Something Worth Fighting For (12 page)

“Yeah, she’s here.” The book on my chest moved causing me to swat at the annoyance in my sleep. “Hey beautiful,” the edge of the bed sank down as Atlas sat next to me.

“Best dream ever,” I mumbled opening my eyes. “Atlas!” I scrambled up, throwing myself at him. Atlas laughed catching me as he fell backward.

“I missed you too, baby.”

“Please tell me I’m not still asleep.” I grabbed his arms, shoulders, face.

“You’re awake, I promise.” He held out his pinky. I hooked mine to it and kissed him; long, hard, and filled with two weeks worth of worry. “Now I’m the one worried I’m not awake.”

“You most definitely are.”

“Good,” he sighed, holding me close to him.

“Baby... Atlas... I love you, I missed you terribly, I am so excited you’re home but--”

“I know, I know, I smell.”

“God freaking awful. Go take a shower. Hungry?”

“Yes,” Atlas mumbled burying his face in my neck. “God I missed you.” His hands ran up my sides, down over my backside.

“Well go take care of you, I’ll feed you, and you can explore me all you want when we’re done.”

“Mmm, that’s a deal I can’t refuse.” Atlas sat me on my feet. I pulled on a pair of his sweatpants, deciding it wasn’t best to parade in my underwear with Adam home too. I watched from the doorway as he undressed. He was tired, dirty, bruised, and hungry.

Most importantly he was home.

❋❋❋

“I like your shirt.” Atlas grinned as we crawled back in bed together.

“Do you? I thought it seemed appropriate. A little silly, usually what base bunnies wear but, appropriate regardless.” I pulled down the
“Be Safe Sleep With A Marine”
tee Darcy insisted I needed.

“Most definitely,” he pulled me close enough to feel like we were sharing skin. “Have I mentioned I missed you?” Hiding his face in my hair as he breathed in deep.

“Maybe once or twice.”

“Hmm... Well I did.”

“I know. I’m sure Darcy will be ecstatic to not get her daily, I miss Atlas, whiny text tomorrow or I guess today.”

“Were you whining?”

“I was pitiful,” I laughed, kissing his shoulder. “I was a pouting, pitiful mess. I slept here most nights actually.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, anything to feel a little closer.”

“I love you.” He whispered sounding exhausted.

“I know. I love you, get some sleep.” I laid next to Atlas who was already snoring in my ear.

Blissful.

It was close to four in the morning and I had a test at eight thirty. Right now though I was happy, content, and exactly where I belonged.

Before I knew it the alarm was screaming in my ear. I grumbled swatting at it as Atlas laughed. “You have a big test, let me take you for breakfast.” I didn’t see how he could be so rosy posy, sunshine, and rainbows after next to no sleep.

“No you go back to sleep, you need it.”

“I’m good. That’s actually the best sleep I’ve had in two weeks. Come on. Waffles, my treat.” He was kissing all over my face causing my bad mood to quickly disappear.

“Fine, fine. Let me go shower.” I rolled out of bed, stretching my arms above my head.

“Hey Ellie?”

“Yeah?” I called from the bathroom, over the sound of the shower running.

“I love waking up next to you.”

“And I love going to sleep next to you.” I stripped stepping into the warm water. Quickly washing, soaking up the warmth, I watched through the foggy door as Atlas moved around the bathroom.

Turning off the water, Atlas reached over the door handing me a towel. “Thanks,” I wrapped it around myself, stepping out. “Going to base?” I asked as we danced around each other, getting ready.

“Yeah I have a few things to do there before we leave.” Atlas stopped, blocking my path, arms encircling around me. “Damn you’re beautiful.” His pale blue dilated eyes raked over my body hungrily.

“Keep it in your pants Sergeant we have things to do today.” Leaning up on my tiptoes, my lips brushed against his. “I’m going to get dressed.”

I shut the bathroom door and quickly pulled on my jeans, tee, and blazer. Lacing up my boots as Atlas appeared in my line of sight. “Want to take your car or the bike?”

“You take the bike, I’ll drive. I know you missed your other girl.” I picked up my backpack, shoving my scattered materials back inside.

“I’d rather be with you. Can I drive your car?” He grinned like a small boy.

“You have a crush on Max don’t you?” I handed over my keys without question.

“Max?”

“My car, that’s his name.”

“Oh, yes, yes I do. He’s a mighty fine car.” Atlas took my backpack throwing it over his shoulder. “Breakfast?”

“Yes please.” We crept through the apartment so we wouldn’t wake Adam. Atlas locked the door with the key he had given me. “What time are classes over?”

“I am all yours at noon. I did promise Dad dinner tonight though. He wants you to come.” I got in the car as he held the door open for me.

“I’ll be there.”

“We’re doing our Thanksgiving. The guys are coming Wednesday night so I’m leaving them instructions.” I laughed as he pulled out of the apartments. “We’ll see if they actually follow them and get it right.

“Wow a family dinner with your Dad.”

“Don’t sound shocked.”

“Frankly I am.”

“Atlas my father likes you.” I squeezed his knee reassuringly.

“I wasn’t so sure.”

“Trust me you’ve passed his test. At least so far.”

“There’s more?” A worried look flashed across his face.

“If you want to marry me one day there is.” Atlas pulled into a small breakfast dive not far from the school.

“Lets get you fed so you can murder that test.”

I let myself out much to Atlas’ disapproval. He held open the diner door being greeted with appreciative looks from their female patrons. A tired looking blond with a large pregnant belly sat us in a booth next to the window. She was quickly replaced with an older woman with graying hair who introduced herself as Patricia.

We placed our orders and thanked her as she walked away. “I need your help,” I told him as reality hit me.

