I HAD A sex dream about Atlas.

Instead of waking up to a night terror that still happens, albeit less than it used to, I woke up after a passionate sex dream about Atlas—horny. Tightening my hands around my coffee cup as I lean against the balcony doors of the bedroom, my eyes are glued to the ocean—more specifically, Atlas, as he surfs.

I can't help but bite my lip as he struts out of the ocean, his board under his arm that he places on the sand before tugging his rash guard over his head. His abs and lean body are on display, the sun hitting at it as drops of water go from his hair and run down his chest. My eyes zone in on the compass tattoo on his chest, the curiosity eating away at me.

My mind wanders back to the other night. The feel of his hands on my skin, the closeness of our bodies, and the potential for something to have happened. It's no secret I am attracted to Atlas. I didn't expect for my body to react the way it did. The way he was looking at me made me think if he saw something there between us. It took me by surprise. The way I felt and the fact it was the first time it felt like something had happened between us.

How do you face someone after having a sex dream about them? Without then reliving that dream when you look at them.

He runs his towel through his hair before throwing it over his shoulder and he places his hands on his hips as he looks around. His head looks up to where I lean against the door frame, his eyes staring right my way, and I can't help but think back to the dream.

His lips softly brush against my skin. Kissing his way down my neck, between the valley of my breasts which he palms with his hands and down my stomach. His hands are warm against my skin. Leaving tingles as he runs them up my thighs to my hips, pulling my body up to his. My hands run through his hair, gripping it as he cherishes my body.

My breathy moans fill the room and my back arches off the bed as he slides his hands around the back of me. His hands reaching to grab my ass and pull our lower halves closer together, gathering a response from both of us.

"So beautiful," he huskily groans as he takes a moment to stop what he's doing and run his eyes along my naked body. He leans down to kiss me on the lips softly, his hand cupping my cheek before he pulls back and runs his thumb against my skin, looking into my eyes.

I can't help a smirk come onto my face as I lean up and kiss him before flipping us around, so he is on his back. My body is draped over his with my full breasts pushing against his chest, my leg hooked over his hip and my hand doing its own traveling. I moan into our kiss as his hands grab at every inch of my body. His rough and calloused hands are a contrast to my soft skin, and I can't help but whimper as his hand travels up my neck and wraps in my hair.

Our tongues collide, entwining just like our bodies, and Atlas rolls us back over so I'm on my back. His hands entwine with mine as he stretches them above my head, our bodies pressed tightly together, able to feel every inch of each other. He peppers kisses along my neck and my eyes roll back in my head as I arch.

"The things I want to do to you," he mumbles as he moves his hands to grip my thighs and pull them further apart. His eyes staring into mine as he—

Cursing as some coffee slips out of my mug and burns my hand, I clean it up, breaking my gaze from Atlas's and head inside.

✺✺✺

"You know, it's nice to have another visitor aside from Atlas. I love that boy, but it's nice to see a different face from time to time."

June shares her gratefulness as we sit across from each other in the garden at the home playing chess like we do the other times I have visited her. The other residents linger around the large communal garden area, some of them on the other tables playing chess like we are, some taking a walk with their relatives who have come to visit them and even a group taking a yoga class. After meeting June that first time when she imparted her wisdom on me, the urge to come back and visit her was there. She's great. Someone Easton and Atlas are lucky to have.

Plus, she's a worthy chess adversary.

"Well, June, you have carved out a place in my heart," I tell her, making a move with my chess piece and she laughs. "I'm determined to beat you as well."

"Keep dreaming," she says, and I can't help but smile.

"Can I ask you something?" I ask her, crossing my arms and resting them on the table. She nods her head. "What does it mean when you dream about someone? To form a connection with someone you haven't known as long as other people."

She sits up straighter and hums, taking a moment to think about her reply before a sad smile appears on her face. "Well, you could know someone for five years and someone for five weeks, and you might have a better connection with that person you've known for five weeks. My late husband, god rest his soul, we only knew each other for two weeks before we got married."

I raise my eyebrows in shock, and my jaw drops at her scandalous life. "Two weeks? June!"

She waves me off. "I knew right then and there he was, the man I was going to spend the rest of my life with," June sighs wistfully and I smile. "Regardless, sometimes you just have that connection and if you're dreaming about them, then there's a reason for that."

