Chapter 42
Chapter Forty-Two
Cora
Noah’s birthday and trick-or-treating with the guys was fun.
I didn’t realize how much we were missing out on until now.
Noah’s always had love from me and the Morgans, but they’re family to us.
Atlas and the guys are different. They’re like the family we never saw coming but are quickly getting attached to.
Noah wanted us all to go as superheroes, and the guys agreed to go along with it, even Seth.
I’ve noticed him becoming a bit more distant lately, and it makes me sad.
Anytime I bring it up to Atlas, he just shrugs it off and says that’s how he is.
He never shared much about what happened before he arrived at Emma’s.
There aren’t many female superheroes, so I figured I’d invest in a black bodysuit and boots. I did my hair in big, bouncy curls. Kash catcalled when I came out, until Atlas punched him, scowling.
The costume was definitely the right choice.
All night, Atlas glared at everyone that looked at us.
It was solidified after Noah went to bed when Atlas tore a hole in the crotch of the bodysuit and fucked me against the wall of my bedroom.
He chanted “mine” over and over, as he pounded into me dressed as a villain with a prosthetic arm.
I never found eye makeup to be all that hot until Atlas.
My panties were wet the entire time we went around the neighborhood.
It took forever to get the guys to go home and Noah to bed.
As soon as I went into my room to get changed, Atlas stepped in behind me and locked the door.
Hands down one of the best experiences of my life.
My shoulder was a bit sore afterward, but it was so worth it.
The next few weeks pass by in a blur of activities.
Atlas hangs out with us most nights, helping Noah with his homework or making dinner for us when I’m working late at the library if it’s my night to run one of the programs. It’s been amazing having him here.
It’s not because it’s extra hands or anything like that, although I won’t complain about what his hands do.
I get to see this other side of him. He’s stopped taking female clients altogether at the shop, saying he refuses to touch another woman who isn’t me, or Emma, of course.
He’s pushed them onto the other guys, and he’s still not lacking for clients.
I never asked him to, but he simply said, “Lux in tenebris mea,” and left it at that.
Noah seems to be different lately, too. He’s come out of his shell a bit more and has started talking about some other friends at school.
He still hangs out with Dane, and they finished their soccer season with Matt.
We talked right after Halloween. Well, more like Atlas and Matt had a talk, but I almost died of mortification and lust.
“We’re going to be late getting Noah,” I hiss at Atlas, quickly grabbing my leggings and pulling them up.
Snickering, Atlas shoves his fingers in his mouth, licking my juices off them. I got home early from the library, and Atlas was already here waiting for me. What was supposed to be a late lunch turned into him having me for lunch.
As soon as we get to school, Atlas climbs out of the car first. “You good, Firefly?” He smirks when I stumble over my steps.
I almost want to wipe the look off his face, but then I remember what we did right before leaving, and I zip my lips.
He’s too damn good at playing my body just right.
It’s like he designed a map of every spot that sends me over the edge.
Matt stands off to the side but walks over with a smile when he sees me. The smile is quickly replaced with a frown when he notices Atlas standing next to me.
“Hey, Cora,” he greets. “Atlas, right?” His eyes shift behind me.
“You know it.” Atlas reaches around me, holding out his hand to shake Matt’s. I almost slap it out of the way when I realize it’s the hand he had inside me not thirty minutes ago.
Turning to look back at him, I level a glare his way, but instead of seeing it, he grins at Matt while shaking his hand.
That shouldn’t be hot, but it is.
“So, is this a new thing or is it—”
“It’s a permanent thing,” Atlas finishes, releasing Matt’s hand and putting his arms around my waist, resting his head on top of mine.
“It’s a newish thing.” I try to pull away. I don’t think it’s entirely appropriate for school, but Atlas isn’t letting up.
“Nice. Well, good luck with that.” Matt nods and moves to talk to someone behind us. “Later, Cora.” He waves, then heads off.
Whirling around, I glare at Atlas. “Are you serious? You shook his hand with the one that was just inside me!” I hiss.
He smiles so wide that a dimple cuts into his cheek.
Leaning down so we’re eye level, his lips quirk as he confirms, “You mean the hand I used to make you scream my name so loud that the neighbors heard? Of course I did. That way, he remembers who you belong to, baby, because you and I both know you’re mine.
” When he finishes, he stands back to his full height like he didn’t just short-circuit my brain.
