“Maybe because they’re so far away. They’re untouchable. And they shine,” he murmurs.
“Not those little guys.” I point to a dull cluster of tiny specks.
“Well, against the black sky, even they stand out.”
I hum. “That’s true.”
“But you’rethat one, Starling.”
I follow his pointed finger to the brightest, biggest star in the sky.
Then, I return to his profile.
“You’re just saying that because you love me.” The words are out without a thought.
Miles turns his head until our eyes connect, his gaze like a caress across my face. Not alarmed or even surprised.
My pulse picks up, but I don’t take it back, don’t try to correct it or soften the meaning. I know it’s the truth in the marrow of my bones.
“I love you,” I say, low enough to be soft but loud enough to be heard.
His hand cups my jaw, keeping my eyes on his. I wasn’t planning to look away.
“Fuck. I love you, too,” comes out on a harsh breath, his thumb tracing my cheekbone.
Nothing else matters. Not the CMAs. Not the playoffs. Not June.
There’s only us.
Here and now.
He kisses me, hand sliding to the back of my neck, and I press my palm flat against his chest, over his heart. His fingers find the hem of my shirt, and cool air hits my skin as he pulls it over myhead. The April night still has a bite to it, but he’s warm. I tug at his shirt, and he helps me unbutton it, breaking the kiss just long enough to yank it off, before his mouth finds mine again.
We’re a tangle of limbs on the narrow lounger, hands pulling at remaining clothing until we’re both bare. He shifts above me, settling between my thighs, and the stars above us look brighter now.
He grinds against me, and we both groan at the contact, my eyes closing as he moves through my wetness, each slow drag pulling a soft whimper from me. I reach between us and position him at my entrance.
He eases back enough to look at where we’re connected, then up to my eyes. “Don’t have a condom.” It comes out more question than concern.
“Do we need one?”
His lips part, then close again. “I’ve been tested. I haven’t been with anyone but you since?—”
“Me, too.” I run my hands along his sides, his stomach tightening under my touch.
“Fuck.” He starts to push in, but pauses. “This okay?”
I nod quickly. “I got the birth control shot.”
He holds my gaze. “Didn’t even think about that.”
His breath catches as he pushes in, both of us stilling at the feel of nothing between us. I tug him into a kiss. We move together, slow at first, the lounger creaking beneath us, the cool night air on my skin everywhere he isn’t touching.
He drags his mouth down my jaw and throat, and I arch into him, fingers threading through his hair, holding on. We’re unhurried in a way we haven’t always been. Like, this is the first night of something, rather than the last.
“I love you,” he mumbles against my skin.
My nails dig into his shoulders. “I love you.”
