Chapter 1
Atlas
It’s Saturday night and we’re relaxing in our usual spot. The VIP booth at Elixers is dark enough we won’t be bothered, but it gives us a full view of everyone else in the room. I won’t sit with my back to a room, EVER. It could just be me being paranoid, but I like to think it’s the fact I can never turn my hacker brain off.
Not everything my company is hired to hack into is exactly legal, but as long as the money keeps flowing in, I do what I’m best at without asking questions. It’s not like it can be traced back to me anyway, so I don’t really care.
Gavin is already looking for his next victim. Some chick he’ll sleep with and string along for a few weeks before ghosting her. It never fails. He shoots me a cocky wink, walking off towards two blondes standing by the bar. I chug what’s left of my whiskey and prepare to head home. Scanning my surroundings one last time before I leave, I stop as soonas I meet a pair of dark green eyes from across the room.
Those eyes are attached to a five-foot-three brunette whose hair tumbles past her shoulders in waves. I’ve never seen her in this club before and, while I didn’t particularly feel like dealing with people tonight, there’s something captivating about her.
Unlike other women in this bar wearing dresses that barely cover anything, she stands in the middle of the crowd wearing black jean shorts, fishnets, a crop top, and black converse. She carries herself like she owns everything she does without a care in the world.
Before I had time to plot out my next move, she was walking towards me. I swear the air changes temperature with each step she takes. I can’t help but follow her with my eyes. The way her hips sway as she walks, her eyes darkened with mischief.
When she stops in front of my booth, the temperature drops ten degrees. The tension between us is thick enough to cut with a knife.
The way she raises her brow as a smile twitches on her lips told me everything I needed to know. She’s looking for trouble, that much is obvious.
The question is, will I let her drag me into it?
She parts her lips and I brace myself for the cheesy line women always spew. But surprisingly, what comes out of those plump lips is the complete opposite.
“Is there something I can help you with, Mr. Business man? You seem tohave a problem keeping your eyes to yourself. Am I too under-dressed for you that I’m ruining your night? What’s the deal?”
To say I was shocked would be an understatement, but I couldn’t let her know that.
I motioned for the bartender to send over another whiskey. I was going to need a drink for this one.
“You’re mistaken, Darling. I didn’t notice you until you were standing in front of me, but since you’re already bothering me, you might as well have a seat and make it worth the disruption.”
She huffs out a breath but scoots into the booth opposite of me anyways. A wicked smirk reaches her lips as soon as my drink hits the table. Her eyes flick to my drink twice before she locks eyes with me again. This is about to take an interesting turn, I can already tell.
“Whiskey? May I try it?”
I slide the glass towards her without saying a word and watch as she takes a sip. She doesn’t make the slightest face as she swallows it. A woman who can drink whiskey and she drank it like it was water. That more than got my attention.
She wasn’t like anyone I’ve ever met before and that irritated me, for the simple reason that I didn’t know her name yet.
Well, fuck. This might become a problem.
She, in fact, seemed to have some kind of effect on me and I didn’t likeit one bit.
“It’s good… Just good, sadly. Though, I know what would make it taste better, but I’m not sure if you’re up for it.”
“Try me.”
With my whiskey glass still in her hand, she quickly rounds the booth to stand next to me. I angle my body towards her as she reaches for my chin with her free hand. She puts one foot on the bench behind me, and my hand automatically wraps around her upper thigh to steady her.
What kind of game is she playing and why am I enjoying it so much?
She tips my chin up until I’m staring back at her. There’s that smirk again.
What the fuck is she about to do?
“Open your mouth.”
She taps her index finger against my lips until I comply. I thought she was going to pour the whiskey into my mouth, but no, that would’ve been too easy.
