The Taste of Seduction

He wondered how in a short span amount of time she had been able to evoke more emotions in him than he has ever felt since his parents died. Only she could bring warmth to his cold, dead heart.

That\'s why he panicked and avoided her for days. Because he was obsessed with her and the feelings, she evoked in him. That made him feel vulnerable and he hated that feeling.

"What\'s wrong?" She asked, her expression sliding into a frown. He found the way her eyes narrowed and her eyebrows pulled together cute.

A flicker of smile passed his lips and he shook his head, "Nothing. I\'m just stunned by your beauty."

Color spread across her cheeks, "What? I\'m not that beautiful. You have probably met more beautiful girls than me."

Atlas noticed the bitter tone in her voice and he smirked. "Hmm yes. Honestly I have."

Meredith face sagged and she lowered her head playing with her fingers. Atlas saw the way her shoulders had slumped and he knew she was feeling insecure.

Atlas held her chin forcing her to look at him but she pouted avoiding his gaze.

"Jealous, Angel?" he asked flashing her a lazy smile.

"N-no."

Atlas chuckled, "It doesn\'t matter though. They might be prettier but they have nothing on you, Angel."

"Huh?" Meredith asked blankly.

"They probably have the experience, beauty and skills. What do you mean they have nothing on me?"

"Your innocence. Your desire to explore the dark side, it\'s fucking tempting and it drives me insane."

Meredith rolled her eyes, "you\'re crazy."

"Hmm and who\'s fault is that?" He asked as he tickled her.

Meredith started laughing and playfully pushed his hands away. Atlas looked at her laughing and an unexpected warmth spread across his chest. His heart skyrocketed while he stared at her. The sound of her laughter was now his favorite melody.

"Atlas. stop" She said in between laughs. Her laugh was so infectious that he laughed along with her. He stopped and grazed his lips on her. A small gasp left her mouth and he took the opportunity to kiss her softly.

"You\'re not just beautiful but divine, Angel. Never forget that." He whispered against her lips before he pulled away from her.

"Anything you want to know about me?" he asked her. Atlas was surprised because he didn\'t like opening up about his life to people but with her, he wanted to.

Meredith stared into his eyes as if she was staring through his soul.

"You said you enjoyed killing people.... why?"

Atlas\'s eyes widened. He wasn\'t expecting that question. He was hoping to see fear or disgust in her eyes but there was none. Just pure curiosity.

"You know the story of my parents being killed and getting taken by a family friend?"

Meredith nodded but she said nothing.

"He took us to go through some trials. My father was the leader of a mafia organization and they wanted me and brother to take over but before that, we had to prove ourselves. "

Atlas lowered his head, "I first killed someone at 10years old. I was so scared when I first held the gun but the moment, I pulled the trigger and his lifeless body fell on the ground, I laughed."

He looked up at her, he wanted to see the emotions in her eyes because the eyes never lie. But there was nothing there.

"I started laughing after every kill because If I didn\'t, I would cry. And I would rather pretend to enjoy killing to install fear in people than let them see me weak.

Slowly I developed into this freak who enjoyed killing. I liked the power and dominance. I wasn\'t the helpless bullied kid anymore. The world was a cruel place and if I wanted to survive, I had to turned into a monster."

Atlas had no idea why he was telling her this. He had never told anyone this. This was one of his deepest scars as a kid.

"Weren\'t you feeling guilty?"

Atlas let out a low mirthless chuckle, "I did. I still have nightmares. But we never killed an innocent person. It was powerful people who were rapist, pedophiles and abusers. Every person I have killed deserved it." He gritted out.

"How do you overcome the guilt of killing someone?" She asked, knotting her fingers.

Atlas frowned. Why was she asking him these questions? Weren\'t she supposed to asking about his favorite color or something? She sure was weird in her own way.

"You don\'t. The guilt would always be there. You just have to ask yourself if the kill was worth it or not."

She forced a nodded while her brows creased. Atlas raised his brows, that look in her eyes he had seen it before. In Ace\'s eyes, the first time he had killed someone. Did she

Atlas shook his head; he was overanalyzing things.

"Are you ready for a surprise?" he tilted his head as he stared at her finally breaking the silence between them

"Surprise?"

Atlas nodded, he stood up and stretched his hand for her. Meredith took it and he helped her up.

"Let\'s go." He said softly. He hoped she liked his gift because he had prepared the whole day for it.

They walked back to their room. Meredith arched her brows.

"The surprise is in the bedroom?"

Atlas nodded, "Close your eyes, no peaking. If I see you peaking, I would punish you." Atlas kissed her forehead before he opened the door.

The room was dark but he could see due to the candles that had been lit up. He brought her closer to his bed.

"You can open your eyes now."

He watched her mouth opened and moved but nothing came out.

"I hope this is closer to the one in your fantasy."

"You re-mem-bered." She stuttered, the moment she opened her eyes.

"Of course, I did. I would never forget anything when it comes to you."

He pulled her into a hug. He hid his face in her hair and inhaled her scent. Talking about the past had messed him up and he needed her to calm down the chaos surging himself in.. He needed her and he couldn\'t wait to claim her.