Chapter 19
Chapter Nineteen
Atlas
Cleaning my station for the third time, I glance at the clock.
Cora should be here soon, and the urge to see her is overwhelming.
Beating that guy up last night was unexpected, and I didn’t like her seeing that side of me.
It was bad enough he had his hands on her, but his fate was sealed when he called her a whore. He’s lucky I didn’t kill him.
Don’t get me wrong. Bouncing his face off the wall felt amazing, and if Rhett hadn’t stopped me, I might not be sitting here right now. However, I’m not that person.
I’m not the one who lets his temper go unchecked and just starts whaling on people, but there’s something that comes over me when it involves her. The urge to protect Cora and get rid of anyone who would do her harm is suffocating. I can’t breathe until I know she’s okay.
They were only dancing, but she shouldn’t have been in his arms. She is so friendly with everyone, but I’m the only one who gets to touch her.
She might have been pissed at first, but when I had her pressed against the wall, she looked anything but mad.
Thinking about it makes my blood heat. Her light draws me in and judging by the way she didn’t push me last night, I’m starting to wonder if she’s drawn to the darkness in me.
I wonder if she sees in me what I see in her.
Her blue eyes held mine, and I caught the way her breath hitched when I traced my hand down her cheek.
Her skin is so fucking soft, just thinking about it gets me hard.
Recalling the brief look of fear in her eyes, however, quickly douses that heat.
I’m not good enough for her, but I’m working on it.
“So,” Seth starts. “You want to talk about last night before Cora gets in?” He’s sitting in the chair across from me, a curious expression on his face.
“What’s to talk about?”
Laughing, he shakes his head, “What isn’t there to talk about? Let’s start with you snapping at Cora when she came in looking smoking hot—”
“Do you want me to help you count your teeth after I knock them out?”
“And end with where you beat some guy, and if I heard correctly, threatened to use his corpse as a lawn decoration?” he continues as if I didn’t interrupt. “Gotta say, Atty, that’s gruesome even for you.”
“I don’t have to explain anything to you.”
“No, but you owe me a damn explanation,” a singsong voice interrupts, coming from behind me.
Whipping my head around, I see Cora has arrived. Shit. I wasn’t expecting her to come in early. Glancing at the clock, I see it’s only twelve thirty. She wasn’t due until two.
She’s gorgeous as always, but the smoky look she had last night is gone.
“What are you doing here?” I blurt out without thinking. That sounded bad even in my head.
“I work here. What are you doing? Threaten anyone today?” She folds her arms over her chest.
I take in the way her hair is piled on top of her head, along with the sweater and dark jeans she’s wearing. Continuing my perusal, I smile when I notice she’s wearing the same high tops she had on the day I met her.
“Are you really smiling at me right now? I can’t believe you.”
“What? I can’t smile now?”
Sputtering, she throws her hands in the air. “You are seriously deranged. Ya know that, Atlas? I don’t know what goes through that head of yours sometimes.” She huffs and turns around, heading back toward her desk. “Stay out of my business.”
“You have something you want to tell me?” Seth inquires, having watched the whole exchange.
Shrugging, I ignore his question and instead focus on the sketch in front of me. I overheard Kash and the guys talking to Cora last week about not having any ink. The idea of anyone else putting a tattoo on her skin makes my blood boil. No one will touch her skin but me.
I’ve been designing something special for Cora. Something that captures her as a person. She’s amazing, full of light and friendly and open with the guys, but we just seem to butt heads all the time. It’s frustrating, but I can’t get this out of my head. I refuse to apologize for protecting her.
I’m so engrossed in the details that I don’t hear the bell for the shop going off.
What I do hear is Cora’s soft laugh. Looking toward the source of the sound, I see Cora talking to some guy with dark hair and a beanie.
He might be a walk-in, but I don’t like the way he’s looking at Cora.
Like she’s something he has the right to smile at like he is.
My feet take me to the reception desk where they’re talking. “What can I help you with?”
A small thrill of satisfaction goes through me when Cora jumps a bit at my voice. Beanie boy turns his dark eyes toward me. I have a good few inches on him, both in height and muscle.
“Hey, man. I’m Matt.” He holds out his hand.
Not bothering to shake it, I ask again, “What can I help you with?”
Cora looks like she wants to throttle me, but I just smile at her. It’s fun to watch the stranger squirm.
“This is Atlas. You can ignore him. I usually do,” Cora explains with a smile. Does she know this guy?