Maybe I just need to get laid.

"Who knew you led such a rebellious life?" I say, and she laughs, shaking her head.

"Is a certain one of my grandsons invading your thoughts?" June asks, raising her eyebrows as she makes her move.

"I am not answering that," I tell her, and she chuckles, clearly my answer giving her the answer she needs.

"You may have not known him for as long as you think you should with thinking about him, but sometimes it just feels right." June reaches over and pats my hand. "Clearly you're thinking about him for a reason, and I think it's up to you to figure out if that is a romantic interest you hold. I can tell my grandson is gaining an infatuation with you and he would give you everything he has to offer with his heart. Be careful with my grandson. He's more fragile than he seems."

I give her a reassuring smile, and her gaze flickers over my shoulder. A bright smile covers her face and June stands up, opening her arms. Turning my head, I see Atlas walking our way, with one hand in his pocket and his other curled around a bouquet. His eyes flicker from June to me and a confused look crosses his face as I had never told him I have been visiting June.

"Atlas. This isn't your usual day," June says as Atlas leans down to give her a hug, kiss her cheek, and present her with the flowers.

"I know, but I won't be able to come on my normal day this week," Atlas explains, smiling fondly at his grandmother. "But don't think I've forgotten about you coming into in a few weeks for the day."

"You are a charmer," June says, patting his cheek. "Just in time to see me wipe the floor with Thalia."

"Speaking of, I didn't know you came to visit June," Atlas says, pulling a chair up to sit with us. His hair falls over his eyes slightly as he does and he pushes it back to look at me once he's sat down.

"Thalia has been coming to visit me ever since the first time you brought her here," June exposes me, and Atlas looks at me with raised eyebrows, although there is a hint of gratitude in his gaze.

"Is that so?" He smirks, and I can't help but roll my eyes. "See, I knew there's a heart in there."

"I just needed to know how June could put up with you for so long," I lie, and he smirks, knowing I am lying as he shakes his head.

"Whatever you say."

✺✺✺

"She's grown on you, hasn't she?"

Atlas is referring to June as his van rumbles along the stretch of road back to Sandy Cove. After spending hours with June, and both Atlas and I losing multiple times to her, my head is resting against the window as he drives us back.

"June's great. You're lucky to have her," I say, and he hums in agreement. We lapse into a silence once more as he continues to drive. I feel his gaze flicker over to me a few times.

"What are you thinking so hard about over there?" Atlas asks. I'm definitely not telling him about the sex dream.

"Gabi asked me when I first got here how long I'll be here for."

"That's what you're pondering?" he asks, amazed, and I shove him. "Careful, I'm driving."

"Wouldn't want to crash your precious VW," I tease. "No, not entirely. It just got me thinking of how long do I want to be here. I mean, I've been here for three and a half months now and then I got onto why I'm here. I want to surf again, it's not that I don't. I want to be back on the circuit and doing what I love," I explain to him. "I just wish it was easier."

"One step at a time."

"Oh yes, now that you say that, it sounds easy," I sarcastically remark.

"Don't question my wisdom just yet. I've been known to give expert advice," Atlas says, and I raise my eyebrow.

"Okay, hit me with some random advice."

He taps his fingers against the steering wheel for a few moments before he smiles. "Sometimes all we need is a little sunshine in our lives."

"Well, you do have the whole sunshine thing going on," I say, motioning around his body.

"It's the blonde hair," he remarks.

"And the blinding white teeth," I add.

"It's a hardship being me," he sighs, and I laugh. "When you get back on that board, just be sure to mention me in your speech when you win," he says, shrugging.

"Don't worry, I won't forget to mention the weird surfer guy who asked me if I was waiting for a sea creature to jump out and swallow me whole."

Atlas throws his head back, laughing, and I can't help but smile.

"Mind if we take a detour before I drop you off?" Atlas asks, and I turn my head to him, raising my eyebrow.

"Where to?" I ask.

He shrugs. "You'll enjoy it. Just trust me."

✺✺✺

"You were right. I will enjoy this."

Atlas's VW is sitting on the top of the cliffs overlooking the wide ocean as the sun sets in the distance. With the back doors open, he's made space in the back, with a blanket and pillows set down for us to get comfortable as we enjoy the view. Atlas has a smug smile on his face as he leans his arms on his knees as he looks out at the view.

