic and loving as you.”
The surprised look in his eyes made me smile.
“You don’t see yourself that way, do you?”
“No.” Atlas went back to patting me with the towel. “You think I’m romantic?”
“You save me when I’m in trouble, you carry me to bed, and you make sure I have multiple orgasms when we make love. Not to mention that you made me a grilled cheese sandwich and an Epsom salt bath.” I kissed his cheek. “Atlas, you might have a big bad wolf inside you, but your soul is gentle.”
He looked baffled, and then it burst out of him. “Then why would you leave me?”
“I had to go to work. You did too.”
He shook his head. “No, I’m not talking about you leaving for work this morning or yesterday. In the car, you said that you’d move back to California.”
Feeling cold, I pulled the towel closer around me. “I don’t remember saying that.”
“You did! You said that now you could go back to California and that all your friends and family live there.”
“Yes, but I meant to visit. I fled California because of Niklavs, but now that he’s gone, I don’t have to worry about visiting anymore.”
Atlas pushed his glasses into place. “Oh, I see.”
“I’m cold.” I didn’t get a chance to reach for my clothes before Atlas picked me up again.
“What are you doing?”
“You’ll see.” With resolute steps, Atlas carried me into his living room and sat me down on his sofa, handing me a large blanket. And then he picked up a remote control and turned on the large modern gas fireplace that made the room cozy.
I watched him take a white fur that was spread over a leather lounge chair and place it on the floor along with pillows and more blankets.
“That looks like something from a movie.”
He didn’t answer but waved for me to come and join him. Wrapped in the blanket that he’d given me, I walked over and sat down in front of the fireplace. The heat felt soothing, and the dancing flames had a hypnotic effect on me as we sat for a moment and looked at them.
“Talk to me, Atlas,” I said and leaned my head against him.
“What do you want me to say?”
“Everything! I thought I was good at reading people, but it turns out that I suck at it. Velna played me, and maybe I’m misreading you too. I don’t want to guess how you feel about me. I need you to tell me.”
Atlas wet his lips and rolled up the sleeves on his white button-down shirt. “What if it freaks you out?”
His words made me think that I’d made a mistake, but after tonight, I owed it to myself to let every single second of my life count. If he rejected me now and told me that I was merely his lover, I’d pack my bags and leave tonight.
