Page 8 of Rebel

“Atlas, don’t go jumping the gun. We haven’t even gone on a first date. Patience, grasshopper.”

My eyes get wide. Fuck, did I say that out loud? Looking at the boys, they are eating and talking to each other, so no, thank God I didn’t. How the hell does she do that? If she can get in my head that gives her the advantage I usually want and need. With her continuing to giggle, I shoot her a grin, but deep down inside I know this moment is one you remember the rest of your life. So, I take a chance, with my fingers crossed, I lean down and place a gentle, innocent kiss on Rebel’s lips. That’s when my life changes immediately.

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 asksfor 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 seriesWill 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 loveWill Trenttoo. 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 watchWill 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 tosay. 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.

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