Atlas of time

"A chill went up my spine. I froze, unsure what to do.
Taking a deep breath, I spun around, coming face to face with Atlas.

I glared up into his eyes, unwilling to give him the satisfaction of showing him fear.
He smirked.
"You are becoming quite a brave and bold person, Cecilia," he cooed, daring me to be the one to take a step back.

We stood only a breath distance apart.
My heart rate increased, and I felt my nerves starting to crack.

I swallowed. " I have always been brave," I answered, careful to keep my voice steady.

"But not always bold," he questioned, looking down at my lips as he leaned downwards.

I mirrored his actions, lifting my chin ever so slightly.
I freeze, taking a deep breath.
His intoxicating scent caused my breathing to hitch.

I take a step back in defeat.
I dropped my gaze down, studying my feet.
" What are you doing here, Atlas?"

"You know why I'm here. Where is the device?" He looked around the room.

"It's too much work for me to do on my own in such a short time, please, you must understand this isn't easy."

He pushed closer, closing the distance again. "But you're not alone, are you." He said, annoyance lacing his words.

"What are you talking about?"
He looped an arm through mine, leaning down with a mocking expression.
"You're safe with me" he said, imitating Nickolas's earlier words.

I step back again, my back coming to rest against the wall.
His face fell into a sardonic smile. "I forget, you still blindly trust that leach."
"Better than trusting a criminal who framed me," I retorted.

Cecilia is on the cusp of a major scientific breakthrough. But to find the missing part, she has to break into a secret military base.
Unfortunately, her only way in is to accept the help of the handsome yet extremely rude criminal Atlas.
But his motives are not as they appear. Can she really trust this man, and more importantly, can she deny the growing attraction between them.