ATLAS “W-what?” She backed away, averting her flushed face. “I can do it myself. So please, step out—“ I grabbed her wrist and pulled her close, stealing the words from her mouth. She gasped as she collided against my chest, her hands moving up to press against the hard wall. “Stay still, Elena,” I mumbled, my fingers slipping up and working at her buttons. “You don’t look so nice covered in filth.” She let out a shaky breath as my fingers scrapped against her skin, but I swore to remain focused, peeling off her shirt button after button. Soon, the shirt fell to the floor around her feet, her supple skin exposed to my hungry eyes. I swallowed hard, guiding her towards the shower. A thick silence hung in the air between us as the water cascaded down her back, and still unable to

