Page 27 of Flame and Fury

“It is a nice ass. Tell me more about this book.”

I toss the blanket at his face. “I’d like to get a full night’s rest and having you get all handsy will just disturb me.” I shrug, like sleeping next to him all night isn’t making my belly flutter with butterflies. He’s also given me no reason to think he’ll cop a feel in the middle of the night, but I’ve lost all sense of reason. It’s that damn vee of his obliques that has scrambled my brains.

Atlas scoffs, snapping open the blanket I removed and settling it back on the bed. “There is literally no space anywhere to lie down on the floor. I’m an adult, you’re an adult. Are you telling me we can’t share the bed and stay on our respective sides?”

“I have my doubts.” It’s me. I’m the one I’m doubting.

Atlas smirks at me, pulling back the covers on his side of the bed. “Is it because you like to cuddle in your sleep? I won’t push you away, you know.”

I gape at him. There’s a spark in his eyes. Is he flirting? What is happening right now? I offer a simpering smile. “I’d rather snuggle with a porcupine.”

“I think we both know if anyone’s going to get handsy, it’s not me.” Atlas slips under the blankets and then very deliberately places a pillow in the middle of the bed. “We’ll just leave this here to protect your virtue, shall we?”

Atlas grins at me, his mouth opening to lob some more strange banter my way. I hold up a hand. “No. Stop. I don’t know what to do with this. Let’s just get some sleep.”

Atlas sucks on his bottom lip, and his hand drags over the rippling abs that prove he's a demi-god. I make a disgusted sound and turn off the lights before flipping the blankets back and slipping into bed.

I hate that I can’t tell what the hell his intentions are. Is he mocking me? Is he playing a game like he did with Ayla Long during our first challenge, and turning on the charisma? Although he’s teasing more than trying to charm me. I feel like I’m being made fun of, and the butterflies in my belly sink like little lead weights, turning into a knot of anxiety.

I roll to my side, lying as close to the edge as I can without falling out of the bed. Atlas, on the other hand, is splayed out. His legs are spread wide, and he has his arms propped under his head. Did he shift over to the middle of the bed? Gods, there is no way I’ll be able to forget he’s there and fall asleep.

Every breath I take sounds too loud. Each time I move, I feel like I’m trying to draw attention to myself. I huff and flip my pillow over, even though both sides are cold.

It’s going to be a long night.

CHAPTER16

WREN

An incessant whistling worms its way into my half-asleep state. I shiver and huddle deeper under the covers. A huge gust of wind and the loud ping of ice hitting the window finally jerk me awake.

It’s freezing. My nose is cold. My feet and hands too.

“I think the storm knocked out the power,” Atlas says quietly next to me, and I try not to freak out at the casual intimacy.

There’s something about being in the dark that requires low voices. I’m still on my side, dangling perilously close to the edge of the bed. I can’t tell how long I’ve been asleep, but it doesn’t feel like much time has passed.

My teeth chatter and I roll over with a curse. “It’s fucking freezing in here.”

I feel more than see Atlas nod. He gets out of bed, and I suck in a deep breath, ready to protest. Where is he going? A few seconds later, something lands on my legs over the blankets.

“There’s a few spare blankets in the closet.” Another layer is added to covers. Atlas scurries back into bed with a hiss.

“I bet you regret not wearing a shirt right about now.”

Atlas’s weight is in the middle of the bed, and I roll toward him. I don’t bother fighting it because I need all the warmth I can get.

“Ha ha. I put one on.” Atlas pulls the blankets up, almost over my head. I stick my chin out but leave everything else covered.

“How long have you been awake?” My hands are fisted under my chin, but Atlas is so close they’re pressing against his chest too. My knees are touching his, but that’s all.

“Only a few minutes. The wind picked up, and I was trying to work up the fortitude to get out of bed to grab more blankets.”

A particularly violent blast of wind rattles the window, causing a wheezing sound as it pushes at the glass. Gods, we’re going to freeze to death.

“As distasteful as it might be, I’d suggest we combine body heat.”

“Yeah, okay.” My reply is quick. I’m not a fool. Most of the time. I’m not going to deny myself warmth to prove a point. I scoot my body closer to Atlas and he pulls me into his arms. I settle against him, my head pillowed on his bicep, and breathe in the scent of him. It’s familiar and comforting. Being in his arms calms something under my skin, like a balm soothes a burn.

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