“I was just dropping off something with Cora,” he answers my earlier question. Turning back toward her, he adds, “I should be able to meet you there, but if something comes up, I’ll text you. See you later.”
Waving, he turns and walks back out the door.
After watching his retreating form, I swing my eyes to Cora. “Who was that jackass?”
If looks could kill, I’d be a pile of ash on the floor right now.
“Is there something you actually need, Atlas, or will you just continue scowling? Matt, as he introduced himself, was stopping in because we have plans tonight. You could have been nicer to him. He’s a good guy, unlike some people. ” She gives me a pointed look.
So that was Matt and... wait. What fucking plans?
“Is he your boyfriend?”
“That’s none of your business, Atlas.”
“Is that guy your boyfriend? Answer me,” I demand, eyes fixed on hers.
Shaking her head, she sighs heavily. “No. He’s just a friend I have some plans with. Happy?”
The bell over the door rings, alerting another client. I want to scream at the interruptions but remind myself this is literally what we do; plus, I am a little happy he’s not her boyfriend. Maybe I won’t have to get rid of him… yet.
Not wanting to push my luck, I head back to my station to do some inventory. I spend the rest of the evening watching Cora and how she interacts with customers who come and go, only pausing to pierce some girl’s nose and do a small wave tattoo.
I watch Rhett head Cora’s way. She’s only got about an hour before she leaves to go out with Matt.
What a stupid name. She’s not going anywhere. If that guy comes back here, he’s going to end up on his ass in the street, friend or not.
Unable to shake the feeling of restlessness going through me, I stand to grab some water. I might need some fresh air. It’s chilly out tonight, but it might be welcome.
As I’m almost at the door, I hear a bit more of Rhett’s conversation with Cora.
“I thought you were leaving at seven?”
“No. I can stay the whole time. Matt texted me and said they had an emergency case come in, and he won’t make the game. It’s okay. No biggie.”
“What kind of game was it?” he asks.
Suddenly invested in their conversation, I change direction and head toward the reception area. I’m just hanging out in case there’s any walk-ins. “What’s up?”
“Well”—Cora turns her head to me—“you’ll be pleased to know that I’ll be here all night. Matt got called into work and can’t go with me, and the girls are both busy, so I’m not going.”
“Oh,” I stupidly say. That’s the best I came up with? Oh?
“Yeah, so did you need something or?” she questions.
“What kind of game was it?” Rhett asks again.
“Oh, sorry.” Her cheeks flush from embarrassment. “It’s a hockey game. The local minor team is playing, and Matt knows I love hockey.”
“Do you now?” Rhett smiles. I know that smile. “I happen to know someone who loves hockey. They’d probably go with you. I can ask them if you want.”
“I don’t know.” She looks torn. “I don’t want to go with some random person.”
“Oh, don’t worry, it’s not a rando. Atlas here loves hockey.” He clasps my shoulder, and I try not to look excited as Cora’s eyes swing my way.
“You like hockey?” she questions.
“Is it a bad idea to go in the ocean after getting a tattoo?” Rhett asks, which is rhetorical, because it’s a fucking awful idea.
“I don’t want to impose on his evening.”
“No imposition at all, right, Atlas?”
“No,” I rush to respond. “Not at all. I love hockey and—”
“And you have no more clients for the night, so it’s perfect!” Rhett exclaims.
I don’t need his help, but recalling how I keep fucking up, maybe I’ll take it. The idea of spending the evening with Cora, just the two of us, is too tempting.
“I’d rather not.”
“What’s the matter, Cora? Afraid you can’t resist me?”
A lesser man would probably cower at the glare she gives me, but to me, it looks like love. I can feel that she’s affected by me as well. I just need time to make her see it.
“I think I can handle my urges,” Cora starts. “We’ll ride separately so you can head out after.”
“Don’t bother.” I smirk, enjoying the scowl on her face. “I won’t bite, unless of course you ask me to.” Now if only there was a way to get her in the car with me.
Shaking her head, she scans her ticket. “It starts at eight. If we leave soon, that should give us enough time to get to the arena.”
“Perfect.” I turn and walk back to my station, Rhett hot on my heels.
As he walks toward his, I swear I hear him say you’re welcome under his breath.
Shit. A night out with Cora. I can’t mess this up. Every time I think I’m making progress, I act stupid and get in my own way. I need to be on my best behavior.