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Chapter 6
Atlas
Atlas was in the zone—the place where sound around him muted and his other senses heightened. He only knew the feel of the pasta dough stretching underneath his fingertips, the scent of the crab mixed with ricotta and fresh herbs he’d expertly chopped. The white flour was bright against his tan skin as he kneaded it into the dough.
Cooking was the one thing he still did for him—when he had the opportunity. He’d never actually cooked for anyone else besides his parents’ chef who’d taught him. So why did he feel comfortable enough to share this with Jasmine?
Maybe because she was still practically a stranger. And this gave him the opportunity to get closer to her. He needed to find out how he could buy this inn. Focusing on the task at hand also got his mind off the fact that Jasmine was upstairs right now, naked in the shower. His cock hardened, pressing against the edge of the dining table where he worked. Atlas shook his head, trying to rid himself of the intrusive thoughts—flashes of that dark hair slick against her skin, dripping fat water droplets down two perfect handfuls of breasts. Would her nipples be rosy? Or maybe light brown?
“Who the hell are you?” an authoritative voice boomed from behind him.
Atlas swiveled around. A tall man in a tan police uniform stood in the doorway. His sharp blue eyes pointed directly at Atlas.
“I’m a guest,” Atlas explained.
“Where’s Mommy?” A little voice drew his gaze down. A few pieces of her jet-black hair had fallen over her almond-shaped eyes. She looked just like a miniature version of the woman upstairs. But that grey color in her gaze—that was like looking in a mirror. He sucked in a breath. What a coincidence.
“Hey, guys.” Jasmine’s sweet voice smoothed over his skin like silk.
She came around the corner as the little girl ran towards her. Jasmine picked her up and kissed her before hugging her tight. The man still loomed in the doorway, eyes flicking between Atlas and Jasmine.
Jasmine was a mother. How had he not known that? Was this the baby’s father? Jasmine’s boyfriend? That burning sensation boiled in his stomach once again. Why should he care if Jasmine wasn’t single?
The little girl slid down from her mother’s arms as Jasmine asked, “How was your day at school?”
“So fun, Mommy! Then we got ice cream with sprinkles!” she shouted excitedly.
Jasmine smiled, looking up to the guy, appreciation and, fuck, was that love reflected in those green eyes? He clenched his jaw hard.
“Thank you for picking her up, Bently,” Jasmine said.
Bently pulled her into a hug, narrowing his eyes at Atlas as he replied, “You know I’m more than happy to help.”
Every muscle in Atlas’s body tensed. He didn’t like the look of her in another man’s arms.
Jasmine pulled away, nodding.
“Who’s this?” Bently asked Jasmine, as if Atlas hadn’t already told him.
Jasmine’s gaze flicked to him before she blinked and looked down. Her chin lifted as she spoke. “He’s a guest. Bently, this is Atlas. He’s staying with us for a couple weeks.”
Bently gave him another hard look before he nodded.
Atlas had barely returned the gesture when Bently said, “Link called me. Said this car isn’t worth fixin’ again. Why don’t you let me—”
“Let’s step outside.” Jasmine pulled her daughter’s hand and walked out the back screen door.
Atlas kept his gaze fixed on Jasmine as she led Bently down the stairs. He wiped his hands on a dish towel and opened the cupboards closest to the back door, deciding now was a good time to search for a pasta roller or rolling pin as close to the trio as possible.
“I think it’s time you get a new car. That junker isn’t safe anymore. You and Zoey need something more reliable,” Bently said as Zoey walked past them with a bucket and shovel she’d procured from a toy bin in one corner, then got to work digging in the sand.
“I can’t afford a car payment right now. I can make do for a while longer.” Jasmine’s voice wavered on the last part.
He should feel happy to know she was desperate for money; it meant she’d be more likely to take his deal. But for some reason, seeing her like this made his stomach turn to stone and his chest tighten.
“And what about him? You don’t think I’m blind, do you?” Bently said.
Seemed like Bently was jealous and possessive. Maybe he wasn’t with her but wanted to be?
