Atlas (Billionaire Titans)

by Alison Ryan

  “It’s against the law to stay in a suite with a woman who isn’t your wife. Or at least to…” He paused a moment. “You know, have sexual congress with one.” He smirked.

  I laughed, “Oh, I see. Wow that is very archaic. And slightly misogynistic.”

  “Such is the Middle East. Though I find it to have a unique charm. Not that many people agree with me. But yes, it’s not the best place to bring a date.”

  I wondered to myself how many times Atlas had been here before and if he’d ever brought any other “wives” with him. I shook the thought away. Thoughts like that would drive me insane.

  I quickly changed into my long floral dress and as I stepped out of the room Atlas advised me to buckle up.

  The landing was a soft one and Malcom, our pilot, spoke again over the loud speaker, “Welcome to Dubai, folks. Hope you have a lovely visit on the shores of the Arabian Gulf.”

  The Burj Al Arab is one of the most famous pieces of modern architecture in the world, and driving towards it in a Rolls Royce was like something out of a James Bond movie. It rose like a beacon in the desert, a tall silver sail shaped oasis on the water.

  “That’s where we’re staying?” I asked. “I’ve seen it on TV but it’s really something else in person.”

  Atlas was scrolling through his phone and nodded, “Yeah. It’s alright.”

  I rolled my eyes. I guessed when you were a Titan, it took a lot to impress you.

  Check-in could be done from our room so we took a private elevator to our suite on the 28th floor.

  Four members of what I assumed were concierge services greeted us at the door to a suite that was six times the size of my apartment in DC.

  “Welcome to Burj Al Arab,” said one of the gentlemen. “We hope you enjoy your stay Mr. and Mrs. Titan. We are your butler staff and are at your service 24 hours a day. Just let us know of anything you need.”

  Atlas didn’t say much. His cold exterior was back and he waved the man away, “We’re fine for now, we’d just like some privacy. We’ve had a long flight. We’ll let you know if we need anything.”

  The man bowed his head and briskly walked away, the three others trailing him quickly from behind.

  I wandered around the expansive living room of our suite, admiring the mosaic tiles of the flooring and the rich colors of the drapery and upholstered furniture. It was the most beautiful hotel room I’d ever been in.

  “This doesn’t seem like such a terrible place to hide,” I noted, glancing over at Atlas who was still on his phone, frowning at the screen. “What do you think?”

  “I think it’s a little over the top,” he replied. “But I’m glad you like it.”

  I wanted to tell him that as long as he was here, I’d be happy even if it was a Motel 6. But he was off in his own world again, thinking about other things. Our time on the plane had already become a distant memory.

  Twenty-One

  ATLAS

  I was distracted by some texts I’d received from the person I would be meeting with here in Dubai.

  As much as I wanted to enjoy this moment with Piper, I couldn’t. There were still things yet to be handled, along with the assurance that we were hidden away from the searching eyes of Spencer Cameron and his mercenary thugs.

  My father also texted me:

  The security footage at The Four Seasons is conveniently missing about four hours of footage from yesterday afternoon. I’ve let them know we will no longer be using them for our business or personal needs. Still working on finding out more.

  This news didn’t surprise me. I texted back:

  Not a shock. Glad to be out of there before anything more serious could happen. Look forward to meeting up in a couple days. Let me know if anything else comes up.

  Spencer Cameron wasn’t fucking around.

  There was no telling who was connected to him. I had a hunch there were people on my father’s payroll feeding him information, something that made me glad I’d told no one other than Dad where we’d be. No one could be trusted.

  “Atlas.”

  I looked up at the sound of her voice and inhaled a quick breath.

  Piper was completely naked and standing in the doorway that led to the master bathroom of our suite.

  “I just wanted you to know,” she said, coyly. “There’s an enormous tub in here. And I was thinking of running a bath to get the travel stench off me. Care to join me?”

