Page 119 of Forging Darkness

I release a small moan of pleasure when my head drops to the pillow. The buzz of the plane’s engine along with the rhythmic rocking lulls me to sleep almost immediately.

It must be hours later when I finally wake because my body feels refreshed. Refreshed and toasty warm.

Especially my back.

And my neck.

Warm puffs of hair tickle the short hairs at my nape and I come fully awake.

Citrus. Pine. Sugar.

Steel’s cuddled behind me. Arm thrown over my waist. Chest flush against my spine. Face half-buried in my hair. Lips only a whisper away from my neck.

Mmm. Spooning is nice.

I should leave. I’m going to leave. Any second now I’m going to slide out of this bed and get up.

“Your thinking is waking me up. So stop.” Steel’s sleep-heavy timbre sounds like gravel and grit and sends a shiver up my spine. Tightening his arm, he drags me even closer, nuzzling the back of my neck and releasing a contented hum.

It may be my imagination, but the slashes on either side of my spine where my wings release tingle.

The thought crosses my mind that maybe I should just snuggle in and enjoy the moment, but the longer I’m awake, the more reality sinks in, the more I think about that line we almost crossed in the hotel in Mont-Tremblant, and the more I realize how much I need clarity right now rather than our usual melee of mixed signals.

Steel’s breathing has leveled out again, and I think he must have fallen back asleep. I gingerly grasp the wrist lying against my stomach and lift his arm. I’ve only raised his hand a few inches when a growl comes from his chest.

Shaking off my hold, his hand snakes over my ribs and clamps down.

“What are you doing here, Steel?”

“I told you I’d see you soon. Had to keep my promise.”

This guy.

“Steel. Let me up.” My voice is firm and full of fake displeasure.

He grumbles something into my hair.

“What?”

“Dreamt about this for days. Need it.”

“Dreamt? You’re still having dreams about me?”

My body stiffens as my muscles seize. He mentioned his dreams to me before, but wouldn’t elaborate.

“Not one ofthosedreams. I didn’t mean it in a literal way.” Groaning, his hand slides away as he rolls onto his back.

Flipping, I push to my knees and stare down at him. He rubs his face, not looking half as refreshed as I feel.

“Steel, tell me about the dreams. The real ones. The ones you mentioned when we were looking for Blaze and Aurora.” I’m speaking softly, but my tone doesn’t leave room for argument. It’s time, and I want to know everything.

Steel peels his hand from his face and shoves himself to a seated position, his back resting against the headboard.

He’s completely nude. At least from the waist up. The covers hide the rest of him.

“Why are you naked?” I squawk. “Did you honestly climb into bed with me with no clothes?”

Steel didn’t just step over the line, he leapt over it . . . in the buff.

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