The Taste of Seduction

She really wasn\'t expecting Atlas\'s call on a working day and the concern in his voice made her stomach flutter with nerves. It was nice to have someone care about you.

Meredith put her phone down and sighed, resting her hands on her stomach. She closed her eyes once more, allowing sleep to engulf her.

Half an hour later, she was awakened by the gentle knocking on the door. Meredith groaned while she mustered all the strength she had left and got out of bed. She wondered who it was, since Sofia and her brother weren\'t around.

She slowly made her way to the living room, opening the front door. Just as she opened, Meredith met a pair of concerned blue eyes. Atlas was standing in her door way holding a package box with worried eyes.

She was beyond confused, what was he doing here? Meredith had completely forgotten he had told her he was coming to visit her.

"Mr. Mar-tini." Meredith said, trying to avoiding touching her stomach which was throbbing right now.

"Atlas" he paused for a second before he continued, "Are you alright?" He inquired his features turning gentle.

"I-I\'m fine Atlas. Sorry I didn\'t mean to make you worried." Meredith felt bad. They were working on an important business proposal and he had left to come check up on her.

"I wanted to check up on you. Don\'t feel like you\'re bothering me. Nothing is more important than you." Atlas said smiling,

A lovely scarlet flush colored her paled cheeks. Clearing her throat, she opened the door wider, "come in."

Atlas entered and went to stand in the middle of the living room still holding the box. Meredith stared at him and her gaze travelled to the box. Curiosity simmering in her eyes.

"Nice package." She muttered.

A warm girlish blush pinked his cheeks. Meredith widened her eyes in shock. Was he blushing? God she wished she had a camera right now to capture the iconic moment of Atlas Martini blushing.

"Are you blushing?" She asked, the sparkle in her eyes spelled mischief.

Atlas coughed and looked away, "Of course not!" he quickly defended and his pink went full-on scarlet

Silence enveloped them but it didn\'t last long when Meredith broke out into a hysterical laughter; a sort of half chuckle, half splutter.

Atlas stiffened while looking on the ground, then his gaze drifted up her face. An amused expression quirked up the side of his mouth while his eyes brimmed with warmth.

Meredith covered her mouth with her hand to suppress her chuckle. She finally stopped and looked up at Atlas whose penetrating gaze probed her face. Licking her lips, she scratch the bridge of her nose.

"Here." Atlas handed her the box. Meredith arched her brows as she took it.

"What is it?"

Atlas shrugged and put his hands in his pocket. The slight fidgeting was a sign that he was nervous about her reaction.

"You can sit down, while I open this package." She offered.

Atlas sat down, while Meredith sat on the carpet and placed the package in the center table. She unwrapped the package and saw a beautifully crafted box.

She opened it and saw chocolates, energy bars, sanitary items, a hot water bottle, heating pads, soft tissues, painkillers and then an erotic book.

Based on the cover she was sure it was a BDSM novel. The girl was kneeing at the man\'s feet wearing only a red lingerie with a collar around her neck.

Meredith was too stunned to speak. This was the nicest thing anyone has ever done for her apart from her Sofia taking her in and her mom adopting her. A wave of emotions assaulted her and she felt her eyes watering.

She didn\'t even think Atlas remembered the book she was holding the last time they met and here he was giving her an erotic novel. Her guilty pleasure.

"Do you like it?" She heard Atlas asking behind her. She opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out. Her throat was thick with emotions. Stupid hormones!

She felt Atlas\'s hand on her shoulder and she turned to look at him. Atlas noticed the tears in her eyes and he faltered.

"Hey, what is wrong? Don\'t you like?" He crouched in front of her. His eyebrows pulled together in question.

Meredith shook her head aggressively. How could he even think that she didn\'t like this? Which woman didn\'t like romantic gestures?

"N-No... No, I love it" She hiccupped.

Puzzlement marred on his face, "Then why are you crying?"

Meredith sniffled, "I\'m touched. I didn\'t know you were this romantic. Maybe I should call you Mr. romantic?"

Atlas sighed and rubbed his forehead, "So you\'re crying because you\'re touched?"

Meredith nodded.

Atlas wiped the tears staining her cheeks with his finger.

"Hmm, have you eaten breakfast?" he mumbled.

"No." Meredith blushed, she suddenly remembered that she hadn\'t even taken her bath yet and haven\'t brush her teeth.

She quickly covered her mouth with her hand and went back a little.

Atlas\'s eyes glinted with amusement. He pressed a soft kiss on her forehead and stood up.

"Go and bath. I will wait for you." Atlas said and helped her off the floor.

"T-that can you prepare breakfast for me?" Meredith asked, batting her eyelashes at him.

"Huh?" Atlas fidgeted uncomfortably.

"Breakfast. The kitchen is just around your left corner.." Then she disappeared not giving him the chance to refuse.