"See? I have some great ideas sometimes," he says, reaching over to where a cooler sits and he pulls out two beers, handing me one.

"Did you have this planned already?" I ask him, raising my eyebrow as we tap our bottles together before I bring the beer to my lips.

"I didn't know you'd be with June, but I was planning to see if you'd join me tonight," Atlas says, and I chuckle. We get comfortable, him lying with his hands behind his head and I join lying next to him. The sunroof is open, allowing us to see the colors of the sunset in the sky and even some stars as they appear. The sound of the waves crashing against the cliffs below is peaceful, and the view of the sky above adds to the ambiance.

"I have to admit Sandy Cove has some amazing views," I say, and he nods his head. I turn my head to look at him and he copies me before I turn to lie on my side, facing him. "Can I ask you something I've been dying to ask since I met you?"

He raises his eyebrow, intrigued. "What is it?"

"What's the meaning of your tattoo?"

He chuckles, shaking his head before looking at me once more. He winks at me before sitting up and my eyes widen as he pulls his shirt up over his head and lies back down. His toned stomach is on display and my eyes are drawn to the tattoo on his chest that sits where his heart is. It's an intricate detail of a compass map. A form of a star in the center with multiple circles around it, along with the north, east, south, and west directions. The black and white ink stands out against his tan skin.

"As cheesy as it sounds, the compass is there as a reminder that you'll always find your way back home, and home for me is Sandy Cove, which is why it's over my heart. To remind me," Atlas explains, and I lift my hand to trace over the tattoo.

"For someone who is an open book, you hold this air of mystery around you at the start. I mean, I was always wondering what the tattoo meant," I explain, and he chuckles. The feeling of his chest rumbling hits my fingers.

"I got it when I turned eighteen," he mumbles as he watches my fingers dance around his tattoo. My eyes lock with his and with one hand still behind his head, his free hand reaches to cover my own. His fingers play with my own as our eyes stay locked on one another. His eyes trap me, and I can't help but let my mind wander to the sex dream, especially with the feeling of his hand in mine.

"It's beautiful," I tell him, laying my hand flat on his chest and he squeezes my hand. The feeling of his heartbeat thumps against my hand.

"What about yours?" He questions, his eyes flickering to my body that is covered, but he knows where my tattoo is from being in bikinis.

"I got it at eighteen too," I say.

"I think since you've seen mine it's only fair," he says, and while there is teasing and flirtation behind his request, the undeniable look in his eyes is serious and heated.

Removing my hand from his, I sit up and lift my sweater up slightly to reveal the tattoo of a simple wave that sits on the side of my ribs next to my left boob. Atlas sits up, resting his arms on his knees as he reaches out to trace my tattoo. A shiver racks through my body at his touch and he notices.

"Why a wave?" Atlas asks, swallowing, and I can see his Adam's apple move as he does.

"It seems pretty basic, and the only real meaning is, of course, the ocean and surfing," I say, and he nods. He flattens his hand, so it rests on my ribs, curling around me. I feel drunk. I'm not, since I've only had one sip of beer. But I feel drunk on him. The way he looks at me and the way his hand feels on me.

"I like it," he hums, and I smile before tilting my head.

"Do you ever question why it's easy for us to open up to one another?"

Atlas looks surprised at my question before he thinks about it seriously for a moment and nods his head. "I mean, I say I'm an open book and I am. But compared to how long it took me to tell June, Easton, Gabi when I was younger, I've never talked about my past to anyone that fast."

"Why did you decide to tell me?" I ask him.

He shrugs. "You were vulnerable with me, and it took a lot of guts to do that. It was brave and maybe I just wanted to be brave too."

"Maybe it's because we can both relate to each other," I say, and he nods his head. "I mean, you are easy to open up to."

"And regardless of your stony expression when we first met—" he begins, and I can't help but laugh. "—you're easy to open up to also and will never judge."

"Hmmm," I say, smiling, and he smiles back at me. His eyes flicker down to the smile on my lips and for a few moments, we stay in our position as we look at each other.

"I think this town is softening your grumpy side."

"That will happen when sea monsters jump out of the ocean."

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

A U T H O R   N O T E

SHE HAD A SEX DREAM! This was so fun to write, just so many moments in this chapter with their attraction to one another. 

Also I didn't end up going on my trip because of the train strikes so yay Friday update!