Page 65 of Atlas
“Yes. I recorded everything if you want to listen to it.”
“Maybe later.” With my shoulder, I pushed off from the wall. “Maximum arrived. He went to the beach with Liv, but they’ll be back soon.”
“That’s great. Do you mind if I take a few minutes for myself? I want to rest a little and note down some of my observations from my interview with Nathan.”
“No, that’s fine. You should rest. I’ll call you when dinner is ready. Even if you’re not hungry, you should still join us.”
“Of course, I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
Jolene was standing only a few steps from me when she tilted her head, and a smile grew on her face. “Atlas.”
“Yes?”
“Thank you for being protective of me.” She opened her arms and hugged me. “I know you mean well.”
I closed my arms around her and breathed in her scent. “You’re welcome.”
The hug lasted a long moment, with her leaning her ear against my shoulder. I didn’t want to let go. It was tempting to push the door shut and play out some of my fantasies with her. If Jolene were my lover, I would have punished her for making me worry about her so much.
She lifted her face to me and kissed me on my cheek. I should move back, or she would feel the bulge in my pants pressing against her stomach, but my inner wolf forced me not to move. Watching her, I waited for a reaction to my desire, but either she didn’t notice it, or she didn’t know how to react to it.
“I’ll see you downstairs,” she said and pulled back a little.
I held onto her a little longer, and it made her lift her brow.
“Get some rest.” My hand pushed a lock of her hair behind her ear. Her face was so close, and I wanted to take the kiss that I knew she would give me. Jolene was open to me, but only because she didn’t understand what darkness I hid inside. She had just thanked me for protecting her. If only she knew that the person I was protecting her from the most, was myself.
Closing the door to her room, I walked downstairs and saw a travel bag by the door. The sound of River’s voice flowed from the living room, and a strong scent of a flowery perfume hung in the air.
When I walked into the kitchen, River was on a high chair talking with Charles and Nathan.
“Hey sis, I’ve missed you.”
She spun and almost popped out her eyes when she saw my face. “Oh my god, Atlas. They told me it was bad, but you look like a bloody boxer.”
“I should. I fought one.”
Sliding down from the chair, River hurried to hug me. “Oh, I want to kick whatever vile creep did this to you.”
“You look gorgeous.”
“Thank you.” She smiled and tossed her hair back. “I should, with all the money and time I spend on my looks. I just had my nails done, do you like the color?” She held up her hands and showed off what had to be acrylic nails.
“It’s nice.”
She went back to the kitchen counter, and I followed and sat in one of the chairs.
“Here you go.” Charles placed a sandwich in front of River.
“Thank you. I haven’t eaten all day. It’s organic bread, yes?”
“Uh-huh.”
River opened the sandwich.
“Don’t worry, I didn’t sneak meat into it,” Charles said and looked at Nathan and me. “What about you, boys? Do you want a sandwich while I’m at it?”
“Yes, please. Ham and cheese for me.” Nathan pointed to River’s sandwich. “But, you can skip the avocado.”
