CHAPTER EIGHT

MOLLY

––––––––

"Tada!" Leilani says, as Jacob places the turkey on the table. "My first Thanksgiving turkey. Turkeys."

Blake carries the second one out.

"Wow," Bella says, clapping. "That is impressive."

"Amazing." Harper joins in the clapping. "We do not have turkeys this size in New Zealand."

"You don't live there anymore." Daniel, her husband grumbles.

"Because I fell in love with you and you kidnapped me."

Daniel snorts and I watch as Harper kisses him on the cheek.

Another loved up couple.

All the employees took yesterday and today off, and Leilani has spent hours in the main kitchen cooking.

I'm as impressed as everyone else. And I love that they are so family orientated that they wanted to celebrate again together.

"I'm exhausted." Leilani laughs and collapses dramatically into her chair.

"Good job, sweetheart," Jacob says, kissing her forehead. "While I carve, everyone dig in."

I glance down the table at Atlas who is messaging on his phone.

It's not the first time I've seen him distracted and figure he must have a girlfriend. I know guys like him. He probably has girls all over the place.

And thinks he's going to get frisky with the stupid bridesmaid.

Nope.

I will never be naive again.

Anyway he thinks I'm with Greg so that's helpful.

Still, his offer to make me a logo last night was sweet. If not strange. I mean he's the senior designer of WME. That's a really big deal.

And a Montgomery.

All day he's been polite but mostly kept his distance, almost ignoring me. I should be relieved, but I can't stop watching him.

He's just so damn handsome.

From his slightly messy brown hair to his barely there five o'clock shadow and deep blue eyes. And how unreasonable is it for a man to have such long luscious dark lashes.

I might be a little obsessed with his muscular biceps which seem to struggle with every sweater and shirt he wears—goddamn it's hot as hell—but it's his full soft lips I keep finding my eyes hovering over.

I know what they feel like.

On multiple parts of my body.

And I hate that my legs keep clenching just thinking about it. To be honest, my panties have been wet all day.

I will never forget the way his mouth took mine with absolute dominance and desire, taking my breath away.

The more space he gives me, the more I want him.

This is definitely a ploy.

Opposite me, Atlas reaches for a plate, taking the serving spoons, and I can't stop staring at the ropey muscles of his forearms. The watch hanging on his arm is expensive and I don't need to see the brand to know it cost an insane amount.

Wealth is dripping from all of them, despite being down to earth and making me feel welcome.

I wonder how Payton feels about all of this.

I know she's marrying Knox, but she was in major debt because of her student loan. Has he paid it off?

It's none of my business but I'm curious.

How does it work when you marry a billionaire?

I will never know.

When he places the roasted yams back on the table, Atlas lifts his gaze to meet mine. An electrical charge sparks between us, and I snap my mouth closed to silence my gasp.

We simply glower at one another with undisguised lust.

Damn it.

Damn him.

Damn this attraction.

That wasn't supposed to happen.

I was supposed to ignore him most of the weekend. Not desire him all over again.

I shouldn't have let that happen.

Been there, done that.

Never again.

"Happy Thanksgiving, everyone," Knox says, lifting his glass. "Again."

––––––––

LATER IN THE afternoon more of the extended Dufort family arrived from Philly. Logan, Aidan, Amelia, and their spouses.

My phone messages and I smile down at the text from Mom. She's still in England and wishing us a happy Thanksgiving.

I quick reply.

Mom, you missed it by a whole day.

Why can't I get it right? Well, Merry Christmas.

I laugh out loud, then apologize, giggling quietly to myself.

I've had too much wine again today and feel like I need a major detox. It won't happen until next week, that's for sure. But I can get a good night's sleep.

I stretch out my arms as I stand and yawn.

"I'm going to head to bed. Jetlag and too many tequilas at Payton's bachelorette party plus turkey equals bed."

"I miss wine but not hangovers," Payton says.

"Sleep well. I'm glad everyone enjoyed the turkey," Leilani says. "Next year it's your turn, Bella."

"Um, is that a good idea?" Blake asks and gets a slap from Bella. "What? I just think—"

"Brother, it's best not to think. Has marriage not taught you anything?" Jacob laughs.

"Both of you need to zip your lips." Leilani shakes her head and the two men grin at one another.

"So this is what I have to look forward to?" Knox wraps an arm around Payton, and I feel a pang of envy.

I was engaged to be married a few years ago. Or so I thought. I was one of those people sitting with their partners joking. A half of a whole.

But it was all a lie.

I was the joke.

Now, I'm spending the weekend with my best friend's new family feeling awkward because her brother-in-law, who performed oral on me, still sends thrills of excitement through my body.

