Page 64 of Killer Confections

“Don’t think I’ve forgiven you for smoking in my apartment either,” I add, re-racking my weights.

He gives me a challenging look in the mirror, a silent, ‘And what are you going to do about it?,’ in his gaze.

Before I can give him a piece of my mind, the kid from the front desk moves across the room towards me. “We’re closing.” He mumbles as he passes, heading for the cleaning supplies by the ellipticals.

My eyes dart to Atlas and he rolls his shoulders, looking smug as his sight narrows on me.

Shit.

After all of my teasing, I hadn’t thought about the repercussions. I assumed he would have left a while ago, but I lost track of time. And he was still here.

Waiting.

I grab my sweatshirt, fumbling to get it on as I grab my bag. Gym Bro nearly runs into me, giving me a grunted apology as he shoulders the door and heads out into the night.

Atlas watches him, something sinister playing across his features before he turns to me. “Done playing temptress?”

I swallow. “I don’t know what you’re talking about…”

He lets out a low chuckle, shaking his head as stalks towards me. My whole body coils, the anticipation of his touch making me feel taught and… hot.

He reaches out, his fingers skimming my clothed collarbone and sending a shudder through me before he takes my bag off my shoulder and switches it to his. He places a hand on my lower back and I feel like I could melt into a puddle righthere on the sidewalk.

“Let’s get you home and see how confident you feel in all of that fucking teasing,” he growls low, his breath fanning my ear, and I have to stop my eyes from fluttering.

The smell of smoke and something minty and familiar washes over me.

I glare up at him. “You used my body wash?”

His eyes crease. “Our body wash, baby. I fucking love smelling like you.” He gives me a quick peck on the cheek before guiding me down the sidewalk toward my apartment.

Okay, that’s kinda cute…

Crazy. But cute.

Our walk is quiet as we trek the two blocks to my building. Atlas is almost flush against my side, his heat blanketing me and making my brain stupid from his proximity. Hell, any closer and he would wear my skin. You would think our height difference would make things awkward, but as he walks beside me, our position feels so normal and comfortable it makes a dull ache pang in my chest.

I’ve missed this.

I’ve missed him.

He opens the building’s door for me, allowing me to slip past before he’s back at my side, hitting the elevator’s button.

“So,” I start, rocking back on my heels, “what are we going to do?”

He chuckles, the deep sound shooting straight to my core. “We’re getting some food in you first, then we can discuss your punishment.”

My head whips around, “Punishment? I didn’t—”

“You made me watch you shake that beautiful ass while you were glistening with sweat. I’ve been hard as fuck since you took your sweater off, baby.” He guides me into the elevator before jamming a finger on the button. “I’m getting my fill and you’re gonna be shaking by the time I’m done with you.”

“Doesn’t sound like much of a punishment to me,” Ihuff, looking around the elevator until my gaze settles on him. Glacier eyes stare back at me, something desperate and deprived swirling in them.

He leans in close and my breath hitches. “It almost sounds like you want to be punished. Do you enjoy having my hand prints marking your ass? You like the reminder that I’ve been there?”

Christ on a cracker.

As if coming to life from his words, the muted ache from the bruises returns. I haven’t been able to sit down without a reminder of the last punishment. The two sizable handprints blistering my skin are a light purple, his thick fingers almost perfectly outlined on my pale flesh.