Page 45 of Broken Trust

She stood and enveloped him in her arms. “I want us to get back to where we once were, Atlas. I will never allow my mother or gossiping ninnies to pollute my head again.”

“I really hope not because I miss your hugs.” He curled his arms around her. “I also want you to really like Kellen. His childhood was beyond messed up, and his only family is Colt.” He looked her in the eyes. “I want to share our family with them.”

“I’m not fully there as far as seeing you kiss a guy, but I promise to work on that.”

Another work in progress, but he would take it.

“If you don’t, I’ll just unleash Dad on you again so you’ll remember this moment.” Atlas caught a glimpse of movement and pivoted to see his sister standing in the doorway, her arms folded across her chest and a large smile spread across her face.

“I’ll remind you of this moment, too.” Jennifer crossed the room and threw her arms around both of them. “Please tell me we’re a family again.”

“As long as she stops telling me how our dad turns her on,” Atlas replied.

“Gross,” Jennifer said, though she was still hugging them.

“I’m a woman with needs.” A devilish look filled her gray eyes. “I didn’t stop desiring your father when I gave birth to two children. If anything, he couldn’t keep his hands off me after Atlas was born.”

Jennifer grabbed Atlas’s arm and pulled him away. “We need to escape before she tries to give us details. I don’t need those images in my head on my wedding night, and you sure as hell don’t need them later with Kellen.”

Atlas laughed as she dragged him toward the living room. He pulled his hand away when he spotted Kellen and Colt sitting on the couch. His mate stood, a warm smile in his eyes, clearly having overheard their conversation in the kitchen.

“Patch things up with your mom?” his dad asked from his recliner.

“Working on it.” As if pulled by an invisible force, Atlas closed the distance and gazed into the emerald pools of his mate’s eyes, lost in their depth and beauty.

“Love is in the air,” Jennifer sang as she walked away.

Kellen gave a low growl as he engulfed Atlas in his strong arms. “Don’t ever make me hide how I feel about you again.”

“Never.” Atlas took a deep breath, inhaling Kellen’s familiar scent, grounding himself after such an emotionally charged evening.

A throat cleared behind them, causing him to turn in Kellen’s warm embrace. His mate pulled Atlas back against his chest as he met his mother’s gaze.

“I just wanted to apologize to Kellen and Colt for my rude behavior this evening. Both of you are welcome any time in our home.”

His dad stood and walked across the room, wrapping his arms around his wife and saying something quietly in her ear.

“You made an amazing dinner,” Colt said to her. “Are there any leftovers I can take home? There should be since no one really ate.”

Kellen smacked his brother’s arm.

“What?” Colt snarled. “There’s no use letting that food go to waste when I’ll gladly demolish it.”

Atlas was going to have a talk with Kellen and Colt about their animalistic growling and snarling around the women. Were they trying to give away the fact that they were shifters?

“I’m sure you and I can put together some hearty leftovers, Colt.” She patted his arm. “Let’s see what’s left of my wonderful dinner. I’m famished.”

“Don’t you dare eat all the food.” His dad hurried behind them. “I haven’t had seconds!”

Baby steps. It might take a while before his mom was comfortable with seeing her son show affection toward another guy, but if she was willing to try, then so was he.

“What did my dad say to my mom?” Atlas asked Kellen.

“One, that’s their business, nosy britches.” He nuzzled Atlas’s neck. “Two, even if I was inclined to tell you, you’d be scarred for life.”

Atlas stuck his fingers in his ears. “Forget I asked.”

Chapter Thirteen

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