“Yeah, do you sing?”
“Mmhm.”
“You’re going to sing tomorrow?”
“He doesn’t know. It’s a surprise.”
“Awesome, need an audience?” He asked over his shoulder.
“Sure,” I shrugged as he came back with the Gibson acoustic. “Nice, thank you.”
“Can you show me how to play?” He asked shyly.
“Of course! Let’s go outside and get started.”
Three hours later we had moved to the living room and Ares was watching me show him how to place a scale for the third time. “Play a song, you’ve spent all this time showing me stuff.”
“Oh, okay, sure.” Eddie Vedder sings it with a ukulele but I’m not that cool, so yeah.” I laughed and started to play “Longing To Belong”. My fingers plucked and strummed as I sang the tender words.
Clapping behind me as I finished the song made me jump. “Beautiful,” Atlas grinned as he leaned over the couch, kissing me.
“I didn’t hear you come in.”
“Stealth is my job.”
“Ah yes, I keep forgetting that you are part ninja.” Atlas jumped over the couch landing next to me.
“Keep playing.”
“I don’t know...”
“Please?” He batted his overly long black lashes at me. “For me?”
“Gah, fine. What am I playing?” I was defeated by a gorgeous man with big blue eyes.
“The Civil Wars?” Andy asked from the kitchen.
“I know a little, good choice. Ares do you sing?” I knew better than to ask Atlas. As much as I adored him the man could not carry a tune even if it was in a sealed bucket.
“Yeah, let’s do it.” Ares gave me a shy smile.
“20 years?”
“Yeah, I know it.” He nodded.
“Good,” I started playing. Ares was timid but had a decent voice I was able to harmonize with as he gained confidence toward the end of the song.
“Stellar, dude.” I high fived him, smiling.
“Another?” Atlas smiled.
“Safe and Sound?” I suggested.
“I don’t know it.” Ares shrugged.
“Just follow me.” I began to sing, pointing with my head to him to sing with me in certain spots. I strummed the last few chords with Atlas watching me with a radiant smile.
We went around until it became a game of trying to stump me with songs. “Why don’t you do something with music?” Andy asked.
“Actually I’ve been thinking about it. Maybe teach music and voice lessons for free to kids whose parents are deployed. It could be a good distraction, something to look forward to. I want to be a child advocate, maybe my music could help kids open up to me. I don’t know, just some thoughts.” I waved my hand dismissively.
“How long have you been thinking about this?” Atlas looked at me, shocked.
“A few months,” I shrugged, “It was just an idea, I’m not even sure about it.” Atlas took my hand, giving the guitar to Ares. I wasn’t sure why he was so upset. He pulled me onto the deck to the corner away from the windows.
“Atlas, what the hell is your prob--” He cut me off by pressing me against the wall, capturing my mouth. His fingers laced in my hair, holding my face to his. My lips parted allowing his eager tongue to delve into my mouth. His body was heavy against mine, caging me to the back of the house. My teeth grazed against his bottom lip, eliciting a groan from him that made me feel warm all over.
“You...” Atlas panted, leaning his forehead against mine. “You’re going to kill me.” He laughed. “I’m fairly certain I have never wanted anymore more than I do you, right now.” He ran the back of his hand down my face. “Between what you said yesterday and now this... Just when I think you can’t possibly get any more amazing you have to go and prove me wrong.”
Atlas’ thumb brushed against my swollen lower lip. “I think you what you want to do is perfect.” My eyes widened in surprise. “I know you’re proud of me but baby, I am so damn proud of you too. You’ve gone through so much and you keep going. You make me a lucky man just to know you. But to get to experience you as well? Because don’t doubt, you Ellie, you are an experience.”
It was my turn to kiss him. I grabbed the lapels on his jacket pulling him down to me. I couldn’t say anything from fear my voice would break. Slow and sweet his lips melted into mine. My tongue traced the curve of his lower lip, his answering sigh letting me know he wanted more. His hands worked their way up my shirt, brushing against my skin.
