Page 31 of Killer Confections (Syndicate Killers #1)

My channel flutters and Atlas increases the rhythm with his hand as he speaks, his tone rumbling and desperate. “That’s right, pretty girl. Cum for me. Give it to me, baby.”

I can’t hold back as my orgasm slams into me, making my muscles clench as I throw my head back.

One of my hands finds the back of his head as I hold him to me, pressing his face further into my folds while I writhe.

I can feel my release as it drips onto the bike’s seat, but the dots dancing in my vision paired with the mind-numbing sensation makes me impervious to the mess I’ve made.

Hands rub up and down my bare thighs, massaging the tissues as Atlas waits patiently for me to come down. I barely register the light, feathering kisses he’s placing to my apex until I look down.

“Come on back to me,” he commands gently. “Sit up slowly.”

He helps me until I can find my footing enough to stand. I chuckle at his fretting. “I’m not made of glass.”

He shoots me a withering look. “No, but you’re mine to take care of. What kind of boyfriend would I be if I left you to figure things out after I turn you into a puddle?”

I lift a brow, my lustful haze slowly clearing from my brain. “Boyfriend, huh?”

He shrugs, finding my pants before crouching down and tapping the back of my calf. I lift it, allowing him to dress me as I hold onto his shoulders. “If I called you my fiancé would you run from me?”

I blink down at him. “Excuse me? We aren’t engaged.”

He only hums and I feel like there’s something he isn’t telling me. I squeeze his shoulders, trying to get his attention. “Hey, we aren’t done talking about this—”

“I’m exhausted,” he interrupts before standing and kissing my cheek. “I need you on my chest. Pronto, baby girl.”

I lift a brow. “We aren’t—”

He holds a finger to my lips. “Loxley, if I tell you, you aren’t going to like my answer.”

My brows pinch. “What did you do?”

He holds my gaze for a moment, both of us unmoving in our staring match, before he sighs and turns back to his bike. His hands go out as he motions to the seat. “Look at what you did. You made a fucking mess for me.”

My cheeks heat as I shift from foot to foot. I catch the glistening on the leather seat and look away as I cross my arms. “Well—”

I stop talking as I balk at him. Without a word, Atlas pushes his mask up over his lips, puts his hands on the seat, leans down, and licks it clean.

His tongue flattens against the spot I soaked.

He laps up my juices slowly and sensually, closing his eyes as if it’s the best thing he’s ever tasted.

When he straightens, he uses a thumb to clean his chin before shoving that into his mouth and I swear I’m going to explode again.

My mouth moves like a fish out of water until a slow, deliberate smile spreads on his masked features, causing his eyes to crinkle. He knows exactly what he’s doing and my desire turns to indignation. I point a finger at him, my eyes narrowing. “We aren’t done talking about…”

“About what?” He cocks his head to the side. “You have no idea what I’m up to.”

I grumble, because he’s right. I honestly don’t know what he’s up to during the day when he’s away. He won’t tell me his job or where he goes. For all I know, he’s a spy or something and is planning to use me as a cover story.

It’s growing really old.

I huff as the sleek black bike catches my eye. It really is beautiful. I always took Atlas for a motorcycle guy, but seeing just how well he fits with the vehicle, it has curiosity stirring inside of me.

I tilt my head towards it. “Do you plan to leave that out here all night?”

He looks back at the bike before leaning against it and pulling a pack of cigarettes out of his back pocket.

He only stops when our eyes connect as he pulls one of the long sticks of death out of the red and white packaging.

He crams it back in before shoving it into his pocket with a sigh.

“That was the plan. It’s only a few blocks away from your apartment. ”

I shrug, running a hand over the tank before peering up at him through my lashes with the best innocent look I can muster. “Can I drive it?”

His brows jump. “Do you know how?”

I shake my head, leaning closer to him as I give him a sweet smile. “Not a clue. I figured you could show me…”

I know he’s going to say no. Hell, it’s a long shot, and I know I’m asking for a lot. But when he chuckles before pushing off and offering a hand to help me on, I’m stunned. A giggle leaves me as I toss a leg over and he helps me balance myself before sliding on behind me .

“I’m gonna have to get you a helmet if you plan to backpack, baby,” he mumbles as he kicks the stand in and places his hands over mine on the handlebars.

“Backpack?” I ask, shimmying in the seat.

Damn, this feels powerful.

He hums in my ear, pressing forward until we’re flush against each other. “It’s a term for a passenger rider. You would normally sit behind me and hold on, but for the sake of teaching, I would prefer you in the front.”

Oh, backpack sounds more my style. I don’t think I could hold a bike up if I tried. It’s exhilarating getting to learn, but this was mostly just inquisitiveness.

