Page 64 of In the Stars

“You like stargazing?” I ask in surprise.

“Never actually looked at the stars. But it came with the yurt, and I figured you liked shit like that.”

I poke him in the side, and he yelps before laughing. “Yeah, so? You’ll see how fun it is tonight.”

“Don’t know about fun, but I’m here.”

The driver stops, then comes to the back to open the door for us. I try to open it myself, but he asks us to wait. It’s weird, but I allow him to do his job.

I’m blown away by our surroundings. Lush green trees, crisp-smelling air, trails I can see from where we’re standing, the beautiful lake about one hundred feet to my left. It’s all so gorgeous.

I tuck myself closer to Wesley and hug him hard. “This is perfect. Thank you.”

He turns me until I’m facing him. Framing my face with his large hands, he says, “I want to give you the world, Jaxon. This is just the beginning.” He kisses me so deeply my knees turn to jelly.

“I really love you,” I murmur, chasing his mouth to get one more kiss.

“Back at you, baby. Come on. The sooner we get checked in, the sooner we can explore shit.”

We go check in at the main cabin. The owner is an older couple, and they don’t recognize Wes, so he’s not held up signing autographs.

I’m not upset when people recognize him and want him to sign everything they shove in his face. He’s a global superstar. It would be weird if that didn’t happen. But I know sometimes he wants to move through the world unnoticed. I’m not sure that will ever happen, but I’m sure having a slice of it right now is pretty nice.

The gentleman that checks us in hands us a set of linens and says, “There are only two other guests assigned thisweekend, but most people stick to themselves when they visit. You’re welcome to start up the fire pit on your own, or we can have it ready for you at a certain time.”

“We don’t mind doing it,” I say. I’ve lit enough fire pits in my life to handle it. “Thank you.”

“You boys have a great time and thank you for visiting Hideaway Campgrounds.”

The yurt we’re assigned is directly beside a trail and maybe twenty feet from the lake. It’s the ideal location for hanging out around that fire pit near the shore, and it’ll be easy for us to walk out of our accommodations and right onto a trail.

We step inside, and in front of us is a king-sized bed, like twenty pillows—some on the bed and others placed on different spots on the floor—a chair, a large speaker, and a few nightstands.

Above the bed are what looks like trapdoors that will open up to the sky so we can peer up at the stars. The entire set up is fucking perfect.

In a low voice, I breathe, “Wow. I’ve never seen anything like this.”

“It’s kinda nice in here.” Wes drops our bags on the floor and turns in a slow circle. “If I had known camping was like this, I would have gone years ago.”

I snort. “Would you have?”

“Nah, probably not.”

Another laugh breaks from me as Wesley stalks over to me, arms outstretched. I squeal and run around the bed, evading his reaching hands. He growls and scrambles over the bed, grabbing me around the waist and bringing me down to the soft surface. I laugh raucously as he starts tickling me.

I move this way and that, trying to evade his tickling fingers, but it’s no use, he has me pinned and won’t let up.

Finally, I say, “Mercy, mercy. I give up.”

He bends down and kisses me with smiling lips, lingering for a moment. “I love when you look so happy.”

“You make me happy,” I whisper before I lean up and capture his lips with mine.

This kiss is different. I feel the heat of it coursing down my spine, spreading through my limbs. Wesley strokes my tongue with his slowly, like he’s memorizing my taste. I do the same with him, wanting more.

He maneuvers himself until he’s settled between my legs. Snatching his mouth from mine, he then pants against my lips, “Is this okay?”

“It’s perfect.”

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