The night after trick or treat, Noah pointed out a new frame on the shelf. Grabbing it, I felt my chest squeeze at the picture. It was from the first night we met Emma when Atlas took us to dinner. I didn’t even know she had taken a picture.
We are standing together: Noah, Atlas, and I. I have my coat on, smiling, my eyes focused on Noah. He had fallen asleep, and Atlas picked him up to carry him to the car. My gaze was focused on Noah, so I missed where Atlas’ attention was. His eyes are fixed on me, a look of adoration plain as day.
When I turned around, I found Atlas standing there. He was wearing sweats and a tee, looking a bit sheepish. “Emma gave it to me for my birthday. Your house is more of a home than mine, and I thought it would look better here,” he admitted.
“Cool.” Noah smiled, then walked to the kitchen, not realizing what he had just offered to a man like Atlas. His acceptance of him was summed up in one word.
Now we’re getting ready to go to Emma’s for Thanksgiving. It’s the first time in years I’m not going to the Morgans, but Atlas promised we would stop over in the evening. Emma gets up early to cook, and they usually have lunch and watch the game later on.
Emma said she had everything covered, but I couldn’t turn up empty-handed, so I talked Mila into adding another order of apple pie for me, along with brownies, of course.
Picking up my order from Twin Roasts, I try to shake this feeling of unease. Everything has been going well between us, and I haven’t seen Bea again. Matt and I will stay friends, and there’s no awkwardness there, so it feels too good to be true.
Mara tells me I’m being ridiculous, but I just can’t help it. Every time I think something is going well, it all falls apart.
Noah is wearing nice jeans and a shirt, while I opted for leggings and a long sweater. Atlas went over earlier in the day to help, so I told him it was no big deal to meet them there.
Driving over to Emma’s, I try to shake off the sense of foreboding, but nothing seems to work. Noah’s talking a mile a minute, and I’m trying to be present in the conversation, but it’s hard.
My tattoo is healing nicely, and as promised, Atlas still helps me apply the ointment. It leads to other things, but I can’t say he hasn’t stuck to his word. As we pull outside Emma’s, I take a deep breath and park.
Turning to Noah, I ask, “Are you ready?”
Before he can respond, my door opens, and a cold breeze filters into the car. “You’re here, Firefly.” Atlas grabs my hand and helps me out of the vehicle. Looking to the other side, he nods at Noah. “What’s up, punk?” he greets with a smile.
Ever since Noah got into a fight with that kid, Atlas and Mara started calling him punk. I hate it because it makes me feel like they’re saying he’s a bad kid, but Noah loves it, so I don’t protest.
Heading into the house, Atlas takes the bag of treats I brought and kisses me on the head. I ignore the gagging sound Noah makes. We’re used to it now.
The guys and Emma are in the kitchen, filling bowls with food. “What can I help with?” I offer, feeling out of place.
“Nothing.” Emma smiles. “The table has already been set, and food is being transferred. If you want to get some drinks out, you can do that.” She points toward the fridge.
Grabbing the pitcher of tea Emma always keeps here, I head to the dining room with it.
“Who’s ready for food?” Kash shouts, gaining a cheer from Noah.
Shaking my head, I remind him to use his inside voice. Emma waves it off, though. “I raised these boys. I’m used to the noise.”
Settling in to eat, Atlas grabs a plate for Noah. “Here, let me grab it.” I reach to take the plate from his hand. “He doesn’t like—”
“Corn,” Atlas cuts me off. “I know, Cora. He doesn’t like corn or gravy on his mashed potatoes. I got this.” He smiles.
I don’t catch what Kash says to Rhett, but it makes him snicker, and I feel my ears heat as he looks at me. Atlas scowls at him, and it just makes them laugh even harder. I feel like the butt of a joke I don’t understand.
“Ignore them.” Atlas shakes his head.
As we eat, I watch the guys and how they interact with Emma. You can tell they’re all so different, but they respect her and care about her. Noah’s seated at the table between me and Atlas.
Midway through the meal, Noah reaches for his drink, but knocks his cup over, spilling the contents onto the table. “I’m so sorry, Miss Emma,” he says as his eyes grow large with panic.
“It’s no big deal,” Atlas assures him, standing to grab some extra napkins.
I pick up Noah’s cup so no more will spill out and pat his leg. “It’s okay, buddy. It happens.”
Quietly nodding, Atlas comes back with some extra napkins. Standing, I reach for them. “I’ll do it.”
“I’ve got it, baby.” He motions for me to sit, cleaning up the mess instead.