Page 20 of Atlas (The Chaos Demons MC #6)

I almost groan out loud at the sound of Kasey’s voice. “Posh and . . .” She laughs, stopping beside me. “I can’t exactly call you Becks.”

“Not now, Kase, hey,” I mutter.

“You got a car you need to be under,” she says bluntly.

I arch a brow. “Now, you’re the boss?”

“Someone needs to be.” She gives me a pointed stare. “I was just speaking to Rue on the phone. She sounds happy.”

My eyes flit to where Anita stiffens. “Seriously, Kasey, get the fuck out,” I snap.

She rolls her eyes but heads out, slamming the office door.

“I should go. Ask Axel to sign this and get it back to me,” says Anita.

“We can still be friends,” I blurt. “Can’t we?”

She stares for a moment. “I don’t know, can we?”

I nod. “We can at least try.”

A small smile pulls at the corners of her mouth, and I relax a little. I prefer it when she’s happier. “Okay, that sounds good.”

“If you need anything, with your son or whatever, you only have to ask.” Tears fill her eyes, and I panic. “Shit, sorry, I don’t want to upset you.”

“It’s all just . . . hard.”

The tears roll down her cheeks. I’ve never really seen her cry and it breaks me. I tug her to me and wrap my arms around her, automatically burying my nose in her hair and inhaling her familiar scent. It feels grounding, safe. “Don’t cry,” I whisper.

I feel her shoulders shake as she sobs against my chest. Her arms wrap tighter around me, and I know without a doubt she needs a friend right now. “Shall we get some lunch?” I offer.

She takes a shuddering breath. “If you’re busy, it doesn’t matter.”

“I’m never too busy for you, Nita.”

Rue

Kasey is usually singing or talking or just generally bouncing around like a puppy. But this evening, she’s quiet. It’s worrying.

“Out with it,” I say, flopping onto my back and staring up at her bedroom ceiling. The club gave her a basic bedroom but every time I see her, I bring something to make it homely. Today’s gift was a fake plant, because she’d kill a real one. “You’re unusually quiet, and I hate it.”

“You tried to have me medicated in school because I drove you mad,” she reminds me. “You said I talked way too much.”

I smile at the memory. “You were exhausting.”

“Are you and Atlas serious?” She picks at her fingernails, keeping her eyes fixed on them like they’re suddenly the most interesting thing in the world.

“It’s been a few dates,” I say with a laugh.

I’m playing it down. She doesn’t need to get attached in case it doesn’t work out, and that’s one of her downfalls, she gets attached so easily.

And truthfully, I have no idea what’s going on with me and Atlas.

He’s great, too great if I’m honest, and I keep waiting for the flaws to show.

After we slept together, I thought that would be the downfall, he’d suddenly ghost me and I’d be embarrassed and have to stay away from the club, from Kasey.

But he was attentive after, sticking around until late when I couldn’t hide my yawns.

He texted the second he got back to the club and video called me the following day to wish me good morning.

The truth is, he’s a dream and I have to keep pinching myself to check he’s real.

“Do you like him?” she asks.

“Yeah, he’s a nice guy so far.”

“So, you think it could get serious?”

I frown. “What’s going on, Kase?”

She bites the corner of her lip, dragging it through her teeth, whilst she gathers her words. “His ex came by yesterday.”

I bristle at her words but try to hide it. “Okay. So?”

“They went to lunch together.”

“It’s not a crime,” I say with a shrug that I hope passes off as easy.

“Did he tell you about it?” she asks, eyeing me closely.

I shrug it off, shaking my head. “He doesn’t need to. I’m not his owner.”

“But if he’s with you then—”

“I never said he was,” I snap, instantly regretting it. “Sorry. It’s just, you’re reading into it too much. Me and Atlas . . . we’re, friends and—”

I glance up as he fills the doorway with a pissed expression. He arches a brow. “A word, Rue,” he states.

“I’m a little busy,” I mutter, unsure if I’m ready for him to confess all about him and Anita.

“Now,” he adds, turning in the direction of his own room and disappearing down the hall.

“Great,” I mutter, pushing to my feet.

“He looked annoyed,” Kasey points out.

I shoot her a glare. “Yes, I noticed.”

“Maybe he thought you were more?” she asks hopefully.

“I doubt it, if he was with his ex yesterday. He’s probably about to tell me he’s getting back with her.”

She sits up. “Shit. Do you want me to come with?”

I scoff. “And watch me get dumped? No thanks.”

“I thought you said you weren’t together.”

I groan as I head out, ignoring her.

I find Atlas pacing. The second I step into the room, I’m swept off my feet and pressed to the wall, where he wraps my legs around his waist and presses his forehead against mine. “Friends?” he asks, and there’s a glimmer of hurt in his eyes.

“I didn’t know what to tell her,” I say, avoiding his glare.

“You tell her we’re a thing,” he growls. “You tell her we’re the step between fucking and forever.” My eyes shoot to his. “But don’t tell anyone we’re just friends , Rue. We’re way past that.”

His hand runs through my hair, gripping it at the roots and gently tugging my head back so he has access to my throat. His beard rubs against my skin roughly as he presses his nose there and inhales deeply. “That smell,” he murmurs, his eyes filling with heat. “I’m addicted.”

I should ask him about Anita. I should tell him the context of mine and Kasey’s conversation, but I don’t. I’m too focused on the way his erection is pressed between my legs.

“I’ve missed you,” he whispers, nipping at my neck. His mouth finds mine, and when he kisses me, it’s like the first time all over again.

“It’s been a couple days,” I say with a laugh.

“Far too long. Shouldn’t you be naked?”

I laugh again as he slides me down his body and takes a step back.

He lifts his shirt over his head, dropping it to the floor.

Then he waits, watching me until I do the same.

He keeps staring, nodding at my bra, so I remove it and add it to the pile.

He hasn’t seen me naked, but under his intense stare, I don’t feel worried or self-conscious. I feel sexy and wanted.

Atlas unfastens his jeans and shoves them down his legs, stepping out of them, then looking at me to do the same.

I make quick work of the loose fitted cotton trousers, kicking them to the pile.

I hook my thumbs in my knickers, but he shakes his head and takes a seat on the edge of the bed. “Leave them on.”