Page 100 of A Summer of Stars

Now she stood several inches shorter, undoing the buttons on my shirt. The needy movements of her lips slowed as she struggled. I took over, undoing the buttons quickly, and throwing the shirt somewhere behind me.

A groan left my throat as she lightly traced the shape of my shoulders and chest. But just as quickly, I was swallowing the same noises as I found the zipper of her dress. Every muscle in my body was tense with control as the skin of her back became exposed, as I tried not to come off as a frantic animal that needed to bite her.

“Luna,” I muttered, but it sounded unkempt. I was an absolute mess. She made a mess of me.

She took that as an invitation to do as she pleased, pulling me toward the bed. She leaned over me, brunette strands swaying back and forth. A little detail I’d never take for granted.

My favorite details were always the heavy looks she granted me when we were alone, and the small jolts in her step when I ran my fingers down her arm to grasp her hand. But a close third was the curve of her lower back that peeked out of the dresses she enjoyed wearing. Or the dip from her hip to her waist that made the perfect place for my hand to rest.

“I’ve thought about this more than I’d like to admit,” I said, my eyes roaming over her.

Delight seemed to spread across her face. She was so beautiful. I wanted to tell her over and over again.

And I did. I whispered it as I traced her collarbone. I murmured it against her skin as I pressed my lips against the rise and fall of her chest. And I said it like it was a prayer until we were both fast asleep.

“You’ve bought all of these this month?” I asked, admiring the small ceramic fish on her windowsill, one of several trinkets, holding it up in the morning light.

“Why do you make it sound as if I have a shopping problem?” she argued. I could hear the smile in her voice without turning. I couldn’t help but turn anyway, though.

She propped her head up on her hand, her elbow resting on the pillow in our—her bed. Large, tousled waves of hair fell along either side of her face. Her lips were naturally tinted like cherry red wine. The same way they had tasted.

Thiswas why I had to separate myself. I felt starved when not touching her. I needed to get a grip. Which was why I sat on the carpet, in between the bed and the window.

“I’m not.” I laughed. “I just had to make sure you weren’t receiving all these gifts from other men.”

Her eyebrows rose. “Ah, worried about other men, I see.”

I let my gaze weigh on her. “Not at the moment, no.”

“You’re very charming. You must get that often.” She raised her eyebrows teasingly, perching her chin on the palm of her hand. The charms on her bracelet danced together as they slid down her arm.

“You really do take me for a playboy, don’t you?” I said, putting the small ceramic down.

She raised her hands. “That’s not what I said!”

“That’s what you were trying to say!”

“Okay, well, maybe it is!” She shrugged her shoulders, her face dropping to abut am I wronglook.

“You’re terrible, you know that? You invite me into your room, take advantage of my body, and then call me a playboy! Who treats their guests like this?”

Her elbow gave out, and her head hit the pillow as she erupted with laughter. The duvet over her chest rumbled. It was impossible not to laugh with her.

“I”—inhale—“couldn’t”—inhale—“not”—inhale—“let you in.” She calmed her laughter and turned toward me, still lying on the bed. “You were going to haunt me for ruining your shoes if I didn’t.” Her straitlaced, serious face slowly transformed into a cheeky smile.

“That’s it, I’m going back to my room.” I stood and—

She grabbed my hand before I could even walk by the bed, pulling me toward the mess of sheets. I accepted her attempt and fell beside her. Her hair brushed my cheek as I pressed a kiss against her throat.

“I’ll stay on one condition,” I whispered into her neck.

“What?” she hummed.

“Tell me I’m the hottest man you’ve ever seen.”

She vibrated under me with laughter. “You’re ridiculous.”

I pushed myself up from the mattress and straddled her, placing a hand on either side of her head. Her eyes darkened. I leaned down and kissed her ear. “Ridiculously hot? I know you want to say it.”