Page 113 of Stealing Embers
“Leaving the protection of the Nephilim would be suicide.”
“Now who’s being dramatic?” I spit at him. “I’m not trying to get myself killed. I’m just trying to get away from you!”
“There are smarter ways to go about that than running away.” Steel’s top lip curls. The sneer on his face drips with disgust.
Spinning, I march off, uncaring if I’m heading in the right direction.
“I cannot even believe we’re having this argument,” I yell over my shoulder. “You’ve been trying to get rid of me since practically the moment you flew me off that parking garage. You should finally be satisfied, not berating me.”
Catching up to me, he grabs hold of my bicep and twists me around. I rip from his grasp.
“Stop doing that!” I demand.
He pushes a hand through his snow-speckled hair, melting the flakes caught in the strands.
“Yeah, I want separation between you and my family. You’re a danger magnet. Ihaveto protect them.” An edge of desperation coats his words.
“My point exactly. You should be thrilled. I’ll finally be out of your hair. This is just what you wanted.”
“I don’t want you to get yourself killed, either!” he roars at me.
I blink up at Steel, who is once again in my personal space, almost toe to toe with me. His breathing is elevated and his pupils are blown out.
“What is going on right now?”
I’m honestly perplexed as to why he is so agitated. This is what he wanted. He hasn’t been subtle about his desires. He’s been pushing me toward the academy front door for weeks now. I didn’t anticipate this reaction at all. I expected a moody “It’s about time” from him, not this emotionally charged beast panting in front of me.
“Why are you acting like this? This makes zero sense.”
“Just . . . ask for a transfer or something. There are other Neph academies all over the world. Choose one of those. I can’t handle thinking of you that exposed.” Steel’s words come out in an explosive rush and with an intensity that gives me pause. He seems wrecked, but for the life of me I don’t understand why.
In contrast to the anxiety pouring from Steel, I speak my truth slowly, a soothing note attached to each syllable I utter. Instinct poking me to handle this situation delicately.
“I can handle being alone. It’s been that way my whole life.”
“Well,Ican’t handle it anymore.”
A strong hand wraps around the back of my head and tugs me forward. Steel’s frost-chilled lips cover mine. His cinnamon taste and all-male musk cocoon me in a Steel-only bubble. I have a foggy notion that I shouldn’t find dude sweat so appealing, but goodness help me, I do.
In a split second, the deepest thoughts my brain produces are things likewhoaandyum.
Steel’s mouth moves over mine with just the right amount of sweetness laced with passion. There can’t have ever been a more perfect kiss than the one we are currently sharing.
I may not be experienced at this kissing thing, but I know enough to know he does it well—or rather,wedo.
He swallows the tiny noises that bubble up in my throat, sounds I don’t even understand.
It’s like he has a sense about when I’m going to come to my senses because the pressure changes a moment before I’m about to break free from the delicious mind-fog his touch creates.
He drags me back under, every time—and I can’t muster the will to care.
For these moments in time, I exist in a Steel-centered world.
His taste, touch, and smell are the only senses my body registers. The cold is no longer a factor as blood pumps double-time through my veins.
His tongue traces the seam of my mouth, and I tip my head back farther, granting him entrance. His hand tightens against my rib cage.
It feels like a claiming.