4. ‘Rebel’
FOUR
‘REBEL’
MYA
I’m so not prepared for Atlas’s sneaky approach, so when his lips touch mine, I feel my body hold in all of my air. Feeling a bit loopy and forgetting where we are at, I shift toward him and my arms tentatively go around his neck. With that little encouragement, his hands grab my cheeks and move my head a bit to the left. When his tongue rolls over my lips, I open and, holy-moly, shit, what they say in those books the prospects read is totally true, who knew? Not only do I see fireworks, the feeling of safety I get in his arms almost knocks me off the chair and right on my ass.
We are so involved in each other, that is until I hear a throat clear and it somehow penetrates, as we are going at it like teenagers. Oh no, shit, we are in front of his boys. I quickly pull back and my eyes hit Konstantin’s first. His expression is blank at first, but a slow cocky smile hits his handsome face. When he stares back at me, I feel horrible, until he winks at me and starts to chuckle. Stefanos and Thanos are also staring but with younger eyes. It’s the throat behind Atlas and me that startles me. I look up to see Heartbreaker with a shit-eating grin on her face.
“Sorry to interrupt, but the customers were watching the show and staring. Dude, bet you’re happy I didn’t bring the garlic dressing. Anyway, just throwing it out there, you two might want to plan a dinner without the children so if the urge to do what you two were just doing, you can, without young eyes on you. Rebel, you know any one of the sisters would offer to babysit these three handsome men.”
Atlas grins at Heartbreaker as I hear Konstantin readily agree to Heartbreaker “babysitting” them.
“Definitely, thanks so much for the tidbit with the garlic. And you are right so, Rebel, pull that phone out, let’s get something on the calendar right now. And sorry, I know you two are in that girl club together. I’m Atlas, you are?”
Snarling at his comment, I hold my tongue as the two of them share names and shift out of their way. What the hell was I thinking? Yeah, so I told Taz I’d give him a chance, but shit, we almost were ready to start fucking on the dinner table in the Wooden Spirits. I’ll never live this one down. My sisters in the club are going to have a heyday with this. Damn, I’m sure Raven is already making copies and sending the video of Atlas’s tongue down my throat to everyone. I’ll kill her if she did that, swear to Christ. Hearing my name, I look to see Heartbreaker smiling hugely. Damn, why didn’t I ever notice how simply gorgeous she is? Yeah, I’m under Atlas’s spell. Why would I be acting like I’ve never noticed her before?
“Yeah, what’s up, sister?”
“Asking if anyone wants dessert? Though looked like you were enjoying yours already with this one here.”
I glance at Atlas, who’s already asking the boys. I’m shocked when each and every one tells Heartbreaker they want to try the sugar-free apple pie because I said it was so good. Atlas stares at his boys for a second then looks at me. Something in his eyes warms my heart. Before I can say anything, he also asks for the sugar-free apple pie. I nod, telling Heartbreaker to bring me one then she turns, going to put the order in. Thank God for Thanos, who starts to ask if when they get home if he could skip his shower. He wants to catch up on the series Will Trent . That catches my attention because I’m hooked on that show, but looking at Thanos, I mean, he’s like what, nine-ish or so.
“Rebel, we all love that show. Yeah, he might be a tad young for it but not as bad as some he’s watched.”
Looking around the table again, I have all their eyes. I think for a minute and remember my promise to Taz.
“Yeah, I love Will Trent too. In fact, we record it at the conference building so if y’all ever want to come and watch, just let me know.”
The boys are all smiling but it’s the man next to me who gets me the most. He leans toward me, his thigh touching mine. When he speaks, I can feel his breath on my cheek, that’s how close he is. If I turned to look at him, I bet our lips would be not even an inch or two apart.
“We accept your invitation, Rebel, if you would join us at our house for a night of watching movies with some of my famous popcorn.”
The boys are snickering and Atlas’s green eyes are sparkling. I know this is his way to get me to his home and, in fact, I’d like to see it. Want to know how a single dad would set his home up.
“Sure, Atlas, just let me know when.”
The conversation starts to get loud and that’s when Heartbreaker comes back too. As she’s placing a piece of pie in front of Thanos, he just has to tell her our arrangement.
“Heartbreaker, we’re going to be coming to the conference hall to watch Will Trent. You want to watch with us?”
Feeling my sister’s eyes, I shift my head. She gives me raised eyebrows and big eyes. I shrug, not knowing what to say. Heartbreaker puts all the pieces of pie down then moves to Thanos’s side.
“Honey, I’d love to. Maybe we do it on the weekend and the entire club and their families can watch it too. You’ve got to promise me that you’ll save me a seat, cutie.”
Thanos blushes bright red. He looks to Konstantin, who gives him a small chin lift. Thanos looks up to Heartbreaker with his own cocky grin.
“It’s a date, Heartbreaker. Tell me your favorite candy and I’ll make sure Dad takes me to get it before we come out.”
Hearing Heartbreaker laugh out loud brings a smile to my face. That sister has been through hell and back a few times. She walks back to me, leaning between Atlas and me.
“Sister, you got your hands full with this crowd. I can feel the hot guy testosterone all around this table. This is going to get interesting fast. Good luck and remember what I tell ya. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t. Though, Atlas, just so you know, there’s nothing I won’t try once.”
Her laughter lingers as she turns and walks away. My eyes are trapped by the emerald gems of Atlas’s as his eyes move all over my face. I’m shocked he doesn’t look farther down, but gotta give him credit, he doesn’t. He turns and grabs his fork, digging into the pie. I watch as all four males put pie in their mouths. I wait for it and when it comes, it shocks me.
