Page 52 of Where the Stars Heal

Halle’s in her element here. The unwavering focus she has on me, and how easy her instructions are to follow. This is her calling.

“Teaching art,” I blurt out. “That’s what you want to do?”

A soft smile blooms across her face. “My dream is to have my own art store like the one we went to in the town over from here. A place where I could hold art classes for kids who need their escape, a way for them to find peace in the chaos. And a safe place for the moms, too. A place where their kids can be in the afternoons without worry.”

Her words are filled with purpose, and it’s easy to see that this is her passion. In this moment, I know I’ll move mountains for this girl to make her dream become a reality.

Setting my sketchbook aside, I carefully take hers, placing it on the nightstand, not wanting to damage it. A flicker of doubt clouds her expression, an emotion I never want to see cross her face again. The urge to erase every trace of doubt she holds burns through me.

Shifting up to my knees, I close the distance between us. Her breath hitches the closer I get.

“We’re going to make your dream come true, baby,” I say with all the determination.

“You can’t promise me that.” Her hands cup my face as those sad gray eyes search mine.

But all she’ll find is unwavering belief, and if my words aren’t enough, I’ll pour every ounce of myself into proving it to her. Over and over again until she believes it herself.

Whatever she sees in my expression urges her forward. Her lips press against mine, and my heart beats in double time. My tongue sweeps out, brushing against her lips, wanting to be let in.

The second she opens, I groan, and her warm breath mixes with mine. The faint, lingering taste of wine from her last drink invades my mouth, and I need more—more of her, more of this. I need her beneath me.

My hands move to her shoulders, gently pushing her back onto the bed. Her hair fans out across the pillows, and I hover over her, drinking her in. Captivated by the way her chest rises and falls, the goosebumps that form down her arms when I lower myself closer to her, settling between her legs, feeling her warmth. My core aches, my cock hardens, I’m desperate to feel her.

Her lips twitch when her attention falls to my cheek, and I arch a brow in silent question.

She giggles softly, her finger tracing my cheek. “You have charcoal smudges from my fingers all over your cheek.”

Damn, she’s cute when she lights up. Without warning, I dive forward, burying my face in the crook of her neck, moving my head from side to side, and planting kisses along the curve of her neck.

She thrashes under me, her head shaking as loud laughter leaves her. The sound is intoxicating. She’s never laughed like this before. I can feel her belly tense under mine with the force of it. I stop my assault, inhaling deeply and giving her a moment to catch her breath. A grin spreads across my face as I take in her flushed cheeks and bright eyes.My girl’s ticklish.

The music from the house abruptly cuts off, replaced by loud shouts of disappointment. The sudden silence makes us both freeze, our heads turning toward the door. Car doors slam in the distance, and tires screech down the street.

“I think the party’s over,” I say, breaking the tension.

Halle’s legs wrap around my hips, holding me to her, and my pulse quickens, looking down at her. The devilish glint in her eyes excites me.

“Don’t go,” she says, lifting her hips to meet mine.

I sigh with frustration, torn between what I want and what I should do next.

“If we don’t go out there now, sweetheart, they’ll come in here.” I roll to the side and away from the temptation.

Jumping up from the bed, I grab her hands and pull her to her feet. She falls into my chest with a quiet yelp, and I waste no time capturing her lips in a promising kiss.

“Come on, let’s go see what the fam’s up to,” I say, dragging her out of the room.

“By the way,” I turn back to look at her before reaching the end of the hall, “I told Hunter about us, and he’s not mad,” I say casually.

I chuckle at the stunned expression Halle gives me just as Madi walks up to us with a giant bowl of popcorn cradled in her right arm. Without hesitation, she reaches past me, grabs Halle’s hand, and tugs her away from me.

“She was mine first, Asher. Go away,” Madi says, sticking her tongue out at me like we’re teenagers.

“Maybe… but she’s mine now,Mads.” I cross my arms and smirk, fully aware the nickname will rile her up enough to drop Halle’s hand.

She scowls, her irritation over the nickname radiating off her, and I smile widely at her, taking back Halle’s hand and guiding her over to the couch. I sit back, propping myself up with my legs outstretched, and gently pull her down so she lays between them, her head resting on my chest. The coffee table has been shoved aside, making space in front of the TV. The house is an absolute mess. Scattered beer bottles, crumbled plastic cups, and half-empty bowls of chips lay all over the place. The buttery scent of popcorn from Madi barely masks the lingering stench of sweat and alcohol.

Connor and Hunter walk over, their arms full of pillows and blankets, throwing them to the floor where Tessa starts arranging them into a makeshift bed. This is what Halle wanted tonight. Not a rowdy party, but a family night. I look to Hunter and give him a nod of appreciation for turning things around for his sister. He shakes his head, mouthing,All Connor,before settling down next to Madi and stealing ahandful of popcorn from the bowl. The sharp glare she shoots him makes my insides tighten.

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