The rain began to subside, but Atlas kisses didn't. It was the taste of her lips, coupled with the intent of the kiss.
His whole life, his mother had protected him. He had bodyguards who would squash anyone regardless of size that dared to cross him.
Even with Faiza, she hadn't needed much protection.
Aveline was different. Despite the strength she tried her hardest to project, there was something broken inside of her. She was fragile and needy.
Everything about her made Atlas want to protect her, just like everyone in his life protected him.
"Stop now," the sane voice in his head warned.
Nothing good could ever come out of playing savior. He would know, due to how codependent his relationship with his mother had turned out.
However, he felt Aveline's body completely surrender to him. As if she was telling him that she needed him to protect her.
"Ave-line," he breathed out with difficulty, as they slowed down to catch their breaths.
"It's gone," she said, staring him deep in his eyes.
"It is," he replied, still catching his breath.
In a blink, her eyes closed. He couldn't believe she had fallen asleep just like that, until he heard her peaceful breath.
His face was stretching into a smile when he caught himself just in time. Breathing out loud, he rolled to his side of the bed.
He grabbed the duvet, and covered Aveline with it. His hands didn't linger, not even a bit, as he tossed his gaze away from her.
Dropping his head to his hands, he exhaled again.
"What the fuck was that, Atlas," he chided himself through muffled whispers.
It was the second time he had not been able to control himself in her presence. There wasn't supposed to be even a first time.
"Fuck!" He cursed again, as his mind went to his rules.
The hypocrisy overwhelmed him. If she had broken the rule just the way he had, he would have punished her for it.
"You're in control, Atlas. Be in control," the part of him that was rational, spoke to his soul.
He grabbed those words, and embedded them deep in his heart, so he would never forget it.
"This is never happening again," he told himself, as he laid down to sleep.
Aveline opened her eyes the next morning, and the first scent that hit her nose was the fragrance she had long aligned with the rich-bergamot
A yawn escaped her throat as she sat up, and looked around.
I'm in the Sinclair mansion. I'm marrying Atlas Sinclair. He'll clear all my debts and make me rich.
After running through all of what her current life situation was about, she began trying to remember last night.
Her eyes widened, and she cracked a smile when she remembered the phone.
Jumping out of the bed, she ran to the dressing table. She was about to grab the shiny new device waiting for her, when her eyes caught her reflection on the large mirror.
"Oh no!" She blurted, touching her face all-over.
Her hair was scattered all over the place, as if she had wrestled with the devil. Her eyes, a little swollen..
"Did I cry?" She questioned herself, as her wandering fingers moved to her lips that were equally swollen.
Squinting, she tried to remember more from last night. The last memory she could was—
"Oh no!" She covered her mouth, as she remembered seeing Atlas naked.
Her face turned pink, and all-over again, she fought to keep that image away from her head.
"Don't be naughty, Aveline. It's a new day. You have to focus. There are too many battles to fight," she warned, pointing at her reflection in the mirror.
"Look at your hair!" She heard, and without a second thought, fled into the bathroom.
Aveline had just finished putting her hair back in place, and into her signature ponytail, when she heard a knock on the door that startled her.
Before she could form a response, the door pushed open.
"Rise and shine, sister in-law!" Freya chirped at the top of her voice as she entered first.
Riley was right behind her, much more composed than her cousin.
"Oh my—" Freya gasped, as she stopped in front of Aveline. "You look so good, Ave! How does your skin look so healthy?"
Aveline quickly glanced into the mirror, wondering who she was talking about.
"Yes you," Riley laughed, stepping forward. "Is it just me, or does it feel like you don't believe you're gorgeous?" She spun the chair Aveline was sitting on around, and stretched a hand to her. "Come, we're going for breakfast."
Panic instantly shot through Aveline's face, causing the cousins to exchange quick glances.
"Don't be scared, Ave. It's just us younglings having breakfast today. The elders are doing whatever, I don't know." Freya shrugged.
Aveline relaxed. "Forgive my manners. Good morning," she finally spoke.
Freya clapped, and hopped a little, unable to contain her excitement. "Now that's more like it, babes. We have a lot to do today, in preparation for your wedding. So let's get up right now, okay?"
"Wh-at - Wh-at are we doing?" Aveline asked, amidst being hurled to her feet by Riley.
"You'll see. Let's just go for breakfast first," Freya said, watching Riley proudly as she held Aveline's hands.
"Okay," she replied defeatedly. "Can I at least grab my phone?"
Freya followed the direction of Aveline's eyes, and smiled. "You do have a phone. I won!" She cheered.
"You won?" Aveline looked from Freya to Riley.
They didn't say anything for a few seconds, before Riley suddenly sighed. "Ugh, fine! You were acting strange so I thought you didn't have a phone. Maybe you're one of those conspiracy theorists that refuse to add to the carbon emission problem of the world, you know?" She explained.
Aveline, shocked at first, stared blankly. And then in a twinkle, she burst out laughing.
The girls watched her laugh, admiring the way her entire body lit up as she did.
"Oh my God!" She held her stomach as she laughed. "I'm so sorry, but that's just so funny."
Riley smiled. "It's cool. I'm funny like that. Now we know you have a phone, and Freya has won a hundred thousand dollars from that awful bet, we can now create the group chat."
"A hundred thousand dollars?!" Aveline screamed in her mind.
Her laughter instantly subsided. "Sure, the group chat," she said, with all seriousness to mask her shock at how much money they could just casually bet on.
"I'll just call my line with your phone, so I can get your number. Is that okay?" Freya asked, already dialing even before Aveline answered.
"Sure." Aveline nodded her head.
"Okay, you come with me, let's walk ahead whilst she dials." Riley dragged her away before she could protest.
She didn't want to leave her new phone with anyone, yet for the sake of the act, she had to.
A couple of minutes later, they walked into the dining area to meet Theo and Atlas already seated.
Atlas, who was in deep conversation with Theo, paused the second he perceived Aveline's scent.
He looked up, at the same time Aveline took a seat. Their eyes immediately locked.
Everyone else watched the couple, curious to catch even a glimpse of their intimate relationship.
However, nothing happened. Atlas, who had promised himself to not let feelings of pity muddle his mind, cleared his throat.
He opened his mouth to speak, when the door pushed open.
Arabian feminine fragrance suddenly filled the air, as Faiza in the company of another girl, catwalked into the room.
The girl's eyes looked around, and then stopped directly on Aveline.
She smiled. "Good morning fam," she said, with an air of someone that was out for mischief.