  One hand rested on a curvy hip. My eyes wandered up her tan and muscles calves, up her succulent thighs, to her bare sex. They raked up her flat stomach up to her large breasts, the nipples hard, and finally to her beautiful face, a shy expression marking it. I could tell this wasn’t something Piper was used to doing- initiating.

  “You are a very bad girl, Piper,” I said, placing my phone down and immediately unbuckling my pants. “You can’t do that to me. A man can only handle so much.”

  She shook her head, “I don’t know what you mean, Atlas.”

  I laughed, “Sure you don’t. I hope you’re prepared for what I’m about to give you.”

  I picked her up and she wrapped her arms around my neck, our mouths meeting yet again, her urge evident.

  “I couldn’t help it,” she whispered. “I can’t get enough.”

  I didn’t say it out loud but in my head I thought: Me either, baby. And that’s bad news for both of us.

  Twenty-Two

  PIPER

  Making love to Atlas wasn’t just about the physical pleasure of having his body. I was addicted to giving to him as much as I took, and within those moments, I knew he felt the same. He’d taken me to the bed instead of the tub, something I had no problem with. As he ran his hands up and down my body I moaned at his touch, wanting him to know how completely I desired him above anything else.

  “I need to taste you,” he said. He was naked now, his hard body standing above me, the desert’s setting sun behind him, casting shadows around the room. My breath caught at his perfection. There wasn’t a single flaw on him. Even his scars were beautiful.

  His erection taunted me and I sat up to take him in my mouth, my eyes never leaving his. He groaned, obviously loving the feel of me on him, something that gave me great satisfaction.

  I took him in my mouth as deep as possible, wanting to be completely submissive to any physical want he had. His hand rested behind my head and he balled my long hair into his fist, pushing me up and down on his massive girth.

  “No,” he finally choked out. “Not like this. I need to be inside you. Lay back and open yourself to me.”

  I did as I was told and suddenly he was above me, his gorgeous body supported by his muscular arms. He kissed me long and hard as he entered me and though I had expected him to pound and take, he was slow this time, running his hands down the curves of my torso as he had me.

  “You’re so beautiful,” he said, making me arch my back to meet his rhythm. “I can’t stop wanting to fuck you, Piper. Does it feel good to get fucked so much?”

  “Yes,” I gasped, my climax surprising me with its intensity. “Only by you. My body can only do this for you.”

  “Fucking right,” he said, quickening his pace. “You’re mine. I own you.”

  He pressed his hands into my lower back, angling me so he could penetrate me more deeply. I cried out at the pleasure, he was hitting spots I didn’t even know I had.

  “Atlas!” I called to him. “I’m coming so hard!”

  He was panting now, fucking me with all his strength, growling. “I’m going to come too.”

  He screamed out, all of his need being met by my body.

  I kissed his face as he slowly stopped pumping inside me, his mouth, his sandpaper cheeks, and his eyelids. He wouldn’t stop staring at me, his heartbeat was rapid against mine.

  “I love you,” he whispered.

  I stared at him, my eyes wide. It wasn’t what I’d expected at all and as he said it I could tell he’d even shocked himself. But his face softened and he said it
again.

  “I love you so much,” he whispered, kissing my neck, running his rough hands up the side of my body. “I’d die for you, Piper. Kill for you. And all I want to do is live to make you feel good. And safe.”

  Tears touched my cheeks, “I love you more than anything, Atlas.”

  He smiled, putting his hand on my face, making small circles with his fingers against my cheeks, “How is that possible? We’ve been together barely 3 days.”

  “Close proximity,” I said. “It speeds things up. And who couldn’t love you, Atlas?”

  He stared at me for a long moment, his expression blank, “As long as you do, that’s all that matters.”

  Twenty-Three

  ATLAS

  I’d never told any woman I loved her. I’d never told any person at all that I loved them. But it had come out after the best orgasm of my life. And even then, I’d known without a doubt that I’d meant every word.

