“Oh, sorry. I’m just…” I waved my hand in front of him. “I wasn’t really expecting that. It’s a good thing you don’t wear those very often, or I think you’d kill all the women in the vicinity.”
He snorted a cough, stepping forward and grabbing my elbow in his hand to pull me closer. “The only woman I want to see me in them is you. Now, are you ready?”
Nodding, I followed along in a daze, not sure how to take this side of Atticus. When we started toward the back entrance, I looked down, realizing he’d linked our hands together. Jean wearing Atticus was smooth. I would need to gird my loins tonight, or I’d be in trouble.
When we stepped outside, I was shocked when I didn’t see the blacked-out SUVs I’d become so accustomed to. Instead, a black, sleek car was parked there. Looking around, I had to assume it was for us, but the lack of guards had me turning my head, seeing where they were hiding.
“What are you doing?”
“Looking for the guards. Where’s the SUV?”
He chuckled, stepping in front of me and placing his hands on my waist. “Tonight, it’s just us. No boss, no guards, no ghost fathers. Just you and me.” He kissed my neck, and I wrapped my arms around his; the feel of his body pressing into mine felt divine.
“For some reason,” I gasped, “I don’t trust that statement is completely honest.” Atticus chuckled into my neck, and the sound was becoming my new favorite addiction. I also was beginning to realize he had an obsession with kissing me there.
“Fair, Bellezza,” he cooed into my ear before nipping it between his teeth. “You won’t see the guards. Everything else, true.” Atticus continued caressing his lips and teeth along my neck, dipping down into the collarbone where my skin was exposed. A throaty moan left me as I ran my fingers through his hair, not caring we were in the middle of an alley.
With a pained groan, Atticus pulled back until our noses touched. “I want you so bad. I just wanted you to know that.” He kissed me but drew back after one swipe of his tongue, leaving me panting as he pulled me toward the car. I didn’t know much about luxury vehicles, but I could tell this one was expensive. He opened the door for me, and I slid into the seat, the leather so soft under me, I practically melted into it. I was still groping the seat a few seconds later when he closed his door.
Atticus smirked but didn’t say anything, starting the car. The engine purred to life, and I could feel the power of it as it rumbled underneath us. As he pulled out, I sank back into the seat, watching him as we drove. It was a unique experience to see him so carefree as he maneuvered around streets and cars.
“See something you like there, Bellezza?”
“It definitely has potential,” I teased. The corner of his mouth lifted, and I wanted to lick it. It seemed all Atticus needed to do was take off his suit and the stick up his ass fell away. When he pulled up to an old theater a few minutes later, my brow creased, not expecting this as a date spot.
“This is where we’re going?”
“Mmhmm.” I saw the corners of his mouth tilt up, but he kept his face neutral, not giving anything away. He climbed out of the car, and I unhooked my seat belt, reaching for the door. I blinked when it opened, and a hand reached down for me.
“Do you have super speed or something?” I laughed, eyeing him as I climbed out.
“Just properly motivated.”
My face heated, and I knew the fight to not give into Atticus was useless. He linked our fingers again and pulled me toward the entrance. Someone opened the door for us, bowing their head at him, and we made our way into the theater. It was an old-fashioned one with maroon and gold designs on the carpet and thick drapes spread throughout. It reminded me of the classic theaters where black and white films were shown. There was a counter to the side and the smell of popcorn hung in the air, but we didn’t stop. Atticus took me around a corner, pulling me up a flight of carpeted stairs with a grand railing. Up top, he turned to the left, leading the way to wherever he was taking me.
Other than the person who’d let us in, there wasn’t a single other person in view. He pulled up to a door, taking out an old-fashioned key; he unlocked it and opened the door for me to enter. Dipping my head in thanks, I stepped through and stopped at what I encountered.
The space was a balcony that overlooked the theater below. And while that was impressive all on its own, it was the elaborate setup that had me frozen in my tracks. It looked like something out of a bohemian photoshoot. Poufs, low couches, and lounges close to the ground were in a circle with an ottoman in the center filled with a spread of plates. A bottle of champagne cooled in an ice bucket to the side, and a cart of desserts waited alongside it. It was casual, and opulence all rolled into one unique setting.
Atticus’ hands landed on my waist, and he moved the hair off my shoulder, placing his lips on the pulse point of my neck. He briefly kissed it, trailing his nose up to my ear.
“Do you approve?”
I had no words, so I nodded, completely speechless.
“I thought we could watch the movie you shamed me for not seeing.” His words surprised me, and I turned with an accusation on my tongue.
“I’ve never shamed you!” My words started off strong, catching themselves toward the end. The heat in his eyes, the closeness of our bodies, and the whole scene had my brain fritzing when I faced him.
He gave me a pointed look, and I bit my lip to hold in the moan that wanted to escape. The growl that left him hit me straight between the legs as he leaned forward, rubbing his thumb over my lip to release it.
“One,” he said, pulling back. I blinked, not knowing what that meant.
Atticus used my stunned nature to pull me over to the low couch and sit us down. He started to fill plates full of food and poured us drinks. I watched in awe as he grabbed a little of everything with such ease it surprised me.
“What kind of food is this?” I finally asked, my words returning.
“It’s Indian. Have you ever had it before?”