Chapter 55
Chapter fifty-five
Anna
“Did she just wake up?” Anna looked up from her garden. The carrots had come in over the last few weeks, along with the weeds. Yes, Mars had weeds. And unfortunately in a staggering amount. They dotted the garden patch, renewed after all the rain from the past week.
“A little bit ago, but she isn’t crying yet.” Atlas had Rose in a carrier strapped to his chest. Even though she was secure, he still kept his arms protectively underneath her. He grinned. “She’s smiling.”
“She is?” Anna dropped the weeds and rushed over.
Sure enough, there was a hint of a smile on Rose’s face.
Anna pulled the top down on the carrier to see better.
“Hi there, baby girl.” Rose’s eyes had darkened to hazel, a shade lighter than Anna’s, and wispy brown fuzz was on the top of her head.
She’d turned six weeks old a few days ago, and had started smiling just the day before.
“That is a smile.” Atlas cooed down, “Rosie girl, are you happy?”
Anna smiled back. “Must be.” Then she said to Atlas, “Oh, can you get a picture? One for the wall and . . .” She hesitated. “Send one back to the communal mind? I know they’ve been asking.”
He gave her a side look. “Are you sure?”
“Yeah. I’ll take her inside to nurse?”
Atlas quickly unbuckled Rose, still smiling, and handed her over. Rose was no longer an angry baby; instead, she seemed content as long as she was fed and adored. Which she had in multitudes, even more with Atlas some days than Anna.
Anna felt strong, and settled. Time had worked rapidly to heal both her body and her mind. Now, sending pictures to the communal mind, on their terms, of Rose and their life out by the pasture felt normal. And it was almost sort of fun, sharing the milestones as Rose hit them.
She took the baby girl inside, Atlas following behind them. The small house was decorated with plants, and every inch was decorated with baby items. She cradled Rose, eating a ration bar while she nursed on the bed.
Atlas automatically brought her another bar, along with a glass of water.
“Thanks.” She drank some and handed it back. “She must be in a growth spurt.”
Atlas sat nearby. “She’s strong and healthy.”
Soon Rose fell asleep, and Anna transferred her to the bassinet. In the other room, the crib sat unused beneath a layer of dust. The baby still slept next to them in a bassinet within arm’s reach. Neither Anna nor Atlas wanted to have the baby out of their sight. Never again.
Not only were they sharing more, but visitors had come over the last few weeks—Sterling, Zero, and even Starla, who brought some baby items. Even the researcher, Leo, dropped by. With him, Atlas hovered, but Leo’s apologies were sincere, and he even held Rose for a moment before departing.
The only one who was not allowed near their home was Stella.
And Anna stood firm on that order, even though a carefully scripted apology from her had been delivered by Leo.
Stella could keep staying far away. Anna felt no need for universal popularity among the androids.
This arrangement worked best for everyone.
“Anna?” Atlas’s voice was hushed. He waved her over from where he sat on a loveseat. “Come here.”
She settled in his arms, feeling peaceful in the afternoon quiet. And then she started feeling overly hot as he trailed his fingers down her arm slowly. Over and over.
He laid a kiss on her cheek. “Your heartbeat. Hmm . . .”
“Hmm indeed.” Anna smiled, pressing her face to his chest. Did she want him? Yes. With every fiber. “It’s been six weeks . . .”
Atlas’s hand paused a minute, then resumed tracing her arm. The touch made heat flood her, head to toe.
“That feels so good,” she whispered. Desire pooled in her core. Her voice was low. “I read in the book what can happen after six weeks.”
There was a chuckle in Atlas’s voice. “Oh?”
“Do you know too?”
“Well, Anna. You’re right.” He reached around, pulling her even closer. He extended his arm down her side to tease above her pubic bone. “This is healed.”
Her legs parted as she squirmed, and her body felt like it was on fire from his touch. Yes. She sat up, pressing a kiss to his cheek. “Nora offered to watch Rose tonight.”
Without saying anything more, Atlas pressed his mouth to hers. Gently, slowly, in a way that was very familiar now but left a maddening ache in its wake. He traced her face with his fingers. “We should take her up on that offer.”
Anna pressed her forehead to his, looking deep into his eyes, watching them focus on her. “We should.” She kissed him again, then pulled back. Her heart raced.
This was real. After everything with Paul, the chip, and nearly losing Rose . . . she was ready. Nervous butterflies gathered in her stomach, but she was not afraid. Not of Atlas.
“Alright,” she whispered, “I’ll let her know.”
Soon Rose woke up, and Anna took her to Nora, who was all too happy to watch her for the evening. Anticipation pooled in her gut the entire walk back. She wanted him. She nervously smoothed down her shirt, her heart pounding. This is happening. The house was quiet when she opened the door.
There would be no interruptions. No responsibilities.
Atlas was waiting, illuminated by the lantern light. The lowered light matched the softness in his eyes. “I’ve been waiting.”
Anna searched his eyes. “So have I.”
He crossed the room, shyly grinning, every movement measured. Then he reached for her hand, slowly, as if giving her time to pull back.
But Anna didn’t. She pressed into him, angling her head up. And he kissed her, slow and tender. The kiss deepened, then moved down her neck. Then his fingers spoke for him, trailing down her side, deliberate, teasing. Carefully, he pulled up her shirt.
Anna shuddered at the feeling of his hands on her. She pulled the shirt off the rest of the way while he watched, eyes luminous.
