Page 30 of His Atonement

"Good morning, Sammy." I smile, and adjust the apples and beers so I may pet him. "You are looking dapper as ever on this fine day."

He gives me anahroof, jumps up to lick my face, then drops and turns to escort Henrich and I over to the females.

"Oh. My. God!" Allie practically screams as her gaze lands on me. "What in the actual fuck, Zan?"

Cora's eyes snap open and when they meet mine after performing a full body scan, she immediately dissolves into uncontrollable laughter. "Havok!" she cries. "Havok, lovey, look!"

I ignore his comments and cat calls, ignore Andrej's smirk, and zero in on my target as Frankie lifts her head and looks at me over her shoulder.

She's confused for a moment, but only a moment before she scowls at me, giving me the response I was hoping for.

"And good morning to you, my most precious gem." I kiss my hysterical baby sister on the forehead, then lean in a way that puts my denim thong in Frankie's face while I speak to my niece and nephew. "Hello in there. Hello, sweet babies. How are you on this beautiful day?"

"They're fine.” Cora snorts. "What the hell are you wearing?" Her giggles intensify as she shifts upright.

"What?" I look down at my outfit and spin slowly before facing all three females. With an exaggerated sweeping gesture and frown, I ask, "You do not approve of my new look?"

"Oh my god, I'm going to pee my pants!" She snorts again as tears roll down her cheeks.

"Seriously, Zan." Allie cackles. "Where did you even get that insane look?"

My eyes lock on Frankie as she rolls, sits up to reveal breasts more perfect than I could have imagined sliding my dick between, small triangles of fabric covering definitely pierced nipples. "It was agift." I smile at my newest plaything. "A gift left for me by a secret admirer."

Frankie lifts her sunglasses, places them on her head, and for a split second I swear her kaleidoscope eyes shift back and forth in an unnatural way before they fill with mirth. "Nice shirt."

I nod, glance down at it then back up at her. "It does show off more skin than I have revealed in a great while, but I find the cut to be most flattering."

She rolls her eyes—intentionally—then leans back against the chaise, subjecting me to a most stunning view. Frankie holds my gaze as she pulls a joint from behind her ear, lights it and blows the smoke my way.

Dali'sThe Persistence of Memoryon her chest.

Van Gogh'sThe Starry NightandAlmond Blossomson her right arm.

Kahlo'sThe Broken ColumnandThe Wounded Deeron her left.

Picasso'sThe Old GuitaristandGirl with a Mandolinon the top of her right leg.

Magritte'sThe LoversandThe Therapiston the top of her left.

Frankie is a walking art museum and I'll be damned if I don't want to take time to appreciate the work.

Not now though. Maybe never.

Not with our game only starting, not with the way I want to make her lose, make her beg me to stop playing.

Which is why I step dangerously close to her, my jean clad cock a simple foot from her face, and offer her an apple and a beer.

A light red brow arches as she takes a drag off her joint, something I find oddly erotic for some reason, but she doesn't move to accept what I offer.

Which should irritate me but instead, disappoints me immensely, makes me feel as though I have not pleased her in some way, and causes me to want to try again.

"I come bearing gifts; a small snack before breakfast."

Both brows arch as she continues to stare but then... then she reaches out, takes the apple and beer from my hand, to my great and fucked up relief, and when our fingers brush ever so slightly I feel a zap of raw energy shoot up my whole goddamn arm.

Something she clearly felt too, judging by how quickly she pulls her hand away.

"Thanks… " Frankie says skeptically.