Page 46 of Where the Stars Heal

“Halle.” His voice comes out in a warning, and my eyes snap back to his.

He’s a guy, a very attractive guy that no doubt has had a tonne of experience. He probably has girls lined up for him here, waiting for their turn.Oh shit…What if he does have girls on rotation? The idea has a knot forming in my chest. If I don’t follow through, will he call one of them? Take her back to his place, or even to Hunter’s? The raw need behind his eyes screams at me to do something about it.

Asher’s hand grabs mine, linking our fingers together and pulling me from my spiral.

“Whatever’s happening in that mind of yours right now, forget it,” he says softly. “Don’t overthink this, sweetheart.”

“But… Don’t you need…” My words catch in my throat as I glance back down at his dick.

He brings our joined hands to his mouth, pressing a soft kiss to my knuckles under a coy smile. The gesture is so sweet, it’s unnerving. I’ve never experiencedsweetbefore.

“I’ve needed you every second of every day since the moment I laid eyes on you, baby. Every night, I go home and fuck my hand fantasizing about you, how you would look on your knees for me, bent over my bed…” A low groan falls from his lips. “Why do you think I haven’t stayed at Hunter’s since that first day we met?”

My lips part as my skin warms. He’s thought about me, goes home at night, and jerks off with images of me in his head.Why is that so hot?

“My turn will come, but when it does, it’ll be after I’ve looked after you in all the ways I’ve imagined because you’re mine now.” He leans in and kisses me softly before pulling away and turning back to the forgotten glasses of water.

21

SHE’S GOING TO HATE THIS

ASHER

“Do you think real love exists?” I look at my cousin from the corner of my eye. “You know, the kind that our parents are always saying is out there for us, the all-consuming love that makes you do crazy shit?”

Bringing the joint to my lips, I take a long drag, the smoke curling around me as I sink further into the couch and roll my head to the side to look at Aiden more closely as he packs his bong. Music thrums through my bones as a heavy weight falls over me. The blonde chick draped over his side, rubbing her tits all over his arm, makes me snicker as if that’s going to get his attention. Poor thing thinks she’s going to get laid tonight but he’s smoking the strong shit. He’ll be greened out in no time.

My head lolls back as I take in the other two girls grinding on each other in the far corner of the room. My dick twitches at their whimpers that slowly travel through the air to my ears.

“Mmm, nah,” I mumble, turning back to him, “that’s all fairytales and bullshit.”

Love like that isn’t real, and if it were, I sure as hell won’t ever find it.

I’m pulled from memories with a nudge to the arm. Jacestands beside me with a cold beer extended. Grabbing it, I nod in thanks and turn my attention back to Halle. She’s sitting with Ace, watching Madi and Tessa lose themselves to the music that’s pumping through the speakers in the backyard. A smile pulls at my lips as I watch her laugh, her cheeks taking on a pink hue as they try to pull her in to dance with them. But my girl’s a little shy right now, still reeling from our day at the bar and the line we crossed.

“Does he know?” Jace asks.

“Does who know what?” I reply, not taking my eyes off her.

The longer I stare, the more aware of me she becomes. I can see it in the way she pulls at her shirt, crosses her legs, and flicks her eyes around the place, avoiding mine at all costs.

“Does Hunter know you’re in love with Halle?”

My eyes snap back to Jace, finding him focused on the girls, the corner of his mouth twitching behind his beer as he takes a slow sip.

My grip tightens around my beer bottle as I lean back on the door. “Do you think real love exists?” I ask instead.

Aiden’s ghost sits heavy in my mind. Back then, I didn’t believe in love. In my hazy state of constant partying and having chicks throwing themselves at me, I never thought itcouldbe real. Real love was for fairytales. But as I stare at Halle across the yard, everything shifts. All I can see in the years to come is her—her smile, her laugh, the way her eyes light up. I want to be standing by her side when she lives life to the fullest. I want to open doors for her, to make her dreams come true. My heart races at the picture in my mind—her hand in mine as we walk down Main Street, our kids racing ahead, their laughter loud as they run toward their uncles and aunts.

A feeling that has always been so out of reach settles over me. It’s undeniable. Love isn’t a fairytale, love is her.

I glance over at Jace to find him staring at the girls with a longing expression. “Yeah, man, I do.” He sighs. “But you need to talk to Hunter before it gets out.”

My stomach twists with the urge to claim her, to make it clear in front of everyone that she’s mine. I want to pull her down onto my lap, wrap my arm around her, and keep her there, even if there’s another seat free. Kicking off from the door, I slap Jace on the back with a wide grin and head inside.

My steps falter as I take in the scene in front of me. The air inside feels thick and hot compared to the warm summer night I just left behind. Conversations buzz to my left and right, the sound of bottle caps untwisting, cheers, and laughter erupt from all around. My gaze darts around the house, scanning the crowd of people who are standing here partying.

What the fuck is happening?

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