Everyone else has gone to celebrate their respective victories.
All except me.
I’m still double-checking manifests and making notes for the compliance team when the wind whips off the water and sends a shiver racing up my spine.
I glance up and realize the sun’s completely gone. It’s just me, the cranes, and a few dockhands heading toward the parking lot.
My heels click across the asphalt as I make my way to my car.
I’m exhausted, hungry, and absolutely done with men for the day.
Which is why, when a tall, broad-shouldered dockworker falls into step beside me, my patience is already hanging by a thread.
“Long day, sweetheart?” he drawls.
I don’t answer.
I just unlock my car and keep walking.
He laughs.
“Hey, I’m just being friendly. Don’t be like that.”
Still no answer. I’m not here to make friends.
But he doesn’t get the message.
He steps closer, invading my space, his breath hot and sour as he leans toward my ear.
“Oh, you need it bad, baby. Come take a walk on the wild side. Or am I too poor for you, princess?”
I stop dead.
Turn slowly.
And give him the kind of look that’s made grown men in this business fold like bad poker hands.
“You’re going to want to leave me alone,” I say evenly.
He grins. “What, you prefer pussy? Dick don’t do it for you?”
“Last warning, chief.”
But he doesn’t listen. Of course he doesn’t.
He takes another step toward me—and then he’s gone.
Before I can knee him in the groin. Or demand his ID so I can have his sorry ass fired.
And it happens so fast I almost miss it.
A blur of motion, a flash of dark fabric, and suddenly the guy’s spinning around like he’s been caught by a hurricane.
When he lands on his ass, I finally see who’s responsible.
Atlas.
His perfect composure is gone.