All too soon he was pulling away again, leaving me aching. The absence made me want to scream.
“Oh I’m not nearly done with you yet.” Atlas grinned. “I just want to take you inside and let my hands and mouth explore every inch of your body.” His voice was low, dripping with sensuality.
“Then what are you waiting for?” Atlas mouth fell open then the corner pulled up into his mischievous smile. He picked me up, over his shoulder. “Caveman,” I rolled my eyes, “I do know how to walk, you know this right?”
“Ungh! Caveman carries for view.” He grunted, beating his chest with his fist.
Andy and Ares had disappeared allowing Atlas to carry me straight back to his room. He kicked the door shut, throwing the lock. I landed on my back on the bed as Atlas covered me.
“I’m going to go slow, even if it takes all night. If you want me to stop...”
“No, don’t even think that.”
“Yeah, I know.” Atlas didn’t say anything more. He pulled off my socks, hands running under his sweats I had on up to my ankles. “You look better in my clothes than me.” His smile rose halfway before his face fell serious again.
“This isn’t a serious mission, Sergeant, you’re allowed to smile.” I giggled as he pressed kisses along my exposed waistline.
“No Miss. Grant, this is a very serious mission. I must touch you and it is a failure is not an option type mission.” I felt him smile against my skin.
“You’re off to a good start.”
“No talking, let me explore you.” Atlas pulled my shirt over my head tossing it to the floor. “This, I like.” He slid his index finger between my breasts over my black lace bra.
“Glad you approve.”
“No talky,” he lifted me up, unclasping my bra and tossed it unceremoniously to the ground with my shirt. He caught his bottom lip between his teeth with a stare that was nothing short of salacious.
Lips against skin he started at my shoulder, trailing warm, wet kisses against my goosebump covered flesh. His fingertips were on a feather light exploration mission, not missing an inch of my partially exposed body. Between my breasts his lips and tongue left a trail of fire in their wake. I squirmed under the pressure of his hips, my own need rising to epic heights with every touch.
Atlas captured my nipple in his mouth causing me to gasp. His tongue swirled, tugging at the erect bud. Whimpering when he let go, he quickly took the other into his mouth. My hips lifted up from the bed, pressing into his erection.
“Fuck...” he groaned moving down to lay kisses along my stomach. Thumbs catching the waistband of my sweats. “Lift,” he said roughly. I did as he said and he pulled the bottoms off, adding them to the growing pile of clothes on the floor.
“You are--” Atlas trailed off as his tongue came out, wetting his lips. He touched my knees, hands sliding upward as he leaned back down. The tip of his nose brushed down my stomach as his fingers worked the top of my matching lace boyshorts. I silently thanked the universe that I grabbed a matching set.
“Is this okay?” Atlas’ eyes were on me.
“Yes, it’s more than okay.” My voice was laced with desire as Atlas nodded, his face serious.
“Just tell me.”
“Stop telling me that. I want you so much it’s driving me crazy.” I grabbed my hair as Atlas laughed.
“Well lets see what I can do about that.” He grinned with a sparkle in his eye. “Lift.”
Again I lifted
my hips as he removed the last article of clothing, discarding it. “Words fail me, Ellie.” He whistled soft and low.
“Come here,” I wiggled my finger, smiling. Atlas moved over me as I pushed off his jacket and removed his shirts quickly. My hands ran over his shoulders, down his chest admiring my view.
“This is my time to play, you can have your turn next.” He whispered in my ear as he laid down next to me.
“If I must.” I smiled as his hand laid flat on my stomach.
“Do you want me to touch you?”
“Yes.”
“Tell me.”
“I want you to touch me.” As I said the words his fingertips brushed gently across my sex. “Atlas I need you to touch me, I need you.”
Atlas inhaled sharply as his fingers parted my lips and slipped inside. “Damn baby,” Atlas buried his face in my hair, “so wet.” He slid his fingers inside of me as I moaned. I couldn’t form sentences as his finger began to slide in and out of me.
