Page 12 of Tempting the Titan


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The charged atmosphere shatters when the office phone rings. “Duty calls. Do you need anything else, boss?” she asks in a sugary tone.

I let out a low grunt before adding, “Remember to follow the rules, and you’ll be fine.”

She holds up her hand in Scout’s honor. “Promise.”

“Good girl,” I mumble.

Heat flares in her eyes, and a spark shoots through me when she bites her lip. My eyes wander to her lips, imagining how they'd feel pressed against mine.

“And thank you for the coffee.” As she steps away to answer the phone, her hips sway provocatively.

My heart pounds loudly in my ears, perfectly in sync with the rhythm of her hips. I avert my gaze and subtly shake my head. I can't help but laugh, an actual laugh and not my usual grunt.

CHAPTER 6

Atlas

A few days later, Celeste strides into the office. Her nostrils flare as she announces, “It's stuffy in here.”

“What's got you hopping mad?” I ask, genuinely concerned at her sour expression.

She groans and rolls her eyes before replying. “I've just been invited to a 'let's all get to know each other' party by an obnoxious woman who lives in the same estate as me. She’s the self-proclaimed queen of social events.”

Ah, not good. I nod sympathetically. “Don't you want to go to the party?”

“I wouldn't mind if it were an afternoon tea with cake or something,” she says with a scowl. “But it’s a golf day.”

My eyebrows shoot up in surprise at the dubious look on her face. “Golf? You've never played before?”

“Nope,” she sighs, looking completely overwhelmed by the idea of hitting balls around a course.

Our eyes meet, and I chuckle, puffing out my chest with pride. “I can show you a few things. My handicap's plus six.”

Her expression brightens immediately. “That's great news because I need a partner for the doubles golf tournament.”

“Me?” My mouth hangs open. Looking into her eyes, I see a woman blissfully unaware of the monster lurking beneath my normal-looking exterior.

She's all sweetness and light, but it'll ruin everything when she figures out what I am. Story of my life. I quickly think of a reason to decline while she pleads with puppy dog eyes.

“I don't care about winning or anything like that,” she says emphatically.

I sigh, shaking my head. “Celeste, I could give you a few tips but not be your teammate for the golf competition.”

Celeste crosses her arms. “Atlas, I paid for your golf club membership last week! Don't even think about telling me you've been playing eighteen holes in the dark with night vision goggles and light-up golf balls. We both know that’s ridiculous.”

“Okay, okay, I won’t deny it.” I raise my hands in surrender.

“Why then? Is it because you don’t want to spend time with me? Or because you don’t like being seen in public?”

Her words strike like lightning. “I don't particularly like drawing attention to myself.”

She rolls her eyes playfully. “Come on, Atlas, live a little! You can't avoid public events your whole life.”

It’s hard to let go of the habits I’ve used to survive for so long, but as I look into her eyes, it’s clear my fears are blocking me from forming deeper relationships.

“I'm not like other men.”

Amusement dances in her eyes. “No shit, Sherlock. Have you looked in the mirror lately?”

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