Page 34 of Forging Darkness

He voices the fears I dare not utter. Things are so intense between us at times. Is it genuine attraction or only out-of-control hormones? Or is something else at play here, something that strips our choices away from us?

Indecision causes me to tip away. Steel loosens his hold, but moves with me. My back skims the chilled door behind me, but I don’t rest my full weight against it. The juxtaposition of the icy metal behind me and the heat coming off of Steel is doing things to my head.

The whispered word “mine” echoes in the corners of my mind.

His face tightens, unmasking his indecision. I watch doubt and worry seep into his mind. The light in his eyes begins to dim and his hold on me melts away.

I don’t want that to happen. So as I watch Steel pull away from me, I do what comes naturally. I push.

“It’s real for this moment, and right now, that’s all I care about.”

Steel’s hands have dropped to his sides, but mine remain pressed against his chest and around his neck. Before he can sever our connection and ruin this moment for the both of us, my fingers tug on the soft material of his shirt, fisting it and stretching out the neck.

There’s something I like about him looking slightly disheveled. A little less than perfect.

Perfection is overrated.

My hand on his neck no longer simply toys with his hair, but applies pressure, urging him closer.

In this brief moment in time, Steel is utterly enthralled with me, one hundred percent susceptible to my whims and desires. And my immediate desire is to be reminded what it feels like to have his lips slide over my own.

He angles his head to align perfectly with my own, and we only remain apart for a single heartbeat more. Our lips press together in a kiss so innocent, it probably should have been our first. I don’t mind so much going out of order as long as each kiss moves me to my core.

Steel presses into me, holding me in place as he increases the pressure on my lips. The spots on my back where my wings fold out tingle, but instinct tells me they aren’t going to emerge.

Our lips meet once, twice, three times.

Steel draws away just far enough for his gaze to sweep my face. His hand moves up to my neck, and his thumb strokes my pulse point.

“Emberly.” He utters my name on a whispered breath. His eyes have taken on a feverish glow. I want to know what he has to say, but not as badly as I want another taste. My gaze dips to his lips as his hand slips into my hair. “So sweet.”

I shift, leaning more deeply into his embrace, but it doesn’t exactly work out the way I intend. The door behind me shoves open, and I clunk foreheads with Steel before flopping onto his chest.

He absorbs my impact with an “oomph” as we both get pushed several feet. My heel catches on some loose stones, and my ankle rolls. If it wasn’t for Steel’s reflexes, I’d be crumpled on the ground with a wet butt and probably a skinned knee.

“I’ll check out here.” Sterling’s voice is unmistakable. “Oh, hey. Looks like I found ya.”

I can hear and feel Steel’s exasperated sigh. “Great timing, man.” He keeps a firm hold on me until I regain my footing.

Once I’m stable, I bring a hand up to my face. Sure enough, my skin throws off heat like a furnace. My cheeks must be cherry red.

Ducking my head, I step away from Steel and turn to Sterling, lifting my eyes but not my face. The younger Durand twin is propped up against the brick wall to the right of the club door. His arms are crossed over his chest and one knee is bent as his foot rests on the wall behind him. He doesn’t even try to contain the grin spreading across his face or the amusement dancing in his eyes. The wordsmugclangs through my mind.

“Sooo, tell me. What have you two been up to while we all were searching for you instead of Forsaken?”

“Nothing.”

“Mind your own business, Sterling.”

Could we sound more guilty?

Sterling releases a low chuckle, not fooled in the least. “Nice shade of lipstick . . . Steel.”

I snap my gaze to Steel, who’s wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. When he drops his hand, it’s stained with a raspberry-tinted smear.

So. Busted.

Sterling’s smile grows. “In all seriousness though, boys and girls, we need to get back in there. Our plan is going up in flames. You know what it’s like when drunk humans get around us.” Pushing off the alley wall, he lifts a hand to itch his forehead. “Even I’m getting annoyed by all the handsy females in there, so you know it’s bad. And the girls straight up need bodyguards. Well, at least Ash does. Nova seems to be enjoying herself.”

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