“I want to taste you. Do you want that?” He asked as his thumb rubbed circles over my skin.
“Y-yes.” I nodded as he moved over me again, his head dipping down between my legs. The pressure of his thumb was replaced by his lips. Small kisses turned into his tongue making a quick brush over my clit. I inhaled sharply, nails pressing into his shoulders.
“Yes or no?” Atlas asked and I couldn’t help but released my strained laughter.
“Yes, please, yes.”
“Mmm, as you wish.” Atlas moved his finger inside of me as he began to lick, swirl, and suck on my most sensitive spot. It wasn’t until I felt my body going tense under his mouth. Trying to keep my volume in check, I gripped his shoulder turning my head into the pillow.
“Let go, Ellie.” My body jerked, convulsing as I called out his name. I rode out wave after crashing wave of orgasm until my body fell back against the bed.
Atlas moved up beside me, kissing my lips softly. “That was the sexiest thing I have ever seen.” He smoothed matted curls away from my face.
“That was...
“Yeah.”
“Atlas?”
“Yes?”
“I want to.”
Atlas eyebrows raised as he looked down at me. “You want to what? You have to tell me.”
“I want to have sex with you.”
“Baby we will never just have sex.” Atlas’ lips found the sweet spot behind my ear causing me to shiver. “I will only make love to you. Sex is for people that don’t connect. It’s cliche. I will however, gladly make love to you. Is that what you want?”
“Yes.”
“Here?”
“I don’t care about where it happens as long as it’s with you.”
That was all Atlas needed to hear. His mouth sealed mine, body sliding back over me. I heard his shoes hit the floor, as I smiled against his mouth. He was fumbling with his belt, cursing under his breath. “Here,” I pushed his hands out of the way, quickly undoing both his belt and pants.
“You’re sure?” He asked again as I pushed the off his hips.
“Yes.”
“Good,” he pushed them the rest of the way off with his feet.
“Now stop thinking.” My hand wrapped around the back of his neck, pulling him down to me. He lips automatically found mine with a intense, needing kiss. My fingers ran down his back, sides, feeling him above me. On his hips I slipped the band of his boxer briefs down as he kissed my neck.
“Say yes Ellie.”
“Yes.”
Atlas pulled his clothes the rest of the way off, coming back over top of me. He pulled the blanket up around us as he kneeled between my open legs. Positioning himself at my eager opening, his eyes locked onto my face. He leaned down, lifting me up, wrapping his arms around me. Holding me close he pushed his hips forward, sliding into me. I reveled in the slight pain, the fullness, the feel of him completing me in a whole new way.
He was still, unmoving against me. “I love you,” his voice filled my ears as I wrapped my legs around his waist.
“I know,” I smiled against his cheek, “I love you.”
Atlas held me close and we lost ourselves in one another. No more questions, worry, or doubts. I gave him the piece of me I was convinced I had lost long ago. It turned out that I was just waiting for Atlas to put the pieces back together.
❋❋❋
Atlas was more attentive than usual Saturday. He let me sleep in and I woke up to a single daisy on his pillow. My body was deliciously sore as I rolled out of bed and padded naked to the bathroom. I showered and changed into new black skinny jeans and a long purple sweater Andy insisted Atlas would love. My reflection was glowing back at me.
For once in a long time I was just happy.
The bathroom door opened as I was putting on mascara. Atlas leaned against the bathroom door watching me. His dark gray thermal hugged his broad shoulders and showed off the muscles I remembered tensing around me last night.
“That’s a good color on you.” Atlas finally spoke as I sat the mascara tube back in my makeup bag.
“Thank you, your Mom said you would like it.”
“She’s right.” He pulled me to him, enclosing me in his arms.
“Go ahead and ask.” I laced my finger together behind his back.
“How are you?”
“I am fan-damn-tastic, thank you very much.” I giggled as Atlas let out the breath he was holding, laughing.
“Good.”
“Relieved?”
“Tremendously.”
