Chapter 38
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Cora
These past few days have been incredibly stressful.
With Noah and Atlas sharing the same birthday, I wanted to ensure we celebrated both in different ways.
The guys were all too excited to help me pull together a surprise party for Atlas.
Instead of booking the day out, we ended up closing the shop for the night so we could celebrate his special day.
Most of our clients took appointments earlier in the week, so it left us free for tonight.
The guest list wasn’t huge, but Mara and Mila came, as well as Emma and some of their regulars at the shop.
Looking around the room, I take in the black and blue colors.
Sure, there’s some silver in there, too, but even though Atlas may tattoo people with beautiful colors, he’s very much like a storm.
Dark and brooding, loud and chaotic, but then clear.
He hides that side of himself well, but I’m starting to really see him in a different light.
I hated lying to him last night, but when another box of decorations showed up, I panicked. Thank God Seth was there to walk me out; it gave us a few minutes to solidify some last-minute plans. I hope Atlas wasn’t too mad. I know he’s big on the whole “mine” thing.
After checking on everyone, I smooth out my new long-sleeved black dress.
It has lace cut-outs in the torso and edging at the bottom.
It’s both cute and makes me feel sexy at the same time.
I just pray this turns out okay. Surveying the room, I take in the silver foil that hangs around and the black balloons that skim the ceiling.
There’s a table with a few gifts on it, and of course, the cake.
Mila had so many orders for Halloween treats, but she promised me she could squeeze in a cake for Noah.
Sitting in the center of the table is a chocolate cake with strawberries and a chocolate ganache.
It reminds me of the night at Emma’s when he had strawberries on top of a brownie.
At the top of the cake is his name, written out in silver and surrounded by shiny strawberries coating the edge. It’s fucking beautiful.
Looking at the clock, I realize he should be here soon. “Are we ready? Is everything set up? Do you think he knows anything?” I rapid-fire questions at Kash.
Out of all the guys, Kash was the most supportive of the party. “Atlas deserves to be celebrated more than anyone else I know,” he told me as we set up balloons and the streamers. He didn’t elaborate, and I was too chicken to ask. If I want to know about Atlas, I want it to come from him.
Taking one last look around the room, I motion for everyone to take their place and shut off the lights. Seth told him to come in around six for his first client, and Emma kept him busy earlier today. It made everything fall perfectly into place.
I hear the door opening down the hallway, and my breath catches in my throat.
I’m so excited that I swear my heart might beat out of my chest. I’m also nervous.
What if he hates the party? Maybe I shouldn’t have done this.
It’s too late now. Seth turns the lights on, and we all jump out and shout, “SURPRISE!”
Atlas jumps about a foot in the air, and we all laugh. Looking around the room, his eyes land on mine.
“Happy birthday, Atlas!” I walk over to hug and kiss him on the cheek.
Turning his head at the last minute, his lips find mine. Caught by surprise, I gasp, and he takes advantage, sliding his tongue against mine. Winding my arms around his neck, I pull him closer into me until the sound of someone coughing registers. Pulling back, I feel the blush rise across my face.
Atlas looks at me intently as people come over to wish him a happy birthday.
He keeps me plastered to his side the whole time, running his thumb over the lace fabric at my waist. I shouldn’t feel the heat from his touch through my clothes, but it’s like he’s branding me in front of everyone, and it makes warmth flow through me.
“Did you suspect anything?” Seth asks him with a smile. He was hesitant about the party at first, not knowing how Atlas would react, but I’m so glad I pushed for this.
“No. Not a thing,” Atlas admits with a shake of his head.
“The way you jumped in the air was funny as shit.” Rhett laughs. “I swear you screamed like a girl. Ahhhh!” he squeals shrilly.
“Fucker.” Atlas shoves him with his free arm. The one not latched onto my side.
“Here. Let me show you everything.” I pull Atlas behind me. “There are presents and food; Emma told me some of your favorites,” I babble nervously, “There’s also a cake. Mila made it. It’s like double chocolate and strawberries.”
“Cora,” Atlas starts.
“Oh, and there’s also no clients tonight. It’s why we were so busy all week,” I push out.
“Firefly,” he continues, but I’m not ready for his reaction. I’m afraid he’ll hate all of it, or that I’ve fully overstepped. Atlas takes such good care of me, and he looks after Noah. I wanted to do something for him. Atlas deserves to know he’s loved.