He kissed down her neck, avoiding her breasts, which were sore from being postpartum, but resumed kissing underneath.
Then he traced the still-red stretch marks.
The lines crossed her stomach, softer now than when she was carrying Rose.
But he traced them all with reverence until she relaxed.
Goosebumps rose in the wake of his fingers.
Then he put his hand over her heartbeat, which was now racing fast. He gave a mischievous smile. “My favorite part.”
Heat pooled in her core. She kissed him on the neck. “Good.”
With his eyes on her, she tugged on his sweater, a dark purple one instead of the usual blue. His artificial heartbeat remained steady. He pulled off his pants, then stood in front of her, bare and cupping her cheek. “Are you sure?” he asked, his eyes fixated on her.
Her breath caught. She’d seen him before in passing, but this was different. This was for her. Desire flooded through her nerves. Anna pressed into him, feeling his arms come around her. Strong and sure. She breathed, “Yes. You?”
His hands slid down her frame, pulling her pants down. “I’ve been ready for a long while.”
Anna surprised herself by reaching forward. No more hiding. No more waiting. Her hand cupped him, bold. A low hum from him followed, and he nudged her back toward the bed.
Carefully, his hands roamed over her, vibrating and making her squirm. The vibrations traveled through her, making her weak in the knees. It was like nothing she’d ever experienced before. His fingers dropped lower, trailing down until they vibrated over her clit, making everything in her clench.
“Oh.” Her legs parted, and she panted. “That’s . . .”
“I’ve waited a long time.” He darkly chuckled, “Not only the six weeks. I bet the moisture content is optimal. Just right.”
“What? You’re really checking?” Anna let out a breathy laugh.
Then the humor caught up to her and she started laughing, howling almost, but was silenced when Atlas covered her, his weight pinning her down.
He used his fingers over her again while he kissed her low and deep. Soon, her laughter turned to moans.
The room narrowed to just the two of them. He reached back up, eyes searching. “I love you, Anna.”
It wasn’t a whisper this time when she said it back. “I love you too.” She took his hand and guided his fingers back to her core, her voice a teasing whisper. “Check the moisture content, Atlas.”
“Alright.” Atlas’s hand traveled lower, teasing her and dipping in again. “Yes, Anna. You’re definitely ready.” But then he shook his head. “But I don’t want just ready. I want you to feel everything.”
“Oh.” Anna squirmed. “That’s . . .” No one had taken the time before. But then again, no one was quite like Atlas.
He kissed down her side to pet her stomach.
His hand moved slowly until his intentions could not be mistaken.
“No, Anna. You deserve to feel good. I’ll make you feel good.
This is how I want it to be between us. Accept this.
Let go for me. Let me love you.” He pushed on her clit, making his fingers vibrate even faster than before.
Anna’s eyes widened, and she inhaled fast.
Atlas darkly chuckled again. “Different now, right?”
She could hardly speak. “Yeah . . .”
But he pressed his face into her neck. “Keep going?”
She gasped out, “Don’t stop.”
Very soon her breathing grew ragged, her movements becoming uncoordinated. He kept up the pressure with one hand while holding her close. Then she came apart, waves pulsing around her. The room narrowed and stars crossed her eyes.
Then Atlas gently pushed her hair out of her eyes. “Good?”
“Yes.” She clawed at his back and let out a breathy laugh. “I want to feel you as well.”
He nudged her face aside and kissed her cheek. “Did Nora share about that?”
“Some.”
“Well, are you ready?”
Anna looked at him. His hand rested on her cheek, thumbing the side. The way he waited, patiently, wanting her real answer. She loved him. Everything in her felt alive. Everything in her wanted him close. Hers.
“Yes.”
He straddled her, already ready, his member hard. Slowly, he eased into her. Every touch made her feel like she was on fire. Anna widened her legs. Inside, she felt wanted. Needed. Her body adjusted, and slowly opened for him.
Once he was fully in her, he nuzzled her on the neck. Then he leaned down until they were touching foreheads. His eyes were soft. “I love you, Anna.”
And she felt that. Deep inside. “I love you too.” From the way he’d touched her before to the tenderness now—it was complete trust. He was hers.
My Atlas. And everything she needed. Anna’s back arched as he thrust, feeling herself clench around him.
Every movement was intentional. “It feels so right?”
“Yes.” His breath hitched. “Humans designed the most important parts right.” Then he pulled back. “Is it too much? You’re still . . .”
“No overthinking.” She pulled him back down. “I want this.”
Atlas didn’t respond to her words, his eyes mechanically focusing, but his tempo increased. His careful grip became more firm, pushing her down as he began to move. His eyes unfocused as he lost himself.
For Anna the moment narrowed to only sensation. Heat and friction. She arched back, matching him, until his eyes suddenly focused again, looking intently into hers. Possessive. Then he thrust in, far, staying there. He hummed, pressing deep, as he finished.
Anna felt a pulse deep within her. Her entire body shuddered. Everything in her felt right. A sense of ringing. Completely. She felt slack now, sweaty and spent, as he withdrew to crawl next to her.
His lips found her sweaty brow and then he laughed, shaky and raw. “I could go indefinitely but . . . I needed this too much this time.”
“You fit perfectly.”
“Perfect man.” He kissed her brow. “Remember?”
Atlas lay back in the bed, Anna in his arms.
Chuckling, she pulled him close, her heartbeat pounding against his chest. Her human, imperfect beats intertwined with his steady, artificial tempo. “Yes.” She exhaled shakily. “You really are.”