“Holy fuck, this is beyond good. I can’t remember when I ate anything so good. How does the cook make this, Rebel?”
Konstantin is staring at me. It hits me that this poor kid is diabetic. I know for a fact Cook doesn’t use sugar because her momma has the same condition. I don’t know what or how she does it, but it’s the best pie I’ve ever had.
“Konstantin, I’m not sure but I’ll ask Cook. Figure it out with your dad, and we’ll schedule a day of lessons for you from Cook. Her momma has diabetes and she makes all kinds of food that tastes better than anything I’ve ever eaten. You good with that?”
He’s nodding and grinning, so guess I did the right thing. When Atlas leans into me that tells me I’m right. By the time we finish our pieces of pie, I give a look to Heartbreaker to hand me the check as I’ll take care of it. Especially since Atlas probably saved that man’s life and the club another lawsuit. When I make the check mark action, she shakes her head then chuckles before she smiles and walks our way. So, when Atlas asks her for the check, she smiles at him then shifts her head my way. The look in his eyes immediately heats up my girlie garden. I can feel my nipples hard against my bra. Somehow, he knows because the grin he gives me actually has my entire body trembling. With a look. I’m so screwed it isn’t funny.
“Rebel, when I have dinner with a woman, I pay the bill. That’s my dominant side. So how much is it?”
I grin as my panties get wetter. Two can play that game.
“Well, Atlas, when someone saves a person’s life in my restaurant, I pay the bill. So we can argue all night, but your boys need to get home. Let’s agree that instead of fighting about a dinner check, we just make sure we have another one and you can pay that bill. Deal?”
I put my hand out, thinking he’d take it and shake. No, not him. Instead, he gently takes my hand and brings it to his mouth, placing a kiss on the top of it. When I feel the heat of his tongue, I flood my panties. Damn him. And he knows it because he lets go and tells the boys to get ready to go. Then he looks at me and with a deep gruff in his voice he tells me the two of us are going to dinner, I just need to pick a date. He tells me he’ll text his schedule over so I know when he’s available. Then he stands and starts to put his coat on. When I get up, he looks for my coat, I guess.
“I didn’t bring one, Atlas. Just this.” And I point to my kutte.
He takes his coat off and starts to fuss with it. When I see what he’s doing, I take a small step back. He’s separating his coat and when he’s done, he holds the fleece part. He puts the windbreaker on his chair. Then he motions for me to turn around. I do and he helps me into his coat. His smell and heat is surrounding me and, for some reason, I feel safe again. The boys come to me one by one, saying goodbye. Thanos gives me a young boy hug and tells me he’s definitely coming for movie night. Then he surprises me by asking what kind of flower Heartbreaker likes. Well, we have a crush, I think to myself. I think for a second then tell him not sure on her favorite flower but when I’ve seen her with flowers, they are always colorful. Stefanos stands a bit away and says goodbye, which makes me think he may be on the spectrum. I mean, we have Teddy in our lives and after all these years can recognize the signs. I’ve come to kind of understand the condition. Finally Konstantin is in front of me. For some reason he looks so innocent, I just have to pull him in for a hug. He returns it then pulls back. Not sure why, but I ask him for his phone, which he immediately gives me.
“Konstantin, if you ever need something or someone, here’s my number. I know your grown but with your dad and his schedule, don’t want you three to feel like you have no one. I enjoyed spending the night with y’all.”
I’ve never seen a teenage boy look so lost for a quick second before that wall comes up. Yeah, this kid has some issues. He looks me straight in the eye and softly tells me thanks. When he reaches down and squeezes my hand, I know it was the right thing to do. The boys start toward the front of the restaurant side. Atlas puts his hands on my shoulders and squeezes.
“Damn it, Rebel, with one meal you’ve captured three of the four Giannopoulos men’s hearts. And the only reason you didn’t get Stefanos is because my boy might not understand his emotions. Thanks for tonight, it was very interesting. Now I’m gonna kiss you, Rebel, so tell me no before I do.”
I hold my tongue and, man, Atlas does kiss me. When he turns to catch up to his boys, I have to grab on to the chair to stay standing. Feeling someone behind me, I turn and almost scream when I see Shadow’s face right there. When she grins, it’s actually even scarier. Knowing it is coming, I just impatiently wait. She doesn’t disappoint.
“So what did I just walk in on? Rebel, you of all the sisters, I’m pleasantly surprised. From what I hear, a doctor and not just anyone, but the one who delivered our little Mickie. Not bad, sister, not bad at all. Even so, just so you know, I’ll make some time to have a conversation with the Greek stud muffin. That’s when I can get to know him. Sister, I will always have your back, never doubt that. If you two start this, don’t forget those three kids. You won’t just be dating the stud muffin, you’ll be taking on that entire family, and my gut is telling me there’s a story and it ain’t a pretty one. Oh, loved the video, though, sister, in front of the kiddos? Not cool. Gotta say, and don’t ever tell Panther I said this, but you did good. Real good.”
I can’t help it, before I know it, I’m laughing so hard I’m bent over. Shadow’s also sniggering but, by the look on her face I see this woman will protect me, no matter what. To her utter surprise and mine, I hug her, saying thanks softly in her ear. She then shocks me when her arms go around me and she tells me you’re welcome. My God, I think Shadow and I just had a moment. One for the books.