With one sizzling glance.

The same man who apologized for touching me.

Great.

What the hell am I doing with my life?

Maybe Greg...

I lift my glass of water and drain it, stopping that train of thought. Glancing around the room, I say goodnight. "See you in the morning."

The weight of Atlas watching me burns the surface of my skin and I fight it.

But fail.

His dark gaze lifts the hair on my arms and sends a chill of excitement through my body.

I shiver and as a few others start to say their goodnights I walk as quickly as I can, while still appearing normal, out of the room.

Then I climb the beautiful white staircase.

"Far out," I whisper as I start to shut the bedroom door behind me.

A hand stops it.

"Molly, wait."

When I pull it open, Atlas is standing there with his hand on the doorjamb and a sultry smile on his face.

Oh hell no.

My body reacts, my nipples hardening and my core throbbing with need.

How can I resist this gorgeous man who I know can pleasure me?

But I do.

"No," I say and push the door shut.

––––––––

ATLAS

––––––––

"Just give me five minutes," I tell Molly, stopping the door from shutting in my face a second time.

I know I'm cornering her, but I want to clear the air.

Lies. You want her.

She holds the door open and lifts her brows in question.

"Five minutes," I repeat.

"I guess that's all it took last time," she says and moves aside.

Ouch.

This girl is unforgiving.

Does she not understand that I stopped because she was trashed. Goddamn her.

I close the door behind me and follow her inside. The room, like mine, has a king size bed with blue and white coverings, a sofa and armchair, dressing table and ensuite bathroom off it. There's a balcony which looks across the yard and beyond to the ocean.

This place is incredible.

I love my penthouse, but there's something about this place that reminds me of my family home. One day I see myself living in a house like this. Married. Kids running around.

The ocean.

But it's the woman standing in the middle of the room, leaning her ass on the back of the armchair and crossing her arms that has my attention right now.

She's so beautiful.

Even with her scowl.

Her hair is up in a messy bun and she's wearing a long sleeved blue wool dress. It's not expensive but the style suits her body shape, and the fabric is good quality.

I don't say anything as I know how intimidating my knowledge can be to women. They either want me to dress them or hate me mentioning anything.

I sense Molly would be the latter, so I zip my lips.

"What do you want, Atlas? If it's to remind me that you shouldn't have touched me at your birthday I heard you the first time."

Wow, great memory.

"I shouldn't have," I reply, still confused why that was an insult.

She shakes her head, and glances away angrily.

Goddamn her. I don't know how to fix this.

But I am determined to.

"Molly." I take a step closer, and she stiffens. "You were drunk and stoned. I didn't want to take advantage of you."

"Yet you did, and then regretted it." She meets my eyes.

I rub my jaw.

I don't understand and have a feeling no matter what I say it'll be the wrong thing.

So I go for honesty.

It's either going to get me kicked out or a slap on the face.

But here goes.

"I don't regret it. I know I should, but I don't." I hold her gaze firmly and wait for her to call me an asshole.

She doesn't.

If anything, she softens.

Thank god.

So I keep going, because I'm a guy and when I see an opening with a beautiful woman I'm damn well taking it.

"I thought being a gentleman—at least part of the night—was the right thing to do. But the truth is, Molly, I regret not fucking you. Not just once, but twice. Hell, three times."

Molly's eyes dilute and I take another step closer.

Her arms drop away, and I use the opportunity to move in farther.

"I haven't fucked another woman since that night and I'm not going to lie, if I get the chance to have you, I want it."

"I—"

I grip her chin. "Are you in love with this Greg?"

Because the way I see it, all is fair in love and war. He hasn't put a ring on it, so she is still fair game.

Not that I intend to go that far.

But damn the chemistry between us is off the charts. The need to sink my cock inside this gorgeous woman is overwhelming.

Keeping my hands off her is becoming impossible.

I know she wants me; her eyes are diluted as hell and lust is pouring off her. I would bet my entire inheritance that her panties are soaked.

If she gives me a sign, I'm taking it.

Sorry Greg.

I'm not.

"Greg is—"

"Not here. I am." I press.

Molly licks her lips, and my eyes follow the movement, then flick up to hers as I wait for a sign.

Her mouth parts so I take my chance.

Sliding my hand through her hair, I press my body against hers, breathing her in as I lower my mouth. Molly's arms wrap around my neck, and she tiptoes up to meet me in an automatic and sexy as hell reaction.

"Just to be clear, I'm not stopping tonight," I rasp.

"Just to be clear, we're only doing this once," she whispers back. "Now fuck me, Atlas Montgomery."

See, I am a gentleman.

The lady asks and I deliver.