Her fingers burrowed so deep he was sure she drew blood, the same as he knew he’d drawn hers.
He shifted so he could touch her, his fingers rubbing at her clit.
Their gasps filled the air as their devotion filled their hearts as he recklessly fucked her beneath the stars that never quite shined, though his little star would never dim.
She burned so bright he knew he’d been singed. Seared. Scarred by her light.
They came apart together, like the bonds that held them shattered. They soared and flew. Stumbled through a faraway paradise that only belonged to them.
They clung to each other as they floated through the aftershocks. They both searched for the missing air, their chests heaving with fractured juts as they clung to the other.
Then Logan choked out a shocked, affected breath.
Because he loved her. Loved her in a way that he hadn’t believed possible.
She blinked up at him, her expression soft and awed. “Happy birthday, Logan.”
He let go of another disbelieving shot of laughter as he pecked a tender kiss to her lips. “Best birthday ever.”
Her demeanor shifted to worry. “How can you say that after what happened?”
Fingertips barely brushed over the welts on his face that he’d almost forgotten existed.
He edged back so he could meet her gaze. “Because I’m here, with you. And with you is the only place I want to be.”
She cast him a soft smile that hit him like wonder. “That’s the only thing I want in my life, Logan, is to find a way to be with you. I’ll convince my father. Somehow, I will.”
She offered it like an oath.
He took her hand and pressed her knuckles to his lips, then he tucked their joined fingers against his heart that battered in his chest. “We’ll find a way, Aster. No matter what happens, I’ll always find my way to you, Little Star. There is nothing in this world that could keep me away from you.”
She cupped his cheek, her voice a low promise. “My North Star. My direction. My heart’s destination.”
He smiled down at her, then he gently resituated her clothing, glancing up at her when he did. “I’m sorry if I hurt you.”
“You would never hurt me.”
He sat up, tucked himself back into his pants, and shifted so he could lean against the building. He situated her between his legs and pulled her back to his chest. Then he dug into his pocket and pulled out the necklace he’d had hidden there, not saying anything as he leaned forward and slipped the chain around her neck and fastened the hook at the back.
He glanced over her shoulder at the little star charm that rested just above her cleavage. It glinted and shined in the bare light that seeped through the leaves of the trees.
She touched it, her voice a thin strand of surprise. “Logan. What’s this?”
“Do you like it?” he whispered against her ear.
“I love it, but it’s your birthday.”
He pulled her closer, wrapped her up, and mumbled into the night, “And you, Aster Rose, are the only gift I want. My Little Star. Even if I can’t see you, I’ll know you’re there, and I’ll find my way to you.”
* * *
It was late when Logan pulled into the drive of the small house he shared with his brothers.
He was almost surprised to find both Trent and Jud’s bikes parked beneath the carport since they spent most nights at the clubhouse. Nathan’s bike sat on the other side of them in its normal spot.
He killed the engine and sat in the silence for a moment, gripping the steering wheel while a thousand emotions raged inside him.
Even with his face throbbing from the cuts and the blows, he couldn’t remember a day in his life when he’d felt better.