Stealing the Heart of Mr. Steele

[Cordelia]

Propped up on pillows covered in silk, I try to remain still and calm as Atlas lays his head on my belly for about the hundredth time today. When he isn't feeding me, kissing me, or making love, he likes to have conversations with our son.

"You are making your mama dizzy with all that moving, little guy," he kisses a spot where our baby's foot is pressed up against the skin hard enough to show a little dent. Usually, it's an elbow to the bladder when the little guy moves, but when Atlas speaks to him, he floats to his father's voice.

"I think he hears you," I play with Atlas' hair, which I had never realized was curly until I got him alone without all of his hair care products. Without his mousse and pomade putting every hair in its place, he has a beautiful mound of softly curling blonde hair.

"Do you think he'll have your curls," I ask casually as my fingers trace the outlines of his hair. "I know he'll have your chin. All you Steele boys have that strong chin and I think he's already tried to hit me with his."

Atlas chuckles. "You need to be nicer to your mama, Jasper," he scolds. "She's working very hard to grow you."

"I'm serious," I continue to pet him, loving how his silken hair moves through my fingertips. "Do you think he'll look like me at all?"

"Of course he will," Atlas looks up with surprise. "Children are a blend of both their parents. Why would you wonder that?"Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

"It's just," I sigh. "have you seen my family? I know red hair is rare, but nobody in my family looks even a little bit like me," I point to my face as he frowns. "I don't mean Angelica, I mean my mom and dad too. People often comment about it. The kids at our prep school used to tease me and say my mom must have had an affair. I can understand why--my family are all tall blue-eyed blonds with perfect California tans, but look at me!"

"You're exquisite," he kisses me just above my belly and below my breasts. "Do you need me to prove to you again how beautiful you are?" he traces the outer edges of my breasts teasing me. We stopped trying to wear real clothes about two days ago when we realized we had no intention of leaving this room any time soon.

"I love it when you prove it to me," I smile. "But..." I continue just before his mouth starts to move up to my breasts, "It's just, I'm a bit sad. I would hate it if little Jasper grew up thinking I wasn't his real mom because he couldn't see me in him. I could never find either one of my parents in my face--and I'm not adopted. I know. I've seen my birth. We have it on VHS and they used to play it every year on my birthday,'

Atlas tries to hide his look of horror, but I already saw it. Laughing, I throw a pillow at him.

"Our baby will look like you and me," he says in absolute confidence. "Because he will be beautiful and you are already beautiful. I hope he doesn't curse me for the chin," he laughs rubbing the three days of stubble. Picking up another pillow I throw it at him.

Growling in mock anger, he pounces,

shaking the bed as he promises to punish me for being a bad girl. Kissing me, his hands play along the side of my thighs as he finds my opening, and... the phone rings.

"I thought you put that on silent," I groan as the tip of him rests near the edges of me, making me wet and needy.

His head shaps up. "I did. It's

programmed to ring only if it is an emergency. The dialer has to know the emergency code. Only a few people have it."

Climbing over me to grab his phone, he sees that it's his brother. "Clark," Atlas answers. "What is it, I'm extremely busy and..."

Atlas goes completely silent as his body becomes still slowly, taking in whatever information he is hearing from Clark through the phone.

"Which hospital," Atlas asks.

Hospital. Who is hurt?

"Yes, she's right here. Of course. No, I'll tell her," he sighs heavily, his body drooping. "Thank you, Clark."

He hangs up. Placing his phone on the nightstand he looks up at me sadly.

"What's going on, Atlas? Who is it? Was Tilly..."

"Angelica," Atlas looks broken. "I'm sorry Cordelia, but she was hit by a bus about an hour ago."