  What the fuck was I going to do now?

  She asked me how anyone couldn’t love me. But I could have easily asked her the same thing. She was so fucking beautiful and pure, something no one was worthy of touching or possessing, including myself. I owned the world, I could have anything I wanted, but she was the only thing I’d ever desire and truly need again.

  I’d ordered dinner brought to our room. We showered together, unable to resist touching, we’d christened the massive walk-in shower with our mind blowing sex.

  She wouldn’t stop saying she loved me. It was like she’d been holding back and it made me smile, knowing this sweet girl felt so much for me, even without me deserving it.

  “I love you,” she cried out as she came from my mouth in the shower. It made me want to keep going and never stop.

  “I love you too,” I said, my hands under her ass now, lifting her up to fuck her against the wall.

  When we finally came out of the bathroom, dinner had been set up by our butlers, though they were nowhere to be seen. I wondered if they’d heard us. I didn’t see how they couldn’t, Piper’s screams were the best kind a man wants to hear- loud and satisfied.

  But now they we weren’t in bed, it was somewhat awkward to be doing something as basic as eating a meal in one another’s presence. She was in an oversized cashmere bathrobe the hotel provided while I ate in a pair of workout shorts, shirtless.

  We silently ate, both of us ravenous having not had a decent meal since yesterday.

  “So what happens tomorrow?” she asked.

  I glanced over at her, “I have to meet with someone. But otherwise, there are no plans. We’ll leave for London in a couple days to see Dad.”

  “And then?” she asked. I wasn’t sure what answer she was looking for.

  “Well, by then I’m hoping we have some sort of idea what to do about this Spencer situation,” I said. “It’s part of the reason I have a meeting here.”

  Piper sat back, “Who here would have anything to do with Spencer?”

  I looked at her, unsure of how much I should tell her. The less she knew, the better.

  “Spencer, like me, has a complicated past,” I said. “And it follows us everywhere. I’m hoping I can find out some things to help us in our current situation gain some power against him.”

  “So blackmail material,” she said. Piper Kipton was no dummy.

  “Something like that,” I said. “But it’s nothing for you to worry about. Let me handle it and you worry about staying relaxed.”

  She smiled, “You’re the best anti-anxiety med that exists.”

  She looked so fucking cute all wrapped in her robe, her pretty French pedicured toes peeking out. Her skin was all pink from the sex and the hot shower and it made my heart ache, she was so perfect.

  I thought about what I’d told her earlier. A large part of me wanted to take it back, not because I hadn’t meant it, but because my love for her was only a detriment in this situation. Once she knew who I really was, she’d never want to be near me again.

  But it was impossible to remember the stakes when I was close to her. Ever since she’d walked into Old Ebbitt, she’d owned me. Even more than I owned her.

  Twenty-Four

  PIPER

  Even now, I could feel him holding back from me.

  It was why I craved intimacy with him so much. It’s when the wall came down and his heart broke open for me to see. He held me like he never wanted to let me go and made me feel so incredibly wanted and desired. I was hooked on his gaze, the look he’d give me right after he’d come inside me. I couldn’t get enough of it. I knew I was probably the only on who’d ever seen it.

  I hoped.

  But now that we were finishing up our dinner of couscous and lamb, he was distant again; texting on his phone and looking out at the night sky over the gulf.

  “Are you tired?” I asked. “We could watch a movie.”

  He smiled thinly and shook his head, “Someone is visiting soon. I’ll meet with them in the salon. But order any movie you want, and have the butler bring you dessert.”

  I frowned, “Will you be away long?”

  “Not sure,” he said. “But I’ll just be in the other room. If you need anything, just send for me.”

  Who could be meeting him here in the middle of the evening? I knew it wasn’t my place to ask and if he’d wanted me to know, he’d tell me. All I wanted was a typical evening with him, followed by not so typical sex. Was that too much to ask?

