Stealing the Heart of Mr. Steele

Chapter 116 [Cordelia]

We fell asleep in each other's arms only to wake up a few hours later, sore, hungry, and dirty. We both had long days before going to bed and now that we both have made a thorough mess of the bed and one another.

Atlas laughs when I bring up the point that his bed is now far too messy to sleep in. "I know it might sound crazy,

but I do know how to make a bed."

When we are done in the shower, he helps me into one of his silk pajama shirts. It is several sizes too big, fitting me more like a dress, but considering I have nothing else to sleep in, and it smells like his soap, I do not mind. As I lean against the wall, my body tired, I watch as he remakes his bed with fresh sheets, fluffing the pillows to make me a mini tower of comfort next to him.

Atlas holds out his hand to invite me to sleep with him, and I feel my heart flutter with nerves. Even though moments before we were just washing one another after making love, I feel shy at the prospect of sleeping next to him. Atlas has always preferred his privacy. And now here he is, not just asking me to stay, but making a place for me next to him.

In many ways, sharing this bed, and sleeping together intentionally, feels far more intimate than just having sex. This is not just a physical manifestation of pent-up attraction-this is about finding a

connection.

As he spoons my back, holding onto both Jasper nestled away within me, and myself, this feels like family.

As he places his face in the crook of my neck, I sigh, falling asleep feeling safe and loved.

The banging on the outside shatters this peace. Groaning, I cover my head with a pillow and pray that the disruption goes away.

It doesn't. The interloper continues to bang.

I'm not sure how long we were asleep. The sun is now shining through the windows, but it couldn't have been more than a couple of hours because my body has a heavy feeling signaling the need for more rest.

"Who the hell is it this early," Atlas groans as he rolls away from me, leaving a warm spot where he was

once curled next to me.Còntens bel0ngs to Nô(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

"ATLAS!!!" the familiar female voice screams. "APRIL!!! OPEN THE DOOR!!!"

You've got to be kidding me. Not now. Not her.

Atlas walks over to the window to peer outside and confirms what we both already know.

Angelica is standing on the porch wailing and pounding, Atlas lives on a fairly large estate, but that doesn't mean she won't wake up the neighbors.

Since Atlas had given me his pajama top to sleep in, I am gifted with the view of his beautifully formed chest and I want nothing more than to pull him back into bed and place my mouth on every surface. I grow wet at the thought, even with my obnoxious sister pounding on the door down below. "Do you think she'll go away if we pretend to be gone?" ask playfully, only half serious, "I mean she can't know that..."

"I know you're in there, Atlas! I can see your car parked out front!"

Oh.

Atlas bends down to kiss my pouting lips. Even this gentle touch is enough to make my core tighten with need. It seems that just a little taste is not enough, now that I've had all of him.

"Hurry back," I pull him down to me again for another quick kiss, "Or I might get jealous."

"There's nothing to be jealous of, dear heart," he kisses me one more time. I sit up and try to drag him back to bed, not caring about the continuous knocking on the front door, and he steps backward out of my reach.

His tone is scolding but his eyes are full of mirth. "You stay there, naughty girl," he laughs. "I'll deal with you," he gives my nipple a playful pinch through the silk pajamas and I moan in delight, "When I come back from dealing with our guest."

Groaning in disappointment, I roll over and steal all the blankets, wrapping myself in his scent, pretending the blankets are his arms.

And almost fall asleep again, until I hear the crying sound of her broken heart. 1

VictoryAnne Vice

Author

What is Angelica's game now?