Stealing the Heart of Mr. Steele

Chapter 26 [Cordelia]

Just as I am about to give up, a strong set of arms wrap around my torso, pulling me up to the surface.

"Hang in there, Cordy," his words are like a prayer. It is strange, but my mystery rescuer sounds a lot like Atlas. No, it couldn't be. He'd never call me "Cordy." He hates that nickname.

Someone is pressing down on my chest. Their lips press air into my lungs and I am turned to my side so that the seawater can cough it's way out of my stomach and chest. The saltwater burns as it leaves my body, but I don't care as I take a deep, grateful breath. I open my eyes. Kneeling next to me is Jude, who is covering me with a warm, thick towel, his eyes full of worry, and someone who looks a lot like Atlas.

"Clark?" I realize as my eyes! in their focus. "How? I?"

"I like to come to this beach and surf when I'm in town," he points to his board, the one that carried me to shore. "It's a lucky thing that I found you when I did. We almost lost you forever."

I take a few minutes to introduce the gentlemen to one another. I don't know quite what to say about Jude, today is our first date, so I simply call him "my friend" rather than complicate matters.

"But how did you see me?" I question him, curious as to how I got so lucky. The odds of him seeing me and knowing where to find me are fairly slim. Not that I'm ungrateful for the rescue, it just seems too convenient that he was right where I needed him to be. "With these," he beams proudly as he presses a button on his smart watch. A pair of miniature drones, no swoop to hover above his head before landing on the beach next to him. bigger than the palm of my hand

"I've been developing these for use in promotional videos," he explains. "Today I decided to test it out while I surfed. When I was reviewing the footage, I saw you dip beneath the waves just a few feet away." His eyes are wide with shock as he adds. "I dove in after you," he then gives me a strange look, which he extends to Jude. "What were you doing out here anyway? I thought you couldn't swim."

"That's because I can't," I confirm. "Jude was teaching me when I got pulled under."

"Most people would start in a pool," he is now staring daggers at Jude who is staring back at him.

Not wanting to break up another fight between Jude and one of the Steele brothers, I raise my hands and say. "Well, I'm safe now. Thank you both for taking such good care of me."

My words seemed to calm both men. It probably helps that Clark isn't nearly as pigheaded as his big brother.

It's almost impossible for

anyone to stay mad at Clark. After a few minutes of conversation, Jude and Clark were getting along like old friends. Whereas Atlas is a keen businessman, his brother Clark has far more people skills. Making friends has always come naturally to him.

"So there's going to be a big party tonight here on the beach," Clark mentions, "A bunch of people I went to college with, some other friends from here and there, you know, the usual crowd," he smiles invitingly." You two should come."

ve never been to a bonfire party. After I married Atlas it was all high society dinners and charity auctions.

There was hardly any time to have fun and just hang out.

Maybe that was part of our problem.

"I think that sounds fun, Clark," I accept for both of us. Jude is hesitant at first, wanting to get back to his lab, but I convince him to come along too.

"I guess the lab will still be there in an hour or two," he concedes.

After changing out of my wet suit and putting on my warm, dry sweats, we all head over to the fire pit, which is already blazing and warm. My arms and legs, still cold and shaking from the ocean, begin to relax as the warmth of the fire seeps in my bones. Jude finds me a warm blanket to wrap up in and Hean into his hug. "Thank you," I sigh in gratitude.

"Of course," he smiles down at me. The firelight flickering across his downturned face brings attention to his full lips. "Anything for you."

His kiss is soft, gentle, and very chaste. He is being so careful and cautious with me as if he is trying to protect not just my body but my heart.

Clark comes over with a couple of beers in red plastic cups and then laughs as he looks over our shoulders.Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

"Well look who the cat dragged in!" Clark chortles. "I never thought I'd see him at one of these things."

I take a quick turnaround.

Atlas is here, and so is Sydney.