Page 130 of Defend Her Heart

I’m about to ask what is going on here, but he unzips the bag and unpacks a giant fuzzy blanket. Before I can take it from him, he tosses it as hard as he can at my face, catching me off guard.

“Stop gawking, Mrs. Smith.”

I slide the blanket down to see Connor is holding a pillow now. He stands and walks toward me, placing the pillow against the back of his bed, then gestures for me to sit.

“Get comfortable, Aves. The show’s about to start.”

Show? What show?

I’m confused as hell but my heart is racing in my chest, causing my smart watch to vibrate, notifying me of my increased heart rate.

Connor reaches into the back pocket of his jeans and pulls out his phone. He flashes me the screen, showing me he also got the alert.

“Well, you’re acting all mysterious. Can you blame me for getting excited?”

He crawls toward me now. I’ve just finished spreading the blanket over me, so I lift it up as an invitation. Connor slides in and wraps his arm around my shoulder.

“I know how you like surprises, but I didn’t think it was that easy to get you all hot and bothered.”

I pull back and swat his chest. “Did you just call me easy?”

Connor throws his head back and laughs. “I mean, I didn’t intentionally. But now that I’ve replayed it in my mind, it did kind of sound like that. Sorry, baby.”

He pulls me back into him and kisses the top of my head. I melt into his chest and move my attention back up to the night sky in front of us.

My eyes move from one constellation to another until I finally spot it. A slow smile creeps on my face at the same time Connor lifts my arm to his lips. He places featherlightkisses on each freckle as my eyes stay locked on The Big Dipper.

How is this my life?

“Is this the show you were talking about? It’s absolutely breathtaking out here. I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many stars before.”

I feel Connor shift behind me, no doubt tilting his head to enjoy the scenery.

“Not quite.”

Confused, I push myself up and tuck my legs under me, turning my attention to him.

“What do you mean, not quite?”

Connor pulls out his phone again, checking something on an app I’m unfamiliar with. He scrolls for a minute and taps on something, then without a word, shoves the phone in his back pocket again.

“Should be any minute now.”

I scrunch my brows, trying like hell to figure out what the heck he’s talking about.

“Is there a meteor shower or something tonight?”

“Nope.”

“A strawberry moon?”

“Nope.”

He doesn’t even glance my way, but I’ve yet to take my eyes off of him. I’m about to demand he tell me what’s going on when I see his eyes widen and his mouth stretch into a full-toothed smile.

“You’re missing it, Aves.” Finally, he moves his gaze from the sky to me. “Look up, baby.”

Slowly, I tilt my head up and I see what made Connor smile so big.