Page 64 of Forged in Flames (Made of Steel 2)

He laughed. "They're doing well. I love my parents. They've been with me through everything, dragging me back and forth to soccer practice. They'll be coming to the homecoming game if you want to meet them."

I swallowed hard. I wanted to take him up on his offer. Honestly, I could really use a hug from Mrs. Young. She had cared that I had gone missing. She had tried to find me. I cleared my throat. "Yeah, maybe. That's kind of a big step isn't it? Meeting the parents."

He laughed. "You've gotten me completely off my game, it's true."

"So on one of your countless dates with random women, what would you be doing right now?"

"We'd probably already be in bed."

The way he said it was probably more provocative than the actual words. Or maybe it was just the fact that his eyes on me was making my heart beat uncontrollably. I laughed awkwardly. "I think you promised me a walk in Central Park first."

"We should probably get that out of the way then." He took the last bite of ice cream and winked at me.

I'm pretty sure my jaw actually dropped. "First of all, how rude of you for finishing the ice cream."

"You already finished your bowl." He slid out of the booth.

"But you owe me." Again, words were pouring out of my mouth that made no sense when he didn't know that I was Summer.

"I owe you the kiss that I promised. But beyond that..." his words trailed off as he studied me again. He shook his head, dumped our bowls in the trash, and then put his hand out for me. "And I promise I'm planning on being a perfect gentleman tonight."

I bit my lip so that I wouldn't be compelled to pout. If everyone else could sleep with him, why wasn't I allowed to? I had been waiting the longest. God, I had completely lost it. I put my hand in his and he pulled me to my feet. But instead of stepping back, he pulled me toward him until I was pressed against his chest.

"You're not like those other girls, Sadie," he said and tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear. "Besides, patience makes everything better, don't you think?"

"You're so full of yourself, Miles Young." I lightly tapped his chest and stepped around him. But he was probably right. He just didn't realize how long I had waited to have him. I looked over my shoulder. He had a playful grin on his face as he followed me out of the ice cream shop. As soon as we were on the sidewalk, he immediately slipped his hand into mine.

I didn't pull away. I didn't tell him the lie that I already had a boyfriend. I wanted to enjoy this one night. The truth was, we just fit. There was no denying it. We were meant to be together. We always had been.

I laughed as he started jogging, pulling me along with him. "Where are we going?"

"I want to show you something."

It didn't matter where we were going. I'd always been willing to follow him to the ends of the earth. But after several minutes I got a cramp in my side. It just proved that what I really should have been doing was training with V. I dismissed the thought. I didn't want to think about V when Miles was right here.

"I need a minute to catch my breath." I stopped, pulling back on his hand.

He smiled as he turned toward me. "Hop on then." He knelt down on one knee in front of me and tapped his back.

I wasn't going to protest. The thought of having my arms wrapped around him was enticement enough. I climbed onto his back and clasped my hands beneath his neck. He stood up, securing his hands around my thighs. I was pretty sure we didn't need a bed. He could have me right here right now.

The neckline of his t-shirt had shifted down slightly and I could feel the softness of his skin beneath the fabric. He laughed and I felt the vibration below his Adam's apple. I dropped my head slightly so that my face was adjacent with the side of his neck and took a deep breath. Home.

"What's your favorite constellation?" I asked. I remembered when I went to the observatory, the telescope I had looked into was angled at Sagitta. He had never told me whether it was him that was looking at it.

"I like the small ones. The ones you really have to look for." His head tilted up and I knew he was searching the sky.

I swallowed hard. "But is there a specific one?"

"Sagitta. It's brightest in the fall. But you still need a telescope to see it in the city."

I rested my chin on his shoulder. All those years apart, he had been looking at it too. It's me. I was so tempted to whisper those two words in his ear. I had to bite my lip to prevent myself from speaking.

He tilted his head toward me and my nose brushed against his cheek. His laughter vibrated through my hand again. "Close your eyes, Sadie."

"You're not going to do something weird to me, are you?"

"You'll just have to wait and see."

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