“What’s up?” He ran his fingers down mine looking worried.

“We’re leaving tomorrow... I haven’t packed!” I threw my hands up dramatically.

“I thought girls needed at least a six weeks advanced notice to be packed properly.”

“Darcy, maybe, me, not so much.” I took a drink of coffee, grimacing. Atlas slid the creamer and sugar over to me.

“I should have known that. Jeans, short sleeves, jacket, dress for Thanksgiving.” Atlas shrugged.

“Easy enough.” We smiled and thanked Patricia again as she sat down our food in front of us.

“You’re not eating much, feel okay?” I teased pointing at Atlas’ three plates.

“This fantastic girl got up at two in the morning to make me grilled cheese. I’ve been fed more recently so no need for six plates.”

“Ah, she sounds like good people.”

“The best.” He smiled taking a bite of oatmeal.

“You flatter me.”

“Part of my job description, paragraph two, line six.”

“Touch
é
.”

“We better hurry if I’m going to walk you to class.” Atlas waved Patricia over for the ticket. I quickly ate my last two bites of whip cream and strawberry covered waffles at once. “Ready to go?” He asked, taking my hand. I nodded with a mouth full of food. Dropping cash on the table, he led me out.

“Thank you for breakfast.”

“Any time,” Atlas pushed me up against the car kissing the corner of my mouth. The soft, sweet feeling of his mouth on mine made my knees shake. “Whip cream,” he grinned, tongue brushing back and forth over his bottom lip. I couldn’t say anything from fear of stuttering. Atlas opened the door and I slipped inside. I would never be able to concentrate now. My mind was all caught up in the thought of him naked and whip cream.

Atlas started the car and drove the five miles to the college in silence. I pointed to the student parking lot where he stopped the car. “Did I do something wrong?”

“No, not even close.” I laughed, picking up my bag.

“You were quiet. Nervous?”

“A little.” I admitted.

“Don’t be, you’re the smartest girl I know.” He pulled me to his side, wrapping his arm around my shoulders.

“Thanks. You left me flustered after that kiss.”

“Flustered, huh? Just wait.” He smirked.

“Don’t be cocky.” I elbowed him in the ribs.

“I’ll make your toes curl.” He whispered seductively in my ears causing my cheeks to burn.

“Don’t make promises you can’t keep.”

“Oh I can keep it.” He stuck his pinky finger out to me. I looped mine around it, giggling.

“I’ll hold you to that.” I stopped outside the classroom door.

“Is this you?” He poked his head inside looking around.

“Sure is.”

“Where do you sit?”

“Over there.”

“By yourself?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Less distractions.”

“Are you going in?” He raised both eyebrows at me.

“Trying to get rid of me? Fine.” I pouted walking into the class and took my seat. Atlas stood by the door for a minute rocking on his heels. I waved to him from my seat, acknowledging a couple of my classmates as they walked by. Atlas started to walk away then ran inside, up the stairs to my desk.

“Can I help you?” Professor Rossham asked from his desk.

“No, sir.” Atlas smirked taking my face in his hands. He pressed his lips to mine, parting them as his tongue brushed my bottom lip asking for entrance. My hands grasped the front of his uniform as his tongue tangled with mine.

Professor Rossham cleared his throat as my peers started whistling. “If you two are done?”

“See you at noon.” He winked at me, running back down the stairs. “Sorry sir, couldn’t leave my girl without a proper good bye now could I?” He clapped the professor on the shoulder, smiling.

“I love you Penelope Noelle Grant.” Atlas declared from the front of the class.

“I love you too Atlas, you crazy, stupid man.” I rolled my eyes as he threw his head back laughing on his way out the door.

“Is that your boyfriend? A girl two rows down turned around looking up at me.

“Yeah, that’s my man.”

“He’s gorgeous!” She squeaked.

“I know.”

“Is he good?”

“Toe curling good.” I said and couldn’t help but laugh.

❋❋❋

Atlas was right on time waiting by a pillar in the common area. A guy from my class walked by fist bumping with him. I watched as a girl tried desperately to get his attention but he really wasn’t paying her a bit of mind.

“Sergeant Ryker, fancy seeing you here.” I called from across the room.

“Ah, Miss Grant, maybe you can help me. I’m looking for the most beautiful girl in the world.” He started walking toward me. “Do you have a mirror?”

I looked at him confused. “Why would that help you?”

“So you can see yourself.”

“Good looking and charming, I’m a lucky girl.”

“How was the test?” He took my backpack, kissing me quickly.

“Easy, aced it, no doubt.”

“Because you’re a badass.”

“Damn straight.”

“Well come on my little badass lets go get what we need from the store.” Atlas moved faster than I could register. He swooped down grabbing me behind my thighs and tossed me over his shoulder.

“I can walk!” I yelled as he took off running.

“No man left behind!
He’s not heavy, he’s my brother!
” He fist pumped the air as I beat on his back.

“I’m a woman and uninjured, you ass!”

“Maybe I just like the view.” He swatted my rear end, slowing down as we reached the car. Dropping me carefully onto the hood. “That was fun.”

“You’re all sorts of crazy.”

“About you,” he grabbed me behind the knees, yanking me down between his legs. I leaned back on the car, his hand catching my head. “So that kiss earlier...”

“I think I remember it.”

“I could remind you.”

“I was hoping you’d say that.”

Atlas mouth was on mine before I could blink. My hands clasped around his neck, red hair sprayed out against my car. His other arm snaked around my waist, holding me tightly to him. He was pressed between my legs making me ache for him in all the right places. I hiked my leg over his hip, bringing him closer needing to feel him.