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Chapter 9
Jasmine
Jasmine reached farther along the ceiling as she sanded the dried plaster back and forth. Her muscles ached, but she was almost done with this part. A bead of sweat trickled down her temple. She swiped her hand over her forehead, taking a moment to breathe. Upbeat music played softly in the background. The woman’s voice sang about keeping on no matter how hard life was in the moment. The story of her life. She took another step up the ladder. It wobbled under her feet. She balanced herself before extending even farther out, carefully resuming her sanding work.
“Jesus!” Atlas’s voice boomed.
She gasped. Tumbling forward, she squinted, bracing herself for the fall. The ladder crashed to the floor as two arms of iron caught her. She looked up into his grey concerned gaze. His heartbeat thumped wildly against her rib cage, matching her own. Adrenaline and lust mixed together in a cocktail, thrumming through her veins. His scent was heady, like a cool stream and man. He was so close. Her eyes flicked to his mouth.
“What the hell were you thinking?” he asked gruffly.
Anger burned in her chest, spreading out to her extremities. She pushed him away and stood. “Do you make a habit of sneaking up on people when they’re on ladders?”
His jaw ticced. “Do you make a habit of doing this when you’re all alone?”
Who else is going to do the work? It was all on her shoulders.
“I would have been fine if you hadn’t come in and scared me,” she snapped, putting her hands on her hips defiantly. Who did he think he was to show up here acting like he could tell her what to do? She had enough overprotective males in her life.
He shook his head, forearm and shoulder muscles flexing as if trying to restrain himself. But he took a step closer. He leaned in so his head was only inches from hers. “It was dangerous.”
Not as dangerous as you.
A cloud of anticipation formed around and between them. Her body still drummed with hazy desire, intoxicated from the lingering effects of being in his arms. Her knees wobbled. She was rattled to her core. The way his eyes darkened as he focused so intently on her made her want to forget everything and jump into those grey pools and get lost in them.
She lifted her chin, but her voice was laced with breath. “Your concern is noted.”
“Fuck.” His hand gripped the back of her neck as his lips crashed over hers. The kiss took her by surprise like a rogue wave, all-encompassing and upending. She gasped as his tongue traced the seam of her mouth, tasting and taking. His lips were soft, but the kiss was hungry and rough. Like lightning and thunder all rolled into one.
She ran into the storm headfirst. Thinking could come later because right now, she was feeling.
Frantic hands moved of their own accord in a dance inspired by erotic hunger. She lifted his T-shirt, revealing his defined abs, and dragged it over his head before pulling him closer. His touch glowed across her skin like a beacon of light. His arms tightened around her, picking her up as she wrapped her legs behind his back.
He walked them over to the edge of the room, pressing her against the wall. She bit down on his lip. He growled, sending a shock wave of lust shooting through her core. Her body burned with white-hot desire. His tongue slicked along hers. His lips hungrily devoured her as if this kiss was more important than his next breath. How long had it been since she’d felt this wanted? Never.
Bruising fingers dug into her thighs as he ground against her. His arousal pressed to her sex. More. Scraping her fingernails into his shoulders, she pulled him closer. She needed this. Needed him. Atlas’s groan was like an earthquake, shaking the atmosphere until it was unsteady and dangerous. He lowered her to her feet and spread his fingers through her hair, tugging it to the point between pleasure and pain. His possessive control was gasoline on the wildfire raging within her.
He lifted the bottom of her shirt, sliding his palms up her sensitive skin, searing her with his touch. She shuddered. Her flimsy bra did nothing to hide her stiff, aching nipples. As soon as his finger made contact with her breast, her inner muscles clenched. Wetness seeped into her panties. She whimpered.
The last time she’d had sex was in that bar bathroom four years ago with this very man. But it didn’t feel like this.
Her eyes flew open as she froze. No. Back then she promised she’d never again punish herself with a cheap fuck that would only make her feel used in the end. But was this different?
Atlas pulled his face away from her. Chest heaving. Eyes glazed. Mouth glossy from their kiss. “Are you okay?” His voice was like gravel.
She shook her head. Why did she have to be so fucked up? Why did she have to overanalyze everything?
Because Zoey deserves better.
Atlas dropped his hands, taking a step back from her. A triangle formed between his brows as he bent to pick up his shirt.
Why was she so surprised he’d stepped away so quickly?
Because no one else ever took no for an answer before.
Atlas was a good man. He was also Zoey’s father and he didn’t even know. That was the number-one reason she shouldn’t be doing this with him. Zoey would come first. Jasmine wouldn’t repeat her mother’s mistakes. And maybe Zoey could have both her parents in her life. But only if she ended whatever this was between her and Atlas until he knew the whole truth.
“Atlas.” How do I tell him she’s his when he doesn’t even remember me?