  I felt like an indignant and jealous girlfriend. Not a great look. So I tried to hide my disappointment.

  “Okay,” I said, trying to sound cheery. “I’ll order some popcorn and M&Ms and rent a movie. Hope your meeting goes okay.”

  “I’m sure it will,” he walked over and kissed me on the head. “Save me a spot next to you, okay?”

  “Of course,” I replied pulling him down to kiss me deeper. I wanted him to remember what was waiting for him.

  After an hour of watching a very unfunny buddy-cop comedy, I was bored and missing Atlas. I’d also gorged on way too much candy and salt, making me feel less than stellar. Atlas had been gone way too long for my liking. Who was he meeting up with anyway?

  I decided it wouldn’t hurt to peek in on him. I pulled on a pair of leggings and a t-shirt. I turned the volume down on the television and softly padded through the living room and the foyer to the salon that sat on the other side of the suite.

  The door to it was closed, but not all the way. There was a convenient crack, large enough for me to spy on what was happening inside.

  As soon as I looked in, I immediately wished I hadn’t.

  Atlas stood facing a window and an incredibly statuesque and beautiful woman stood next to him. Her hand was on his back and they were speaking in hushed voices, their heads close together in what appeared to be an intimate exchange. I could hear what they were saying, but barely. I only caught every other word.

  “… You know I’d do anything…” She had a heavy accent, one I couldn’t identify.

  “I just know there’s a connection…” he replied.

  “Maybe if we…” she said, her hand still on his back.

  He shook his head at her response, “No… It has to be more…”

  I had assumed he’d be meeting with a man. Someone in a business suit without the perfect legs and ass that this woman was sporting in a pencil skirt that clung to her supermodel curves.

  I slowly walked away from the salon and back to the cold sheets of my bed, my stomach in knots. Was she his ex-girlfriend? Did he still love her? Was she from here? Maybe Atlas was one of those men that had women in different ports of call all over the world. It would make sense.

  But he’d told me he loved me.

  I hated being jealous. It wasn’t like me, but the thought of him ever wanting anyone but me made me want to throw myself off the pointy top of the Burj Al Arab.

  Ever since I’d been with him I’d barely thought of Spencer Cameron. And I hadn’t been afraid at all once we’d gotten on the plane
to Dubai. But now I was a different kind of afraid.

  I was afraid I was the type of girl that could never be enough for someone like Atlas Titan.

  Twenty-Five

  ATLAS

  The meeting hadn’t gone well.

  I’d crept back into the bedroom a couple hours after leaving Piper, expecting to find her asleep. I longed to feel her body against mine, to have her again and fall asleep with her as close to me as humanly possible.

  But my mind was also on other things. Spencer Cameron was still searching for us. And some of our mutual colleagues were now in on what was happening. And sure enough it was about much more than Piper. In a way she was just a red herring, a pawn in his game to get back at me for what happened years ago.

  And what was worse, he’d hurt her. Just to get to me. He knew my father would call me to protect her. I suspected he’d known what he would do long before he’d first gotten her phone number at their first encounter. The anger in me over that was hard to contain. He’d used the woman I loved to bait me.

  And it was working.

  How he could have predicted I’d react this way, was hard to know. I suspected he hadn’t expected for me to fall for her as I had, he assumed I was just protecting the closest thing any of my brothers and I had to a sister. Not that I’d ever had any sisterly thoughts about Piper Kipton, even when she actually was my stepsister.

  But either way, the game had begun. Spencer Cameron was in this for the highest of stakes. I’d taken something from him long ago and now it was time for him to extract his revenge.

  And he was more than happy to use Piper to do it.

  She needed to know. I couldn’t hide what was happening any longer. Piper needed to know exactly who I was and what we were dealing with. I wasn’t the man she thought I was. I might have been on the right side of a wrong in this case, but there were so many wrongs in my past, I found it hard to believe she could ever see past them.