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“I need you to grab Emerson’s signature from her hiring paperwork. The forms need to be submitted to the council.” Dread heads for the door without a backward glance. “It’s a necessary protection, so I can legally slaughter any assholes who think they can claim Ember or touch a hair on Emerson’s head.” He growls low and menacing. “Thank you.”
I sigh heavily, because I guess this day isn’t over quite yet.
ChapterTwo
Aline
My hands shake as I grab Emerson’s paperwork from Dread’s desk. I’m not sure where the line is of how much magic I can use without being caught, and I have no interest in finding out.
A quick slide of my palm over the signature makes sparkly pink magic fill the air. It looks so innocuous, it’s hard to believe what I’m capable of. I pull my hand to the side, and a little focused intent does the job nicely.
I’m examining the repurposed signature when large hands cup my hips and the papers slip out of my grip. A familiar scent hits me, and I let out a breath of pure relief.
It’s not the hunters.
“Are you supposed to be in the boss’s office?” Atlas asks against the shell of my ear. His deep, growly voice sends a shiver down my spine.
I smirk over my shoulder at him. “What if I’m not?”
“Then, I’m pretty sure your behavior would require some type of punishment.” His warm breath tickles as it fans over my neck.
The way his calloused hands scratch over the silky material of my dress makes my nipples tighten. Atlas smells like pine and evergreen. It’s reminiscent of home, which is strangely comforting, considering I’ll never go back.
Atlas manages to pin both of my hands to Dread’s desk with one of his while the other runs over my hip to my ass.
I grin at him. “Do you want to get both of us fired?”
“The bosses are distracted with whatever went down tonight with Arsyn.” Atlas gives me a look that’s pure fire. “Meaning, not one of them is in the building.”
“Oh, hell,” I grumble, frowning. “That means I can’t leave.”
“Let’s see if we can’t find something to pass the time,” he murmurs, bending to nuzzle my cheek. His lips barely brush mine in a light tease of a kiss, and then his massive palm is landing on my hip. “You seem like you need a bit of a distraction.”
“Atlas...” I start, but I don’t know how to finish.
It’s complicated.
I want him in a way that’s difficult to explain, but letting him any closer would only set us up for heartbreak.
We’re stuck in this playful zone that’s one step above friendship and one below hooking up. He’s affectionate and continually makes an effort to look out for me, which I love, but I’m keeping a lot of important information from him. It doesn’t seem fair to let things progress when I’d be putting him at risk if the fae hunters track me down.
“You’re thinking too much again, sweet fae.” His hand lands on my ass several times in quick succession. Squeezing my eyes shut, I bite my lip to keep quiet while attempting to convince myself that lighthearted and flirtatious isn’t my type. And that I don’t love how he draws me out of my own head. Not that I’m successful. I don’t know how to fight the pull Atlas has over me. “How about one or two more?” Even though my eyes are still closed, I have no trouble detecting the smile in his voice.
I nod my agreement, whimpering when he lands a few more smacks. My head falls back against his chest as the shock of pain sizzles through my system before it quickly transforms into blissful pleasure. His woodsy scent is heavy in the air. My knees clench as I breathe him in.
Atlas chuckles, and a silly smile breaks across my face in response.
“Hey, boss lady,” Saber yells through Dread’s closed door, causing my eyes to pop open. “We’ve got a problem.”
The toe of my shoe bounces against the carpet as I have an actual fit. “This job sucks.” I carefully pull my hands out from under Atlas’s grip.
He laughs, low and throaty. “Come on. I’ll help you handle whatever it is, and we’ll get a couple hours of sleep on the couch in your office.”
He’s so tall, I have to crane my neck to look up at him, despite my height. He’s such a good male, and I dig my teeth into my lower lip to keep from admitting something ridiculous, like I don’t know what I would do without him.
I shake my head. I’m being unfair to him, and I know it.
“Boss?” Saber calls again.
