"We need to get you another top before Dimitri sees and flips out," she said, wide-eyed.
"Well… the thing is, I'm not going to do that. I've got a sports bra underneath, so it's fine." I shrugged.
Her look said otherwise. And honestly? I wasn't stupid. I knew Atlas would absolutely react—and that was exactly what I wanted.
Without hesitation, I ripped the rest of the shirt off and tossed it aside. Sophie gasped, looking around nervously.
"Calm down and help me," I said with an eye roll.
"You're going to make him lose his mind," she muttered.
"What can I say? It runs in the family," I smirked.
With her help, I managed to get the hang of the spear quickly. After a few tries, I hit my target. That's when a chill crept up my spine—and a low growl followed.
"What the fuck are you wearing?" Atlas's deep voice sent a shiver down me.
Sophie's eyes went wide as she stepped back.
I turned to see him glaring, his eyes dark and flickering as he fought for control.
"My top ripped," I said simply, pointing at the discarded fabric.
"So you decided to train like that?" His voice was rough, his breathing heavy.
"Yes. It's not like I'm naked. I've got a sports bra on." I rolled my eyes.
"You might as well be naked," he muttered.
"Okay, now you're overreacting. Please leave me alone so I can get back to training," I said sweetly.
His growl deepened, and everyone instinctively stepped back. His heated gaze burned over me, stirring an overwhelming mix of desire inside me.
Atlas clearly smelled it too. In an instant, he stripped off his own shirt and draped it over me.
Holy fuck. Having a body like his should be illegal.
Before I could recover, he scooped me over his shoulder.
"Training is cancelled," he announced, striding off with me.
"What do you think you're doing? Put me down! I'm not some doll," I shouted, pounding at his back.
Instead of a reply, he smacked my ass.
"What the fuck?!" I yelped.
"Keep talking, little one, and I'll keep spanking you until your ass is bright red with my handprint," Atlas growled.
That shut me up fast. Still… the idea didn't repulse me as much as I thought it would. Uh oh. Dangerous territory.
My gaze flicked downward—to his ass. Damn. He had a fine ass. Stop it, Anaa.
Atlas carried me past everyone, up the stairs, and into his room. He tossed me onto the bed—not gently, either.
I opened my mouth to yell, but his eyes stopped me. Swirling with desire, darker than ever.
"I nearly lost control out there—and not from anger. You almost broke me after one whiff of your desire." He ran a hand through his hair, and damn, even that was hot.
A tingle spread through me at his words. His frustration faded, replaced with pure determination.
"Now that I've smelled your desire, I want more. This time, I want to taste it," he smirked.
I swallowed hard. Something told me one taste wouldn't be enough for him.
"T... Taste," I managed to whisper.
Atlas's smirk widened. "Yes, taste. Your whole body is calling for me, little one."
I swallowed hard as he came closer. My first instinct was to move further up the bed, away from him. His eyes narrowed briefly, then shifted, and suddenly I felt like prey—while Atlas became the predator. The way he looked at me was as if he wanted to devour me whole.
Before I could react, Atlas grabbed my ankles and pulled me back down the bed, making me squeal. "There's nowhere you can hide from me. I've smelled your desire, and now I'm desperate to taste it," he whispered into my ear.
Holy shit, this man would be the death of me. I could already imagine my tombstone: Death by desire, caused by Atlas.
My thoughts scattered as his lips trailed soft kisses along my jaw, down my neck. Why did his lips feel so damn good on my skin? My eyes fluttered shut, secretly wishing he'd kiss my lips again. But being the tease he was, Atlas kissed everywhere near my lips—never actually on them. Either he didn't realize the torture he was causing, or he knew exactly and was enjoying it.
Well, if he wasn't going to make the first move, then who said I couldn't?
Frustrated, I opened my eyes, grabbed his face, and crashed my lips against his.
He growled, pressing back harder as he positioned himself over me. His lips were heaven—soft and demanding all at once. I pulled him closer, deepening the kiss. If I died right now, I'd at least die kissing the man who made me never want to stop.
Atlas broke the kiss, resting his forehead against mine while we both caught our breaths. "Well, I didn't expect that," he finally said.
