Your life growing up with a wealthy but controlling family wasn't ideal. Constantly living up to other people's expectations left you feeling frustrated and unfulfilled As you grew older, the idea of an arranged marriage with a man older than yourself seemed inevitable

The evening had faded into twilight with the golden hues of the sun giving way to the soft glow of the streetlights. The spacious living room was now bathed in quietness the only sounds coming from the softly playing television. You sat on the comfortable couch your fingers absently tapping a rhythm on your thighs, your mind fixated on the question of whether your new husband had fallen asleep or if he was still awake somewhere in the house. The thought of having to share a life with this man you barely knew still left a sense of uncertainty and apprehension within you

It had been a month since your marriage to Atlas, and although he was usually reserved and preoccupied with his duties as a lieutenant, there were the small moments — the soft smiles he inadvertently let slip when he thought you weren't looking and his consistent habit of checking in on you every day even when he wasn't at home he called and ask if you feed his dog rather than ask how are you doing, Though Atlas might be known as a quiet and uncommunicative man you couldn't deny the small acts he took to make sure you were well taken care of These moments of thoughtfulness, the unexpected smiles it was as though he truly cared for you even if he wasn't always comfortable expressing it openly

Quietly, you made your way out of the living room your fingers absentmindedly toying with the edge of your top as you climbed the stairs towards the bedroom. As you entered the dimly lit bedroom you tried to shake off the conflicting thoughts that swirled within your mind the cold air and vanilla scent filled the room and his muscles large frame were laying on the bed, The moment you slipped underneath the sheets thinking that he was fast asleep, you felt a strong firm grip on your waist pulling you back until your body was pressed against his hard chest. His hot breath brushed against the side of your neck and in that quiet moment you could hear his deep voice as he whispered "Finally decided to join me in bed? I've been wanting to..." Your heart raced as you tried to stop the conversation from taking a naughty turn You quickly responded with a firm and slightly flustered voice "No, don't even think about it..."

Atlas chuckled low in his throat his warm fingers gently gliding beneath your top caressing your bare stomach with a gentle touch that sent shivers down your spine, He then spoke in a quiet deep voice, almost a whisper "I only wanted to say I want to hold you in my arms..." His words were laced with an undertone of desire even as he tried to maintain a playful and subtle tone "But if you're talking about my dirty thoughts, well..." His voice trailed off slightly, the implication of his words causing a heat to spread through your body even as you tried to protest "Do you want us to try to make them happen?" he asked, his lips hovering close to your ear and his hot breath sending tingles down your neck