Shit. Do I love Atlas?
Staring at him, I see his lips moving, but I don’t make out what he’s saying. “What?” I ask as he repeats himself.
“Did you throw me a birthday party, baby?” His brown eyes roam over my face as he pulls me close to him, the rest of the room fading away.
Meeting his gaze, I nod. “I’m sorry if you hate it. I just wanted to do something nice. Tomorrow is Noah’s, and I always celebrate with him, and we’re trick-or-treating, and I just wanted to do it for you.”
I see a few of our friends looking toward us, but he pays them no attention.
His normally dark eyes are locked on mine, and I can’t figure out what he’s thinking.
Sometimes it’s like he’s completely cut off from me, and I don’t know what’s going through his mind.
I hate that I can’t read him as well as he can read me.
“Baby. Stop,” Atlas murmurs, brushing a lock of hair away from my face. His hand rests at the bottom of my neck, his fingers playing with the hair there. Lowering his head to mine, he whispers in my ear, “Is this why you lied to me?”
Panicking, I freeze. “How did you know I lied?”
“Drove by your place last night. Lights were off.”
“I was at Mila’s helping get the last pieces together for your cake. I wanted it to be perfect,” I admit softly, looking away. I didn’t want to lie to him, but he’s too observant. Wait, it’s wrong he drove past my house, right?
Atlas tugs my hair lightly, not painfully, but enough to make my gaze shift back to his.
“If you lie to me again, Firefly, I’ll spank that pretty little ass red.
” He kisses me softly, his actions completely betraying his words.
A bolt of lust fires through my body. His dark eyes search mine, and he smirks.
“Or maybe lie to me anyway. We’ll both enjoy it when I punish you, Cora.
Your skin would look gorgeous with my handprint on it. Maybe I’ll even tattoo it there.”
I shouldn’t be interested in that type of thing, right?
I mean, I grew up being knocked around and seeing violence of all kinds almost every day, but with the way Atlas looks at me, and the husky tone of his voice, I know it’s different.
He’d never actually hurt me, and judging by the warm sensation pooling in my stomach, my body is all for what he’s offering.
If it’s with him, then I know it’ll be okay.
“Um, so presents?” I offer awkwardly, causing him to laugh. It warms my chest when Atlas lets this side out. I like carefree Atlas. I know he has baggage like me, but I choose to live my life happily, and I feel good. I want him to feel good too. He deserves it.
“There’s only one thing I want,” he confesses, brushing his lips against my neck.
Holding in a groan, I pull back. “We can’t do that right now.” I give him a pointed look. “You have guests.”
A teasing smile ghosts across his face. “That’s not what I meant, baby, but I like where your head’s at. I want that too, but there’s something else I want more.”
“What is it?”
“I’ll tell you when everyone leaves,” he promises, giving me one last quick kiss. “Now, what’s this about cake?”
The rest of the evening goes incredibly. The guys all take turns talking about their previous birthdays with each other, and it makes me feel a bit sad.
Atlas doesn’t have blood family to share this with but still seems okay. I shouldn’t feel sorry for him because I’ve learned that family isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, and usually, the family we make is the best kind.
Atlas opens his gifts as we watch. The guys all got him some form of gag gift. I swear, it’s like they’re still children. Kash gave him some lottery tickets, reminding him that if they win, Atlas has to split it with him, and Rhett gave him a box of over-the-counter medicines, for his “old ass.”
Seth gave him a gift card for an online store he frequently uses. When he opens Emma’s gift, he freezes.
“What is it?” I ask him, trying to see inside the deep box he holds in his hands. Pulling out a small picture frame, Atlas stares at it for a few moments, not saying anything.
Walking toward him, I find it weird that he quickly puts it back in the box and shuts the lid. His eyes find Emma’s across the room, and he gets up, pulling her into his arms.
He leans down, and we all watch as she whispers into his ear. Nodding, he pulls back and gives her a small smile, like a child who was just granted their greatest wish.
“What is it?” I ask again as he reclaims his seat.
Shaking his head, Atlas puts the box off to the side. “Later.”
I don’t know if I can wait until later, but I guess I’ll have to. I look to the guys, but they’re all as confused as I feel. I hear Emma tell them to mind their own damned business when they question her about it.