Page 168 of Scarred

“Careful, little moon,” he murmurs. “You know how much that smart mouth of yours turns me on.”

Turning, I walk backwards on the grass as a cheeky grin appears on my face. “I’m betting on it.”

Low laughter rumbles out of his chest as I pull him with me toward the dock.

“I want to show you something.”

When we reach the dock, I follow it out until we reach the end. My dad’s fishing boat sits up on the lift, and a small shed that matches the blue of my parents’ house sits to the side.

“My dad and Papaw built this for storage and made this bench, so my mom and Mimi would have a place to sit and wait for their fishing boat to come in.”

Taking a lighter out of the small box we keep by the bench, I light the tiki torches on either side of the shed to keep the bugs away. A slight breeze skims across my skin, cooling off the heat from the sun earlier.

Pulling him down with me, we settle on the bench and look out over the canal. The moon reflects over the water, and the night sky is full of stars as I peer up at them all.

“It’s beautiful out here,” he says, quietly, taking my hand.

“It’s perfect,” I breathe.

A white streak of light flashes across the sky, and I point excitedly.

“Did you see that? It’s a shooting star!”

He chuckles at my excitement. “I saw it. You'd better make a wish.”

“We both get one. You saw it too,” I nudge his shoulder with mine. “Close your eyes.”

“You can have mine. I don’t think I need a wish tonight.”

“You’re giving me your wish?” I ask before my brows pull together as I remember something Emma told me.

“Yeah,” he slightly chuckles. “Is that okay?”

“Yes. I…” I shake my head to clear it and smile. “I was just remembering a story that Emma told me about the night she and Noah had just met and were sitting on the beach talking. They saw a shooting star, and Noah gave her his wish too.”

“Hmmm. I guess Noah already had everything he wanted.”

His eyes stare into mine, and his hand reaches up to gently tuck a strand behind my ear.

“Close your eyes, little moon. You have two wishes to make,” he says softly.

I close my eyes, and I don’t even have to think about the two things I want most in this world.

“Done,” I whisper.

Before I can even open my eyes, I feel his lips graze mine as his hand sinks into my hair, cradling the side of my face.

“What did you wish for?” he breathes against my skin.

“If I told you it won’t come true,” I smile. “But I will tell you the moment it does.”

“Then, I’m just going to have to make sure it does.”

He kisses me again, and I sink deeper into his touch.

I swear, every time he kisses me, the world disappears.

Pulling me onto his lap, I straddle his legs, my fingers seeking his soft hair as I grasp the back of his head.