Page 66 of Atone

On the next spin of the horses, the center is still empty, so I search the crowd of unfamiliar faces.

The horse lifts as I glance back to the central part of the ride, and just as it starts to dip back down, Alex appears again. He’s cloaked in the darkness on the stationary middle platform of the ride. No longer a reflection as his eyes watch me from the shadows.

A trickle of excitement bleeds with fear as a shiver skitters down my spine.

The ride continues to spin, and Alex disappears. This time, when the horse drops, he’s gone again.

We’ve been playing this game longer than I realized. The question is, to what extent? How long has Alex been standing in the shadows watching me?

On another turn, disappointment settles when Alex is still nowhere to be seen. Between him and my heart, they’re both playing tricks on me.

The horse lifts, sending my insides into another stumble, just as hands snake around my waist from behind.

“Interesting outfit choice for riding a horse.” Alex’s deep voice hums in my ear.

It’s the most intoxicating sound I’ve ever heard. Vibrating in the deepest corners of my belly.

His fingers dip ever so slightly inward, tracing the sensitive flesh of my inner thigh. I glance over my shoulder to find him watching my mouth. He focuses so intently as I wet my lips that my heartbeat moves between my legs.

“It’s just a skirt.” I feign innocence. “If someone is that desperate to see my panties, then I guess I did them a favor when I climbed on.”

“So long as they aren’t seeing what’s under them.” Alex’s hand drifts deeper, slowly trailing up my thigh until he’s teasing the fabric that covers where I’m aching.

“And what if they did?” My breath catches as he presses his thumb against me. “You never answered my question earlier when I asked you what we’re doing.” I widen my knees ever so slightly, inviting him in. “What if someone else wants to look? What if they want to touch?”

Alex hums. It’s wicked and dark. Skating a path of goose bumps over my arms as he buries his face at my neck and plants a kiss. With every lift and dip of the horse, he moves with me. Touching me. Kissing me. Nipping at whatpart of me is within reach. The entire time, his hand doesn’t leave where he’s settled between my legs.

The horse dips, and Alex looks down at me with thunder in his eyes. “They won’t get the chance to touch you if they try.”

“Like Oxy didn’t get the chance?” It’s nearly a whisper.

A question I’ve been nervous to ask again after I brought it up at Montgomery. He didn’t react well to it at that time, and he might not react any better tonight. But I need to know the truth.

How far is Alex willing to go for me?

Better yet, how far has he gone already?

“No one,” is all Alex says in response.

Before I can push for more, his hand slips between my legs and he pulls the lace to the side, sinking two fingers knuckle-deep into my core. The horse dips, sinking them deeper, and I lose my breath.

We’re in the shadows, but we’re nowhere near alone as he curls his fingers and reaches places that unbind every thought. Untangle every emotion.

The pole takes my weight as the horse moves up and down, and I ride Alex’s hand. His tongue drags the path of my neck, and he’s one with the ride—the horse. Timing his movements with the waves. Rolling his thumb on my sensitive clit as he buries another finger in my pussy and works me thoroughly.

I short-circuit.

The stars blink out.

The universe bleeds into a mess of darkness.

Alex’s thumb rocks, and when he curls his fingers inside me again, I’m stardust returning light to the night sky.

Burning.

Bursting.

Alex slaps his free hand over my mouth as I start to scream. But there’s no embarrassment when I meet his eyes. He’s proud to make a complete mess of me.