“Then why add this on top of it?”

I searched for a polite answer, but why bother. It didn’t help that my body pulsed for more, more, more. It didn’t help that every time I met his gaze, I imagined falling into the dark depths of the ocean with him, letting him have all control.

“Because I like to fuck.”

The over-confident gleam flickered with shock, sending waves of victory through my veins.

But just as quickly, the shock faded into a more devious smirk than before. I’d thought I was winning, but in reality, I’d handed him a weapon that may defeat me.

His tongue dragged across his lip. His chest rose as if trying to inhale me from the short distance. He looked ready to pounce.

“I love this song,” Carina said.

I latched onto the perfect interruption, not knowing how many more saves I had left.

“Wanna dance?” I asked Carina.

She looked to Ian, who gave a subtle nod before standing.

Time to perform.

I held her stare as she closed the small distance between us, taking in the soft, dark waves caressing her shoulders. I sank into the deep blue waters of her eyes and imagined how soft her full lips would be on mine. I softened my body to match hers, wondering how far she’d go.

Usually, customers couldn’t touch performers, but Carina took my suggestion from the other night and asked Daniel to create a special fantasy for her and Ian. Since I performed with both men and women and knew the couple well, Daniel came to me.

She slid her hands up my arms and around my neck, pulling me in. I lost myself in the soft touch—almost.

Despite my best efforts, Atlas’s attention sat around my neck like a hand, letting me know he was still there. I should’ve tried harder to push him out, but honestly, having him watch me with Carina only made me hotter.

I liked being watched. I liked being watched by him.

Something about his stare—his whole being—pulled at me in a way most didn’t. It was so different and left me unsure anymore if I wanted to pull it close or shove it away. The alarms started again. On the one hand, I liked the way he looked at me. Like he’d fuck me all week but never stick around. On the other hand, something about the way my body couldn’t ignore him had me wondering if maybe I wouldn’t want him to go.

Which was how I knew that truly giving into him, letting him have all control, would be like being cold and walking into fire. It’d feel so good—so warm—but it would burn me in the end.

4. Atlas

Chapter 4

Atlas