“I definitely want to be your backpack,” I smile over my shoulder.

“We’ll go look at helmets over the weekend,” he returns before showing me the basics.

As the engine revs to life and my whole body shakes with the powerful vibration, Atlas reassures me I’m doing great as he helps me shift into first gear.

“Eyes on the road. If something goes wrong, push back against me and I’ll stop us. ”

I nod as we start to move and I can’t keep my face-splitting grin contained. Atlas’s hands are only helping me go through the motions, but once we turn onto the main road, I realize he isn’t gripping me as if he’s controlling everything. He’s leaving me room to do things myself.

“I’m doing it!” I celebrate as we roll towards my apartment.

He chuckles, the sound deep and agreeing. “You are. Good job.”

He helps me pull into the parking garage before his feet kick out and he walks us into the spot next to my car. I’m practically thrumming with elation as Atlas helps me slide to my feet and cuts the bike.

“You did good,” he praises before pressing a kiss to my cheek and slinging an arm over my shoulders. He steers us in the direction of the resident entrance .

“Good enough for my own bike soon?” I ask, peeking up at him hopefully. He gives me a testing look and I know I’m pushing my luck.

He opens the door for me, letting me pass into the hallway. “Be glad I’m letting you backpack, baby. It’s taking a lot in me to even let you go that far. Bikes are dangerous and the last thing I want is to be the reason you get hurt…”

I roll my eyes. Who knew having a stalker would result in having an overprotective, stubborn partner who doesn’t let you do anything reckless?

The hallway’s dim lights greet us as we take the passage towards the main lobby.

As we walk, I spare a glance at Atlas and nearly stop.

His eyes look heavy, and the purple smudges under them are far more pronounced than they usually are.

Even his shoulders are curling inward, giving him the look of being exhausted beyond belief. He looks worn down…

“What in the world have you been up to?” I ask quietly as I reach up and thumb the bruised area of skin below his eye.

He relaxes against my hand, hitting the elevator button as we come to stand in front of the metal doors. His eyes close and I worry we won’t have much longer before he’s asleep while standing.

“Too much and not enough,” he mutters before ushering me inside of the elevator and sending us to my floor.

Okay, I can’t really ignore how nothing adds up to me.

He’s gone all day only to meet up with me after work.

We spend a few hours together, talking, sleeping, whatever we can squeeze in before he’s kissing my cheek and telling me he’ll sneak back in before I’m awake.

Whatever he’s up to is exhausting him. He hardly has the time to sleep, but he won’t tell me what he’s doing.

Every question leads to another dead end, and I’m tired of his excuses.

Once I can say who he is, he’ll tell me.

But it’s starting to not cut it anymore.

“Where do you go?” I ask quietly as he punches in the code to my security system .

He hesitates before opening the door and motioning for me to walk ahead. I comply, but my eyes never leave him.

He sighs. “You know the rules—”

“I don’t give a fuck about the rules!” I throw my hands up. “You’re killing yourself! Why aren’t you sleeping?”

He closes us in my apartment before nodding to my bedroom door. “I’m going to get some sleep tonight. Someone else took my shift.”

I close the distance between us, using a hand to pull his attention to me. “Your shift for what? What do you do?”

There’s a beat between us where he just stares at me forlornly. He wants to tell me and that’s what has my chest twisting when he shakes his head. “Let’s get some sleep and I’ll tell you soon, baby. I need you to trust me.”

I know this song and dance with him. He’s still locked up so tightly, but I could make his life ten times easier if he would just let me in. I care deeply for him, and this is killing me as much as it’s killing him.

But I also know better than to push. I want him to tell me naturally. I want our relationship to flow. If I have to be a little more patient, I can do that.

“Okay,” I whisper before taking his hand and intertwining our fingers. I lead him to my room and he seems to release a breath as he strips down except for his mask.

He likes to sleep naked and since he’s started staying the night, so have I. It’s become our ritual before he eventually leaves, but tonight he’s all mine. I’m not accepting any bullshit excuses or quick goodbyes. He’s staying until the sun rises tomorrow and that’s final.

I strip down with him, giggling when he falls face first onto my pillows. He doesn’t move as he lifts an arm and tucks me against his side. I play with his hair, scrubbing my fingers through it until his breathing evens and I’m more than certain he’s dead to the world.

As I lay awake, I know our game is ending. I won’t last much longer without saying his name. I get closer and closer every time we’re together to just blurting it out loud.

And these secrets just piling up aren’t helping. I feel so close yet so far from him…

I make it my resolve to do it the next time we see each other. I’ll give us the morning to enjoy the end of this, but after that, it’s on. I’m going to say his name and he’s going to tell me where the fuck he goes at night.

And I’m not taking no for an answer.