Page 67 of Forged in Flames (Made of Steel 2)

I grimaced. "Let go of me!"

He didn't say a word as he carried me to the bedroom.

"How tired can you be if you can still pick me up? Let me down!" I tried to squirm out of his grip.

He ignored me and tightened his hands on my limbs, making it impossible to move, as he kicked the door open with his foot. He tossed me unceremoniously on the bed.

"I can't sleep right now, V. I can't. Julie's out there somewhere and she needs my help."

"Yes you can. Move over."

"You're not sleeping in here with me."

"Athena, lock the door," he said calmly as he kicked off his shoes.

I heard a clicking noise. "V, seriously, we need to do something."

"Athena, lights off."

The lights immediately turned off and I felt the bed sag.

"I've been sleeping on the couch for the last two nights," he said as his arms wrapped around me, pulling me down onto the bed. "Let's both just try to get a good night's sleep and focus on figuring everything out tomorrow."

"Can't we do that without snuggling?" I was seething. But I was also extremely aware of how strong his arms were around me. And how safe it made me feel. God, he was right. I was exhausted too.

"It's easier for me to sleep knowing that your safe." His breath was hot on the back of my neck.

"I don't mind sleeping on the couch," I grumbled.

He lightly sighed as his breathing slowed. His hand loosened around my waist and I could tell that he had fallen asleep.

He needed this. Somehow holding me like this made him feel more content. And even though I was furious with him, I needed it too. For years I didn't have any safe form of physical contact with another person. The truth was, only Miles and V made me feel this safe. I closed my eyes tight. And sometimes Eli. When he wasn't angry.

I wouldn't mind sleeping like this on my last few nights of borrowed time.

Chapter 28

Wednesday

I slowly opened my eyes and was about to stretch when I froze. V's arm was still wrapped around my torso. I could feel the rise and fall of his chest against my back and the tickle of his out breaths against the base o

f my neck. The sweet smell of his cologne had completely surrounded me. I couldn't deny the fact that I had slept soundlessly in his arms. Clearly he felt the same or he would have wandered back to the couch once I had fallen asleep. He wanted to hold me. The thought made my chest ache. How could I like this so much when I knew I still had feelings for Miles? Feelings that I had stomped on last night when I pulled away from our kiss.

Suddenly, the realization that V was still asleep replaced the feeling of guilt creeping into my stomach. This was my chance to see who he really was. As slowly as possible, I turned underneath his arm in order to face him.

He groaned and I immediately stopped. I waited a few seconds before completing my roll toward him. His eyes were still closed. I slowly exhaled as I stared at his masked face. His long lashes didn't do much to cover the dark circles underneath his eyes. He was exhausted. My being here had forced him to sleep on the couch the last few nights. And who knew how much sleep he ever really got. Most of his appearances had been in the middle of the night when he was veiled in a cloak of darkness.

But I didn't want him to be hidden any longer. I needed to see him. I reached out and lightly touched the bottom of his mask. V didn't even flinch. I slowly pushed it up. My fingers brushed against the scruff under his chin. It felt as though a current shot through me.

As if my touch did the same to him, he grabbed my hand and rolled on top of me, pinning me to the mattress. There was a wild look in his eyes.

"What are you doing?" his voice rumbled.

"I thought..."

"You said you trusted me!" He blinked hard as he stared down at me. It was like he was trying to rid himself of his anger. But no matter how many times he blinked, that wild look remained in his eyes. "Were you lying?"

I don't know anymore. "Trust is a lot easier if it's reciprocated. How can I trust you if you don't trust me?"

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