I Swear I Still Hate Him (Atlas Lawson) novel Chapter 198

Chapter 198

Emery’s POV

After dinner, it was time to head to our rooms, and just like I guessed, Atlas was way the fuck on the other side of the house while mine was right next to the study room-Daisy’s study room, of course. I wasn’t even surprised anymore. I’d bet my left kidney she was the one who made sure of that little arrangement.

I paced barefoot across the plush carpet in my room, fresh out of the shower, water still dripping down my back as I tried to cool the heat boiling under my skin. I wanted to forgive her. I really did. But the fact that she’d pulled that shady shit with the video and still hadn’t shown a single ounce of remorse? It sat heavy in my chest like a rock.

If she hadn’t sent that video, I wouldn’t have walked into that meet feeling everyone’s judgmental eyes crawling all over me. I wouldn’t have been so distracted, wouldn’t have driven like an idiot, and maybe… maybe I still wouldn’t have lost my leg.

I stopped pacing, dragged in a deep breath, and let it out slow.

No. I couldn’t do that.

I couldn’t put the whole damn blame on her. Yeah, she sent the video… but it was my choices that followed. And even after everything…even after losing my leg…I didn’t regret falling for Atlas. Not for a second. If I had the chance to do it all over again, I’d still choose him. Every messy, chaotic, heart-pounding time.

Just then, the soft creak of my door cut through the quiet. My head snapped up. Atlas slipped inside like he was sneaking past enemy lines, closing the door behind him with careful silence.

A huge smile broke across my face before I could stop it, my heart doing a stupid little flip in my chest the second I saw him.

“What are you doing here?” I whispered, voice low like the walls had ears or worse, like Daisy had security cameras pointed straight at my bed. Wouldn’t put it past her.

He didn’t answer with words. He just crossed the room in three long strides, cupped my face with both hands, and kissed me like he’d been starving for it all night.

“Atlas,” I groaned between kisses, my fingers already fisting the front of his shirt.

“Did you really think I was gonna be able to sleep without you in my arms?” he murmured, lips trailing hot down my neck, teeth grazing just enough to make my breath hitch.

“Atlas… you can’t… your mom…” My words dissolved into a shaky moan the second his thumb found my clit through my thin sleep shorts, circling slow and deliberate.

We stumbled backward together, mouths still locked, until the backs of my knees hit the bed and we tumbled down. He landed on top of me, bracing himself on his forearms so he wouldn’t crush me. When he pulled back, that cocky, heart- stopping smile was already spreading across his face as he looked down at me.

“Hey, beautiful.”

I bit my lip, grinning up at him like a total idiot. “Hi, handsome.”

We just stared at each other for a second, both of us smiling like lovesick fools. And yeah… maybe we were. But I loved our little crazy bubble. I wasn’t letting anyone pop it tonight.

I reached up, wrapped my arms around his broad shoulders, and pulled him back down into a deep kiss. My tongue slid against his, drawing out a low, rough moan from his throat that vibrated straight through me.

“Please tell me you have a condom,” he rasped against my mouth, voice already thick with need.

21

O

OR

111

O

>

12:51 Tue, Apr 21 JO

Chapter 198

I laughed softly, pulling back just enough to look at him. “Just a second.”

in yourners

I slipped out from under him and padded over to my bag, hips swaying a little extra because I could feel his eyes burning into me. Thank God I’d packed some, because I knew damn well we weren’t making it a whole week without tearing cach other’s clothes off.

I turned around, holding up the pack with a playful little flourish. “Tah-dah.”

His grin turned wicked, eyes darkening as they raked over me. “I see you came prepared.”

“Yes, sir,” I shot back, voice teasing.

Without breaking eye contact, I peeled my shirt off and let it drop to the floor, standing completely naked in front of him. His jaw tightened, pupils blowing wide as his gaze dragged slowly down my body like he wanted to devour every inch.

I walked back to the bed nice and slow, giving him the show I knew he wanted, then climbed on and helped him out of his clothes, tugging his shirt over his head and shoving his pants down his hips.

“I couldn’t risk us being stupid,” I murmured, pressing open-mouthed kisses along his sharp jaw. “Don’t want little Em and Atlas Jr. showing up unannounced.”

He groaned deep in his chest, the sound raw and filthy, and captured my lips in the hottest kiss yet, tongue demanding, hands gripping my waist hard enough to leave marks.

“Would that be so bad?” he growled against my mouth.

59

I froze for half a second, pulling back just enough to search his eyes. He was looking at me with pure heat, lips swollen, hair messy from my fingers, breathing ragged. Fuck. If I kept staring at him like this, I might actually let him do it.

“No ring = no babies,” I said firmly, even as my voice came out breathy.

His smile widened, slow and dangerous. “Got it.”

Then he was on me again, kissing me like he was trying to ruin me for anyone else. He pulled away only long enough to roll the condom on, and the second he was back between my thighs, everything else’disappeared.

I really fucking hoped Daisy didn’t decide to stay up late working in that study room tonight… because the way Atlas was making me moan and the headboard was starting to knock against the wall? That tiny vein on her forehead was definitely gonna pop.

TLC

21

O WOR