Page 25 of Watcher
A sad smile tugged at Atticus’ lips. “That’s because that’s the story I fed him under the guise of my uncle. You know I’m good. There’s nothing I can’t do online without a single trace leading back to me. Especially since I played the long game while still allowing my father access to everything until the day your team stepped in. As far as the world was concerned, we were the perfect family.”
Foster leaned forward and swiped a sweet kiss across Atticus’ lips. “I’m so sorry, baby. You didn’t deserve to deal with all that at such a young age.”
Atticus snorted. “You’re the one who didn’t deserve everything you went through when you were a child. I still had money and the ability to do whatever I wanted. The occasional murder attempt aside, of course.”
Foster shook his head. “My childhood wasn’t as bad as the others. Like I said, you can’t abuse someone into being a loving person. Plus, if you’ve never had a parent to love you, then you don’t know you’re missing anything. Everyone in that program had only known and seen other kids in the program. We had no outside influences. We didn’t understand family dynamics. Everything we knew outside that facility was what we learned in books. All my brothers and I knew was we mattered to each other. So when we left that place, we made our version of a family.” A sad expression settled on Foster’s face. “That’s exactly why finding out they had no blood ties to us broke Tidy and Crisp the way it did. Those DNA tests weren’t meant to matter. They mattered.”
“Look at us having a two-way conversation about heavy topics. Hashtag winning.”
A loud laugh burst from Foster at Atticus’ bad, teenaged girl accent.
Atticus truly felt like he was winning every time he made Foster smile or laugh. He hadn’t believed this life was in the cards for him. Yet here they were.
“I truly am sorry.”
At his serious tone, Foster’s smile softened. “We’re good. You’re back. I assume everything is squared away.”
Atticus checked his watch. “Yeah. Should be. My cousin died in a boating accident about ten minutes ago. That was the last of my family.” He dropped his arm and met Foster’s stare. “You don’t have to blow this off. If you want to hunt me tonight and punish me, I understand.”
Another laugh burst from Foster at his stoic statement. “Is it punishment if you suggest it?”
Atticus shrugged. “It could be, if you do it properly.”
Foster’s jaw dropped. “Did I do it wrong last time?” He sounded hilariously scandalized.
“Do you think I’d tell you if you did?”
“Oh, that’s it.” Foster shot to his feet and snatched Atticus from his chair. He tossed Atticus over his shoulder and slapped his ass. Atticus tried not to laugh. This was Foster’s signature move, and Atticus knew exactly how to rile him up to get what he wanted.
When Foster tossed him on the bed, Atticus bounced. He couldn’t hold back the laughter any longer.
Foster leaped through the air and landed on him, bracing his weight on the way down to break his fall. He wore a huge grin as he came down on Atticus. Foster kissed every place he could while Atticus fought to escape. Atticus laughed too hard to make much progress. He ended up squashed to the bed on his stomach before the laughter turned to moans. Atticus buried his face and used every sense just to feel.
Foster bit and kissed as he stole the bottom half of Atticus’ clothes. Atticus’ cock had already smeared pre-cum on the bed before Foster rolled him onto his side. Foster did all the work while Atticus savored every delicious second. His eyes filled with unexpected tears when Foster slowly pressed his way inside from behind and made love to Atticus. That was definitely what it was. He rocked while kissing Atticus’ shoulder and neck.
Atticus fought to keep the tears from falling. He didn’t understand his emotions. It felt strange to be moved the way he was. It was just everything about the situation, about them, and how far they had come. Foster was deeply burrowed inside Atticus’ heart. Sometimes, Atticus didn’t know how to express the bottomless emotions he had never felt before. He had livedhis life looking over his shoulder and keeping people at arm’s length.
“I love you.”
The whispered words against his hair broke Atticus. The tears fell. He sniffed. “I love you too.”
Foster grabbed his chin and turned Atticus' face so he could see it, as if he needed to know for sure Atticus was crying.
His obvious concern had Atticus confessing something he never thought he would. “I didn’t think anyone could love me.”
Foster pulled out and rolled Atticus onto his back before going back to making love to him. “You’re so fucking worthy.” Foster held his stare—like he needed Atticus to see how much he meant the words. “I can’t believe I found you.”
A watery laugh escaped Atticus. “Technically, I found you.”
An aggravated-sounding growl came from the back of Foster’s throat before he kissed Atticus in the fierce way Atticus loved. He never tired of getting under Foster’s skin. His body wound tighter by the second, stealing all his thoughts. When the tension burst into ecstasy, Atticus saw them clearer than he ever had. They weren’t two screwed-up men just trying to find their way. Foster and he knew exactly what they were after: a flawless life together. That was exactly what Atticus would give Foster. He didn’t have to worry that Atticus would ever leave again.
Chapter Twelve
Foster:So,Imayor may not have set up a candlelight dinner on the balcony. Without the actual candles, of course. The wind kept blowing them out.
Atticus:Mhmm. I’m into that. I’ll pick out a nice bottle from the wine room.
Foster:No need. I’ve got everything covered.