“You’re silly,” I planted a small kiss on his scruffy chin, “It’s party day.”
“I know.” He gave me a half smile.
“You don’t seem very enthused.”
“I’m much more of a beach and bonfire kind of guy now.”
“Those are great nights.”
“Some of my favorite.”
“So if it gets lame we’ll go to the lake.”
“Promise?” He held out his hand.
“Promise,” hooking my finger with his. “Now feed me, I’m starving.”
“I bet I know why.” Atlas gave me a devilish grin.
“I’m sure that had something to do with it, lover boy.”
“I like that better than cowboy.”
“Seems more fitting now.”
“Yes it does.” Atlas stopped me in the hallway, tipping my head back as he kissed me.
“Get a room!” Ares yelled from the living room.
“Gladly.” Atlas said against my mouth.
“Ma, Atlas is trying to get Ellie pregnant in the hall!” Ares hollered with laughter.
“Well I always wanted grandkids.” She shot back at him.
“Alright now let me convince her to marry me first. Until then we’ll just practice making those babies.” Atlas winked at me. My face was burning with embarrassment. “Aw come on now, we’re embarrassing poor Ginger.” Atlas pulled me into the kitchen where Andy was loading the dishwasher. “I’m going to feed Ellie then head to Michah’s grandfathers place to see if they need help. You guys coming out?”
“You know we’ll be there. Did you ask Felix?” Andy watched us out of her peripheral.
“Yeah he said he’d come, we’ll see.”
“What time should we be there?”
“Six or so, no set time really.”
“Alright then. Ellie that sweater is just lovely.”
“Thank you.” I smiled at her over my cell phone.
“I told her it was definitely her color.” Atlas kissed my head. “Lets go eat.”
After lunch we drove out into the country. It was all hills, trees, dirt, and I loved it. Micah’s grandfathers farm was mostly abandoned. He had passed away years ago and they started using it for parties.
“We built the stage years ago when Jacks thought he was going to be a rockstar.” Atlas laughed as he helped me out of the truck. “We strung the lights our junior year, partied hard that summer.” He smiled faintly at the memories.
“Yeah man, Ellie and I came to see if you needed help.” Atlas hugged Jacks briefly. “Place looks the same.”
“Not much changes. We’re stacking up for a bon fire. Katie, Stella, come meet Quinn’s Ellie.” Jacks called into the barn, two bubbly blond’s emerged, giggling to one another. “Ellie my wife Katie and Micah’s sister, Stella.”
“Nice to meet you.” I shook hands with both girls, curious to Stella’s disappointed face.
“You ladies take care of my girl. We’re going to go lift heavy things and feel all manly.” Atlas said. The others headed back inside as pulled me to the side of the barn.
“Can I help you Mr. Ryker?”
“You can.”
“How is that?”
“Kiss me?”
“You didn’t have to ask.” I put my hands on either side of his face and on my tiptoes pressed my lips to his. He surprised me by dipping me backward as I squealed.
“I love you, baby.” His eyes stared down into mine.
“I know you do. I love you. Now go get all macho so I can swoon over you.” Atlas threw his head back laughing.
“You’re so subtle.” He teased, handing me off to Katie. “Love you, Mrs. Ryker.”
“Yeah, yeah, love you too, Sergeant.” I flushed as Katie bumped my shoulder.
“Mrs. Ryker?”
“Not yet.” I smiled as we walked to the other end of the barn where the girls had been prepping food.
“When?”
“I graduate college in May and then when he gets home from deployment, so after that. We need to be able to make it through him being gone and not be planning a wedding in the process.”
“That makes sense.”
“How long have you and Jacks been married?” I asked cutting the stack of vegetables in front of me.
“Two years,” she had a soft smile, “We got married right out there.” She nodded to the light covered field. “Atlas was the best man. We plan on asking him to be the baby’s godfather.” Katie’s cheeks tinged pink as she rubbed her barely there bump.
“Never know, he may change his mind by then.” Stella said from down the makeshift wooden table.
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