Chapter 35
Chapter Thirty-Five
Atlas
I’m counting down the minutes until I can see Cora again.
I had an early client today, so after Noah and I grabbed some pizza for lunch, I brought him into the shop with me.
Kash wasn’t super busy, so he offered to keep an eye on Noah for a bit while I worked.
I may have gone a bit overboard, but we spent the morning wandering around town.
After grabbing breakfast, I took Noah out to the local bookstore for some new things to read.
Cora mentioned a list in passing, so I figured I could add to his growing collection.
I was shocked when he asked to look at the vinyl they had.
Apparently, my Firefly has been giving him a music education.
The guys were surprised to learn that Cora takes care of her brother, but they took it in stride. They know all too well how much of a letdown family can be. I didn’t go into detail about her story, but they see it and know enough. Hurt recognizes hurt.
They don’t need to know anything about my girl anyway. As I work on the last part of my client’s design, I think about last night. I thought meeting Cora was the best day of my life, and it was, but damn if last night and this morning don’t come in a close second.
I think we’re finally on the same page. I wonder if it’s too soon to move in. My apartment isn’t suited for more than me, and Cora’s house feels like a home already. Every space in her house is filled with love and light, and I want to be in it.
Feeling my phone buzz in my pocket, I ignore it for a few minutes. After cleaning the rest of my client’s arm and putting some ointment on, I quickly wrap it. Plucking my gloves off, I admire my handiwork.
Max has been coming in here for a while. He recently got married to a sweet woman named Lily and wanted one on the side of his neck.
“She’s going to love it, man. Congrats on the wedding.
” Normally the words marriage or wedding would make me want to dry heave, but not when I think of Cora.
As long as it’s my Firefly walking toward me at the altar, you can count me in.
I’d marry her tomorrow if I didn’t think she’d run. Baby steps.
“I don’t know about that.” He laughs. “She warned me about getting something for her. Hey, did you know tattoos were permanent?” he jokes. “She thinks it’s bad luck.”
I nod and smile. A lot of people won’t get a couple’s tattoo because they think it’s bad luck for the pairing. I’m finishing the drawing for mine and Cora’s, and it will be as permanent as we are.
I’ll proudly wear her on my body, and no one will mark hers but me. As soon as Kash gets a second, he’s helping me with mine.
“Well, I guess that explains why mine don’t wash off,” I joke, making him snicker.
“Does that mean mine won’t wash off?” I turn to find Noah behind us, looking panicked.
“What won’t wash off?” Looking from Max to him, I almost dread his response.
“This!” he exclaims, pointing to his forearm, where the outline of a tattoo now sits. Whirling around to Kash, I find him with his arms up in a ‘don’t blame me’ kind of way.
Shit. Fuck. Okay. Max is laughing and grabs Noah’s arm, tilting it to the side for a better look. “Looks pretty good, little man. That’s a nice skull. Maybe I’ll get one next time.” Max shoots me a look and mouths, Good luck, then heads up to check out with Seth.
“What the fuck did you do, Kash?” I grit out once Noah is out of listening range. He’s over talking with Seth and Max. Cora is going to kill me.
“He was asking about what some of the stuff was. I remembered that we had that airbrush kit and stencils from when we did the kids’ tattoo party last year. We looked through the box, and he thought it was a cool find. Pretty badass if I do say so myself.”
Kash looks so pleased with himself; it’s like he doesn’t see the problem.
“Cora trusted me with him today. You have no idea how big that is, and you have to go and fuckin ink the kid up! She won’t like that,” I exclaim.
“What aren’t I going to like?” the soft, feminine voice I hear in my dreams asks behind me. Shit. Fuck.
Turning around, I see Cora standing in a skirt and sweater combo, paired with tights, arms crossed over her chest. Her hair is piled on top of her head in a neat bun, and fuck me, she has her glasses on. She’s a hot librarian in the middle of a tattoo shop. Cora is a wet dream come to life.
I’m about to get my ass handed to me, and I’m honestly a little excited. When she turns those angry blue eyes my way, it gives me tingles all over. I need to get her away from the prying eyes around here.
Letting out a sharp whistle, Kash gives Cora a big smile. “Wow, Cora. Maybe you should wear this more often here. Might get us some extra clients.”