"Why? Because girls can't make the first move?" I shot back.
"No," he said softly. "Because I thought you were repulsed by me."
"Why would you think that? I'm definitely not repulsed by you. More like..." I trailed off, my voice faltering under his intense gaze.
"More like what?" he breathed.
"More like fascinated," I confessed as his lips found my neck again.
"You taste so good, little one," he groaned, sending shivers through me. I tried not to moan, but it was impossible. His lips trailed lower, down to my chest, and when his hazel eyes locked onto mine, I forgot how to breathe.
Never in my life had I seen eyes so full of both lust and love directed at me.
"Breathe, little one," he whispered.
Only then did I release the breath I hadn't realized I was holding.
"What are you doing to me, Atlas?" I gasped.
"Nothing compared to what you're doing to me," he murmured against my ear.
Atlas shifted, lifting me into his lap so I straddled him. The heat of his body was intoxicating, and I couldn't get over just how hot he was.
"I just want you to know—you making the first move was incredibly sexy," he said.
"You liked it?" I asked breathlessly.
"I loved it, little one. You proved to yourself—and to me—that you're more confident than you think. There's nothing sexier than a woman confident in herself." He smiled.
"You always know exactly what to say to drive me crazy," I muttered.
Before he could respond, I wrapped my arms around his neck and hugged him. He chuckled, returning the embrace with his arms around my waist.
"Don't think you're getting out of this, little one," he whispered. "I still want my taste."
"Didn't you already have one?" I teased.
"Not enough to quench my hunger. I want a taste of the most intimate part of you," he said, kissing my neck again.
"Dimitri?" a voice suddenly called.
"Ignore it," Atlas muttered, trailing a finger down my cheek.
I shivered.
"Dimitri, I know you're in there!" the voice insisted.
The fog of desire slowly cleared from my brain as recognition hit me. Growling, I jumped off his lap and swung the door open—only to find Savanah standing there. Her eyes flicked over me, taking in my swollen lips, messy hair, and Atlas's shirt hanging loosely on me.
"Yes? Can I help you?" I asked flatly.
"Why are you wearing his shirt?" she spat.
I rolled my eyes. "Why are you still here? Didn't Atlas already tell you that you're not welcome?"
"What do you want?" Atlas asked, appearing behind me.
"Well, I just wanted to ask if—" Savanah's words died off as her gaze lowered.
My eyes narrowed. I turned to see Atlas standing there shirtless, and fury boiled in my chest. This bitch was checking out my mate.
Growling, I shoved Atlas back and slammed the door in her face.
"You have no shame checking out my mate, do you?" I snapped at her.
"He was meant to be my mate," Savanah said bitterly.
"He was meant to be. But he found me, and you're no longer in the picture. This is your last warning—stay away from us. Don't come to this floor again. You're not welcome." My voice was ice.
Not giving her the chance to reply, I turned and went back inside.
Atlas stood there looking confused.
"What?" I demanded. "You can throw me over your shoulder when I'm wearing a sports bra, but I can't get angry when your ex is blatantly checking you out?"
He smirked. "You look hot when you're angry. Jealousy suits you."
"Next time put on a shirt," I muttered, heading for my wardrobe. After pulling on a new top, I decided I needed some space.
"Where are you going?" Atlas asked.
"I don't know—somewhere," I answered curtly.
"Well, I guess the moment's ruined now. I'll have to get my taste another day." He winked.
"Or never at all," I shot back.
He gave me a look full of challenge. "We both know I'll get it soon. What I want, I get."
"We'll see about that." I raised a brow and slipped out before he could stop me.
Luckily, fate was on my side. As I reached the bottom of the stairs, Lexi walked in.
"Hey, Lexi!" I called.
She spun around, grinning. "Anaa! Good to see you! Come help me in the kitchen—unless you're too busy." She glanced behind me at Atlas.
I quickly shook my head. "No, I'm not busy. I'll help you."
As I walked away with Lexi, I caught sight of Atlas watching me with a scowl. The desire burning in his eyes made me wonder—was playing this game with Atlas going to end well for me?