Page 129 of Defend Her Heart

It’s been three months since we celebrated our marriage with our friends and family, and I hope this feeling never goes away. That all-consuming fire deep within my belly that craves to be near him at all times. It feels like we’re in high school all over again, never wanting to be away from each other, textingeach other when wedohave to be apart. Connor is still everything he was back then, but he’s also so much more.

He’s an adoring uncle. A record-breaking defenseman in the NHL. A role model.

My husband.

Every day feels like an adventure with him. Will it ever change? I’m sure it will. But for now, I’m soaking in every second of this spontaneous man sitting next to me.

“If you keep staring at me like that, I’m going to have to pull this car over and we’ll never get to where we’re going.”

He glances at me quickly, heat flaring in those gorgeous eyes.

“Don’t tease me with a good time, Super Star.” I wink, which causes him to laugh and shake his head at me, his eyes back on the road now.

Connor flips his blinker on which piques my curiosity. I’m unfamiliar with the exit we’re taking, and only become more confused when we pull off and there’s not a business in sight. We’re in the middle of nowhere.

“Where the heck are you taking me?”

His lips turn up into a grin again and he leans his head down to look out the windshield.

“Look at the sky, Aves.”

Turning my attention to the passenger window, I look up and gasp.

There aremillionsof stars painting the night sky.

Rolling down my window, I cross my arms and lean against the door, resting my chin on my hands as I continue to take in the beautiful scene.

We drive for about ten more minutes before Connor pulls down a dirt road that’s lined with trees, temporarily blocking my view of most of the stars above. I crane my neck out the window, trying to get a better look at where we’re headed.

And that’s when I see it.

Just ahead sits a tranquil, undisturbed clearing sitting beside a pristine lake.

Connor parks his truck, and before the engine is even off, I’m hopping out to get a closer look.

The luminous moonlight dances across the still water, making this remote lake feel like a hidden gem. It’s absolutely enchanting.

Connor loops an arm around my waist, pulling me into his side. I lean my head against his shoulder, and neither of us says a word at first. We simply take in the view in the comfort of each other’s touch.

“Come on.”

He steps away, but holds his hand out to me. I take it immediately, wondering what else he might have up his sleeve tonight. There go those damn butterflies that have taken up permanent residence in my belly ever since Connor’s been back in my life.

We make our way back toward the truck, but stop at the back. He reaches for the handle and drops his tailgate. I’m expecting him to grab something but he pulls me toward it and gestures to the bed of his truck.

“Up you go.”

I eye him suspiciously but don’t think twice. I lift my leg up, Connor supporting me the whole way, then climb into the back of his truck. Unsure of what to do, I stand there and throw my arms out to the side.

“Now, what?”

“I’ll be back.”

Connor jogs to the side of his truck, throwing open the back door. I stand with my hands on my hips, watching and waiting. He pulls out a giant duffle bag that’s filled to the brim with something, and then reaches in one last time, revealing a… note pad?

What the hell is happening?

My eyes track his movements until he’s standing at thetailgate again. He tosses the bag in and hoists himself up in one swift motion.