Whirling around, I glare at him. “Shut the hell up. Don’t you even think about her like that.” Pointing my finger in his face, I remind him, “This shit is your fault.”
“Yeah, back to that.” She looks between the two of us. “What am I not going to like?”
“It’s no big deal. Noah just got himself some ink,” Kash says simply.
Cora’s eyes go wide, then narrow. “What do you mean, ink?” When she crosses her arms over her chest, giving her breasts a boost, my dick gets hard.
Now is really not the time, buddy. I know she’s hot and pissed off, but we might actually be in trouble. This morning may end up being a distant memory.
With her arms crossed and her hair up, she looks like an angry librarian who found out someone ruined a book. It makes me think of all the ways she could punish me, since I’m the one who wasn’t watching him properly.
When neither of us answers, Cora turns back toward the reception. “Noah, what did you do?” She drops down to her knees, and I bite back the groan threatening to escape because of how her skirt is now hugging her ass. Damn it. Control here.
He looks at her, then us. “I got a tattoo,” he states proudly, as if he’s twenty and can do that shit on his own. Pulling his arm from behind his back, he shows her the black skull that sits over his forearm. “Isn’t it cool?” he asks excitedly.
“It’s… something,” Cora says finally.
“Are you mad at me?” he asks, looking panicked.
“Nope. Not mad at you,” she says, standing to her full height. Taking a deep breath, she grabs her abandoned bag from the floor. “I’m going to change real quick. Please refrain from tattooing him anymore. He has a game tomorrow.”
I follow her retreating form and see everyone else in the shop watching her walk back down the hall. “Hey! Eyes off, fuckers,” I snap. Noah looks at me wide-eyed and shocked. “It’s… um, rude of them to stare.”
“Pretty sure your use of such appalling language is rude, Atty.” Kash snickers.
Glaring at him, I turn to catch up with Cora. I doubt she’ll ever leave me alone with him again now. The office door is still open, so I try the break area. The door is shut, but luck is on my side because it’s unlocked.
Opening the door, I expect to find Cora unpacking her things, but what greets me instead breaks my heart. Cora is sitting at one of our tables, head in her hands, crying.
“Firefly, don’t cry. It’s not really permanent. I promise we can wash it off,” I assure her quickly, pulling her close.
She grabs my hoodie and burrows into my chest, sniffling. “It’s not that. Although that doesn’t really help.”
Pulling back, I wipe away a stray tear. “Shhh,” I croon. “What happened and who do I have to kill?”
She huffs out a small laugh as if she thinks I’m joking. If only she knew how serious I am.
“She’s not worth the jail time.”
“If it involves getting rid of someone who made you cry, think again. I’ll rock that orange shit, and you can come visit me for conjugals.”
Shaking her head, she stands and walks to the fridge. Grabbing a bottle of water, she turns and studies me. I don’t know what she sees when she looks at me, but I know when I look at her, I see my future.
“I really don’t want to talk about it. I just want to get changed and get to work.”
“Why won’t you talk to me? Let me help you, Cora.”
“It’s not a big deal, Atlas. Just drop it.” She sets her water down on the countertop. I watch her movements as she gathers her change of clothes. I like this side of her. I like all her sides, but this one appeals to me. I don’t often get to see “Librarian Cora,” and I like her a lot.
“Cora, I can’t—”
“Just stop!” she shouts, whirling around to face me.
“You can’t just come in and expect me to tell you everything, Atlas.
It’s my life, and we barely know each other.
I know nothing about you, and yet I just keep spilling my guts to you.
No, I’m done with this.” She walks past me, but I snake out my arm, stopping her.
“You want to try that again, Firefly?” Gently grabbing the back of her neck, I hold her in place as I lean down. “What is it that you’re done with? Because I know you’re not talking about us.” Giving her neck a small squeeze, I release it and walk her backward.
Her back hits the counter in just a few steps. Lifting her, I place her on it so we’re eye to eye.
Why does she do this? I know she’s hurting, but I’ll be damned if she says that she’s done with me. Cora and I will never be done. I’ll be dead and come back reincarnated as a firefly so I can find her in every lifetime I live. Even death won’t be able to stop me from loving her.
“Atlas—”
“No, you’ve had your say, Cora. Now it’s my turn.” I step between her legs and make myself comfortable. Craving her touch, I pull her hips close to mine, enjoying the way her breath hitches. I know she’s affected by me, by us.