Page 61 of Stargazer

I was laying on my back, my legs still entwined with his even as he sat up, watching me with admiration and awe. His eyes seemed to sparkle with elation.

“Can I take you out?” He took his shot. “Tomorrow evening?”

I wasn’t sure what I’d tell Griffin, but the others were here now and they could keep him distracted. I owed it to River to give him time. To mend what was between us.

So I nodded. “Of course.”

Griff opened the front door when it rang before I could. I was shocked to see him shirtless, and my questioning look in his direction said as much. I had to push past him, ducking under his arm to let myself out, since he refused to budge to let me through.

I scowled at him.

He ignored it.

“Don’t you have somewhere to be? I thought you were hanging out with the Knights?” I snapped.

He looked down at me, completely ignoring the Alpha who patiently waited at the doorstep.

“I’m heading over in a bit.” His voice was a quiet caress but the drawl of it made the raspiness of his timbre more apparent. “I had things I needed to see to first.” Silver flashed across his eyes as he took me in and held me hostage in his gaze.

I had chosen an olive satin mini dress for my date tonight, with a balconette neckline that pulled in at my waist and fell delicately to my upper thigh. My hair was styled into a low bun and minimal gold jewellery accented the look. It had been a while since I’d gotten dressed up.

Rolling my eyes, I pushed to Riv. I was hoping Griff would be gone well before the Alpha had arrived, but of course he would find any excuse to stay and mark his territory.

Putting my hand on River’s chest, I turned him around.

“Don’t be too late, kids,” the hunter called after us mockingly.

I didn’t see if River bothered to level the Knight with a look. I didn’t want to see. Instead, I grabbed River’s hand and led him in the direction of his car.

“Just ignore him,” I said loudly enough for Griff to hear.

When Riv opened the door for me, I finally looked at him properly. He was in light-coloured loose pants and a brown knitted sweater. His smile glittered.

“You’re radiant, Vee. Always have been.”

I blushed and said, “Where are we going?”

His silky-smooth voice embraced me. “You’ll see.”

We made idle conversation as River drove and I tried to piece together where we were heading. We’d been everywhere in this town. There were only so many options.

At the destination we soon stopped at, I tilted my head in surprise, quizzically taking in the features of the familiar building to make sure it was in fact what I thought.

Sage’s crystal store.

“We’re going to Sage’s place?” I questioned, more than a little confused.

“We’re taking over Sage’s place,” he replied cryptically, excitement clear at my puzzlement. It wasn’t often that this male surprised me after years of being together.

“I’m confused.”

“You’ll see.” It was the only answer I got as he left the car, coming to my side to open my door again.

He took my hand in a gentlemanly fashion and grinned when I stepped out before leading me through the worn green door to her shop.

I was overwhelmed with what I saw when he held the door open for me.

The shop had been transformed.

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