Page 27 of Stargazer

“The company was okay,” I teased, elbowing him in the gut and then quickly repositioning myself so I didn’t fall. “Didn’t you ever get to see a clear sky when you were out on patrol or on a job?”

“Nah, it was always still within the boroughs. I’ve never come out far enough to get a sky like this, clear of all the pollution. I mean, there’s plenty of spots that have decent views for stargazing, and the locations themselves provide a unique experience, but this … I didn’t even know that all the blank spaces were filled with stars. There’s not a single spot left empty.”

Turning towards him and seeing the awe on his face—getting to experience this first with him—it tugged on something deep within me. I wanted to grab his hand, or play with his hair, or trace the shape of his sharp jawline. Anything to be closer to him.

I refrained, and before I could do or say anything else, he interrupted my thoughts, his hands still tucked behind his head as he gazed up.

“‘Between seas, galaxies and moons, I was lucky. I stepped on the same land. I dreamed under the same stars as you.’”

His hushed words lifted to the sky above us in that seductive voice of his, almost like he was seeing them written up there. “I read that in a poem once. Feels pretty accurate. Here we are, sitting under those stars together. Some might call that fate, Supernova,” he added casually, like he wasn’t just quoting poetry to me.

With my gaze locked on the side of his angelic profile glowing in the light and my heart fluttering a million miles a minute, all I wanted to do was bring my body closer to his. To crawl on top of him and feel the irresistible heat that pulsed through him.

The guy made cheesy sayings his thing and somehow it worked on me. Every. Single. Time.

It pulled on those stupid, romantic heartstrings of mine. And I wanted to give in. To say ‘yes’ and get a chance at another electrifying taste of him—of those beckoning lips that had been mine to claim only days ago. But not anymore.

I thought of the current fucked up situation I was in. Torn between two boys who cared about me. Two boys I didn’t want to hurt.

What would River think if he saw Griff and I now? How much would I break his heart? I couldn’t do that to him. I couldn’t give Griffin more of myself. Not until I figured this out.

And already just having Griff stay with us was a disadvantage to Riv.

I truly didn’t know what I was going to do. I needed to keep them both at a safe distance until I could sort through the thoughts and emotions churning in my head. This wasn’t exactly what one would call safe.

There was just so much going on right now. So much that felt more important than which guy I wanted to give my heart to. And I was scared, so damn scared of losing the other if I made a decision.

So right now, I would stick to my word and take my time. We had a freaking war on our hands anyway, there wasn’t time for this right now, not until we had a plan at the very least.

Forcing myself to act on my thoughts, I pulled my gaze from his beautiful face.

But he came for me. He was here now. Choosing me.

The inner voice in my head whispered a gentle reminder.

Fuck. This was going to be so hard.

Carefully, I raised my body up until I was seated. Griff turned to me, eyebrow cocked in silent question.

“I better get to bed. You know I’m no good when I’m sleepless and grumpy,” I answered.

“Ain’t that the truth,” he chuckled. But he looked at me with concern still. “Are you okay, Supernova?”

“I didn’t get a chance to apologise earlier.”

“For what?”

“For leaving the way I did. We may not have had a label, but I shut down when I heard about the rogues in Saint Claire. When I realised what that meant. And I know I hurt you. I’m sorry.”

He deflected. “Forgiveness comes at a cost. Is make-up sex on the table?”

“Griff,” I warned.

He laughed but then nodded. “I forgive you. I forgave you as soon as I decided to come. I didn’t exactly act … rationally, when you said you wanted to leave.”

“Thank you, for coming for me.” The words left my mouth before I could think too long about them. “I know I didn’t get to say that earlier either.” I furrowed my brows, not sure how to say the next part. “I still need time though. Okay, Griff? I know you came for me. But you also told me to go. You let me believe that things would never be serious. I know I have a lot of decisions to make. With everything that’s happened, and happening, I just need some time.”

“No one’s rushing you, baby. I know what I want. I’m not going anywhere.” Those beautiful, irresistible eyes winked at me. “If you need to figure it out on your own, I’ll let you. I’m not saying I’ll leave you alone, that’s just not in my nature, as you know very well. But I’ll be patient … somewhat. I’ll show you what the right answer is.” And there was that devilish smirk that got me every time.

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