Page 73 of Alaska Lights

“Does…it…” I stop speaking, wondering if I should say what I was about to. I tug the reins to the right, needing Mustache Man to follow the trail we have worn in over the years.

“Does it what?” Leo pushes.

“Does it bother you? Liking me. I know I was never in the cards, and you weren’t for me either, but I don’t care. You’re the only one I’ve ever felt like I needed, and that’s enough for me.”

“It’s enough for me too. Am I surprised? Yes.” His chuckle is carried to the stars as he looks up towards the sky. “I’m stunned. It almost feels like a dream. A very lucky, surreal dream.”

I turn his head, and our eyes meet, the honesty shining right through them. I slip my hand up his body, and I hold his face, swooping down for a kiss.

His fingers dig into my chest, matching my intensity with every motion of our lips.

I break away, needing a desperate gasp of air. It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell him I love him, but I’m afraid. I’m afraid it’s too soon for him. Afraid he might not say it back, and I know I shouldn’t be upset about it because it is so soon.

Can’t he feel it?

Never thought I’d ever be afraid again. Here Leo is, making sure I’ll have one thing to be fearful of for the rest of my life—losing him.

It’s been my goal to keep people at arm’s length so losing them doesn’t hurt. I’ve protected myself for as long as possible. Leo is here to pull down my defenses, crumble the walls I’ve built, and he’s opened my chest to make himself right at home.

Mustache Man comes to a natural stop since he is so familiar with the area.

“We’re here.”

“Already?” Leo leans his head against my shoulder again. “I felt like we just left.”

“It’s been a half hour. I’d take you to another area, but I don’t want to hurt Mustache Man’s back from our combined weight.”

He sits up and rubs his eye. “Seriously? I guess time flies when you’re relaxed and happy.”

I kiss his temple in agreement. “I’ll get everything ready. All you have to do is sit back and give me something pretty to look at.” I wink, slipping off the saddle.

“Finally, my meaning in life is simple.”

“It won’t take me but a few seconds.” I have a reason to use my abilities now. The sooner I get everything set up, the sooner I can spend time with my mate.

There’s this nervousness fluttering around in my stomach when it comes to Leo. Not in a bad way. A fucking excited, I need to get him to fall in love with me, kind of way.

I want tonight to be the start of the rest of our lives together. When he’s able to leave Dead Man’s Ranch, I want him to make the decision to stay.

With me.

Together.

Keeping track of a vampire is impossible. I can’t tell where he is because he is moving so fast. He creates a breeze, swaying the grass, causing the blades to rub together, creating a mellow hiss.

Last week, if someone told me I’d be falling head over heels for a vampire, I would have called them crazy.

I wonder what he expects tonight. I know how I want our night to end. My only hope is that he wants the same.

“Done.” Alaska wipes his palms together. “See? Not long at all.”

There’s a tent settled right on top of the hill where the stars seem to be within touching distance. There are a few blankets thrown down on the ground with pillows. A picnic basket sits in the corner.

And he already has a fire going. The smoke swirls up the sky, disappearing into the black and blues. The flames crackle and pop, the wood glowing a bright red.

Alaska stretches his arms out for me. “Come on, Honeybee. Let me lie you down so you can see the most beautiful night sky you’ve ever seen.”

I love it when he calls me Honeybee.