Sin and Sinner

53

~Darlina's POV~

I woke up early the next morning to get ready for work, stumbling my way into my bathroom as I rubbed at my tired eyes. Of course, Atlas was already gone so I knew he was likely getting ready by now as well.

After I took a quick shower I did my usual makeup, tying my hair up in a ponytail with a few strands left down to frame my face. I pulled on an outfit and spritzed myself with perfume before exiting my room, not surprised to find Atlas waiting in the living room, his large frame leaned against the back of the couch with his hands shoved in the pockets of his pants.

"Good morning." I greeted him brightly, a smile forming on my lips as I looked up at him. He just grunted and stood straight, running a hand through his hair. "Morning, smalls." He mumbled. It was strange that, despite how early he always woke up, Atlas was definitely not a morning person whatsoever.

"Want to stop to get coffee on the way to Jac's?" I asked him as we exited the apartment together, sparing him a glance while I locked the front door. He just shrugged again. "I'm not a big coffee guy, honestly, but we can stop for some." He responded with little interest in the actual coffee. It sounded more like he wanted to stop for coffee just because I wanted some. So we did, and I curiously eyed the drink that he had ordered as we exited the drive through with our drinks a little bit later.

"What is that?" I asked, taking another glance at the beverage as I sipped on my coffee while turning back onto the street again. "A banana and pomegranate smoothie. I used to drink them all the time." He responded, taking a sip from the straw sticking out of the cup.

"Here, try it." He said as he saw me looking at it, holding out the drink for me. I leaned over, keeping my gaze on the road as I opened my mouth and he chuckled, sticking the cup close enough for me to reach the straw. When the taste hit my tongue, I was happily surprised by the sweet, fruity taste and hummed in delight as I pulled away. "It's good." I stated, glancing his way. "Though I think I still prefer coffee in the morning."

He snorted. "Coffee just tastes like dirty water." He muttered, causing me to raise a brow. "Maybe if you just drink it black." I argued. The look on his face told me he didn't agree.

"You've drank coffee before, though." I pointed out, a frown on my lips as I glanced his way. He just smiled, running a hand through his hair. "I only drank it that time because I was fuckin' tired. Usually I never drink it." He responded defensively.

I pulled into the parking lot of Jac's repair shop and he looked out the window before he sighed, turning back towards me. A smile tugged up on my lips at the look on his face. "You don't look very thrilled about having to go in there." I said playfully, letting out a snicker when he scowled slightly. "Some of the guys are douches. I can't wait until Saturday gets here so I'll have the weekend off." He grumbled, causing me to smile up at him sympathetically. "Are they giving you a hard time or something?" I asked, somewhat worried despite the fact I knew he could definitely handle himself.

Atlas snorted as if he found my question genuinely amusing, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Fuck no. They're douches, sure, but also pussies." He answered with a chuckle, leaning his elbow against the console between our seats. "Most they got the balls to do is look at me like I'm some kinda zoo animal."

Still, I frowned at that, not liking the idea that they were treating him that way. "That's rude." I huffed, crossing my arms over my chest as I stared up at them. "Are any of your co-workers nice to you?" I asked hopefully, furrowing my eyebrows. It would really suck if he worked in a place where everyone was rude or judgmental toward him, especially after all he had gone through just to get this job.

"Yeah, a couple. A lot of them are pretty chill or indifferent, but some I get along with well enough." He shrugged, his lips twitching at the reaction I had given. "Worried about me, smalls?" He teased, causing my cheeks to warm. I pursed my lips into a pout. "Maybe." I mumbled. "I just don't want you to be miserable or upset while working here." I admitted, shyly looking away from him.

He went quiet at that, a stunned silence filling the air as he just stared at me. It made me a little antsy, causing me to fidget. "Why are you looking at me like that?" I asked quietly, flicking my gaze up to his again.

"Um," He cleared his throat and rubbed the back of his neck as if he was embarrassed. "Nothing. Nobody has ever really said anything like that to me before, I guess." He muttered. "Caught me off guard is all."

I felt a frown form on my face as I looked up at him, finding myself a little bit sad at that. "Nobody?" I repeated, furrowing my brows. He hummed softly and nodded his head. "Nobody." He affirmed. His eyes found mine again and I brushed my fingers across his before interlocking them, my smaller hand grasping to his much larger one. "I'm sorry." I said softly, causing his lips to tug up ever so slightly. "You have a habit of saying that to things that aren't your fault." He pointed out with a soft chuckle.

Embarrassed because I knew he was right, I huffed. "Shut up." I muttered, staring at our interlocked hands. "Shouldn't you get inside soon?" I asked, glancing out the window behind him. He just shrugged his shoulders. "It can wait for a little longer. It'll be fine." He stated, not sounding as though he cared very much.

A giggle left me. "You get off at six PM tonight, right?" I asked, cocking my head to the side curiously. "Mhm. Six o'clock." He said. My shift was scheduled to end at five forty five PM, so I'd definitely be here before he got off. "Okay." I whispered, leaning up to brush my lips over his. "I'll be here before you even end your shift." I added.

"Hm? You promise?" He asked in a murmur, nipping at my bottom lip playfully as I gave a subtle nod of my head. "Promise."

He pressed his lips against mine in a deep kiss and gripped the back of my neck, holding me in place as his lips moved against mine. I flushed but eagerly kissed him back, not about to miss this opportunity. After a moment, however, he pulled away and brushed a strand of my hair behind my ear. "I've gotta go." He told me reluctantly, to which I nodded in understanding.

"I know." I whispered, quickly kissing his cheek before he got out of my car. He slammed the car door and I waited until he was inside the garage before I drove off, knowing I'd be late to work if I didn't leave now.