Total pages in book: 176
Estimated words: 167257 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 836(@200wpm)___ 669(@250wpm)___ 558(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 167257 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 836(@200wpm)___ 669(@250wpm)___ 558(@300wpm)
Tony: All good, boss. New tires are on.
Tony: Also changed oil, checked brakes, and topped fluids.
Tony: Dropped off the car an hour ago.
I smirked my approval as I texted back. Thanks, T.
Hudson may not have agreed with my methods of leadership, but not even he could deny that Tony’s sudden competence wasn’t a mere coincidence after I’d whooped his ass.
Hopping in my car, I sped to the shop. Today was my Saturday to oversee our small kingdom, and I didn’t accept tardiness—not even from myself. When I arrived, I found Atlas already waiting. Her gaze flicked up to me as I walked passed, and then she pushed away from the door she was leaning against so I could unlock it. Tuesday had her own set of keys, but since we didn’t trust Atlas yet, she was stuck waiting until further notice.
“Good morning,” she greeted, surprising me. Her tone was pleasant enough, but I could hear the wariness sheltered underneath. I guess this was her armor—pretending nothing had happened and it was business as usual.
All right. I could play along.
I paused from turning the lock and glanced over my shoulder to see her chewing on her lip. “Sup?”
She shrugged her shoulders. “How are your eyes?”
It was then I remembered I was still wearing shades, so she couldn’t gauge for herself the damage she’d done. Returning her gesture, I shrugged. “I’ll live.”
Out of pure curiosity, I waited to see if she felt any guilt, but she only nodded and jutted her chin in the air before looking away. Something akin to pride bloomed in my chest, but I pretended I didn’t feel it as I debated asking how she was. I knew it wouldn’t change a thing, but it fucked me up to think I might have broken her when a week ago, it was all I wanted.
Since my concern wouldn’t be appreciated anyway, I pushed the urge aside and finished unlocking the door.
I entered the building and scanned the darkness for any threats lurking before flipping on all the lights and letting Atlas inside. For now, it was just the two of us since the shop didn’t open for another hour.
Atlas’s training was officially over, so today would be her first time flying solo. The shop would only be open until noon, which meant it would be a pretty chill day.
I was headed for the stairs so I could have a few moments alone in my office to get my shit together when I heard her quiet voice at my back.
“Owen.”
“What?” I replied without slowing my stride or looking back. I couldn’t let her see how much I liked hearing her same my name. Only my mom called me Owen, but Atlas took the cake for sure.
“How did you find me last night?”
“This is my city, Atlas. I knew only one bus was still running that late that would take you back to the motel.”
“But how did you know I was staying at the motel?”
I paused and then mouthed, “Fuck.” Against my will, I turned around to face her. This was not the time to reveal I’d been stalking her pretty ass every chance I got. Some nights I even slept in the room next to hers just to make sure no one fucked with her. “Allow me to repeat myself. This is my city,” I stated arrogantly instead. “There’s not much I don’t know.”
Atlas looked me up and down but didn’t comment on my statement. “And Savannah?”
I sighed. “What about her, Atlas?” I found it interesting she was asking twenty-one questions about a bitch after she’d pretty much told me I didn’t have a chance in hell with her last night.
“I didn’t see her in the car when you dropped me off.”
Several responses filed through my head before I decided Atlas couldn’t have it both ways. She couldn’t run me off and keep me on a leash at the same time. “What are you asking me?” I played dumb. “If I went home and fucked her after leaving you last night?”
“Yes,” she immediately hissed.
My dick gave a curious twitch, hearing the jealousy in her tone, so I held her gaze as I brought my hand to my erection and squeezed it through my jeans. I was letting him know there was nothing happening.
Atlas had that pussy on lock.
It seemed only one of us remembered, though. I watched as her gaze lowered and lingered on my dick growing against my thigh.
“Why?”
Her gaze shot back up to mine and she gave a guilty startle. “Huh?”
“Why does it matter?” I repeated. I sunk my teeth into my bottom lip and felt my lids lower as I leaned my shoulder against the wall and regarded her across the room. “You don’t want me, remember?”
“Yes, I remember,” she said a little too quickly. I watched her inhale deeply and then slowly exhale. “It matters because I know you still want to fuck me, and I’m not too proud to admit that I’m afraid you might succeed.” She squared her shoulders to make herself appear taller and unyielding. “I can’t be with you if you’re with her.”