When Constellations Form (Light in the Dark Book 4) Read online

  He returns a few minutes later with our drinks and a slip of paper with our order number.

  I sip at the soda, trying to ignore the rumbling of my stomach.

  “How much longer until we get to where we’re going?” I ask.

  He shrugs. “A couple of hours.”

  “By a couple of hours, do you mean two or …?” He looks away. “Xander,” I whine.

  “It’s better if I don’t tell you.”

  “Ugh,” I groan, just as our order number is called. He goes to grab it and comes back with two cheeseburgers and two orders of fries.

  I grab my cheeseburger and bite into it, suppressing a moan. I must still make some kind of noise because Xander snickers.

  “So hungry,” I mutter. I haven’t eaten since breakfast, and I have no idea what time it is. Frankly, I don’t want to ask.

  I devour my cheeseburger and fries in record time, but I still feel hungry.

  “I’m going to go get a milkshake. Do you want one?”

  He shakes his head. “I’ll get it for you.” He wipes his hands on a napkin and hops up to get in line before I can blink.

  “I would’ve gotten it,” I call after him.

  “I know,” he mouths.

  It doesn’t take them long to make my milkshake. He sets the cup down in front of me and I grab it like someone’s going to snatch it from me.

  He laughs. “Eager, are we?”

  I smile around the straw.

  He finishes his meal while I sip on my milkshake. He doesn’t seem in a hurry to get to our gate, so I take my time. I end up only drinking half the milkshake and Xander finishes the rest.

  Before we leave the restaurant he slips the blindfold back on, along with the headphones.

  We wait outside our gate and board the second plane thirty or so minutes later.

  I settle into my seat and hope that I don’t die of boredom before we get there.

  Xander

  The plane touches down and Thea jolts awake, her hands reaching out blindly for something to grab onto. I take one of her hands in mine and she instantly calms.

  I don’t remove the blindfold or headphones. I know I’m dragging this out as long as possible, but she’ll thank me later.

  The plane taxis in and we wait to be able to deplane. When we finally can, I stand and grab my backpack, slipping it onto my shoulders, before helping Thea off the plane.

  I guide her to the baggage claim and wait for our bags. I can tell she’s growing more impatient by the minute, and I can’t blame her. She’s been traveling for approximately sixteen hours, but considering I took away sight and hearing from her, it probably feels much longer.

  I finally locate our bags and we wheel them outside to the taxi line.

  The man hops out to put our bags in and I help Thea into the car.

  I take the headphones off her and she immediately asks, “Can I see yet?”

  “Not yet,” I tell her.

  I’m aware she might kill me in my sleep for this, but once we get there I think she’ll be too blown away to care.

  She groans and crosses her arms over her chest. “How much longer?”

  “Not much,” I tell her.

  The taxi driver gets back in the car and I hand him a piece of paper with the address for our hotel on it.

  Once we get there, and to our room, then Thea can finally know where we are.

  The driver takes off, speeding down the road.

  The city is beautiful, and I’m almost tempted to take off Thea’s blindfold and reveal our destination now, but I know it’ll be worth it to wait. The view from our hotel is spectacular.

  I booked the honeymoon suite, and from the pictures I saw online, it’s worth the price tag.

  I’m thankful to make the kind of money I do, that it can afford me the opportunity to do these kinds of things, but more than that I’m just happy I’m doing what I love.

  Playing football for the Colorado Rebels is a dream come true.

  I’d always dreamed since I was a little boy that I’d get to play professional football, but I knew the chances of making it there were slim to none.

  But I did it.

  And I couldn’t be happier.

  The taxi driver stops in front of the hotel and I slip the headphones back on Thea’s head.

  She frowns but doesn’t say anything. I help her out while the driver sets our luggage on the ground.

  A bellboy immediately runs over, gathering up our stuff and putting it on a trolley. He follows us inside while we check-in.

  Once I have our room key we head to the elevator.

  The doors ding open and we shuffle inside. I press the button for the top floor and the elevator soars up.

  I wish Thea could see this—the hotel is beautiful, but I know she’ll see it later.

  Right now my goal is getting her into the room, and to a window, so she can finally see where we are.

  We reach our room and I let go of her, swiping the key card in the slot. It lights up green and I swing the door open. I help Thea inside and guide her to sit on the bed.

  “Don’t take it off yet,” I warn her, pointing a finger at her even though she can’t see.

  The bellboy unloads our bags and I tip him before he leaves. The door clicks shut behind him and Thea’s hands twitch impatiently.

  “Almost,” I tell her.

  I take her hands and urge her to stand then lead her over to the French double doors that lead to a much larger balcony than you usually see at a hotel. Perks of the honeymoon suite, I guess.

  I open the doors and the ocean breeze filters into the room, lifting her hair around her shoulders.

  “I swear to God if you’ve brought me all this way to throw me off the balcony …” she trails off.

  I fight laughter. “If I wanted to get rid of you there are much easier, less messy, ways.”

  Her lips twitch. She won’t admit it but she likes it when I play along with her dramatics.

  “Close your eyes,” I urge. “I’m going to take the blindfold off now, okay?”

  She nods. “They’re closed.”

  I slip the blindfold off and toss it behind me on the floor. I brush my lips over her ear and she shivers. “Open your eyes, sweetheart.”

  “Holy shit.”

  Her jaw drops and she takes in the view in awe. Even I have to admit it’s breathtaking.

  She steps forward, wrapping her hands around the railing. “The water … it’s so blue.” She turns to me with tears in her eyes. “Thank you. This is amazing.”

  I smile. I knew the trip would be rough, trying to keep it a secret from her, but it was worth it for this moment.

  She throws her arms around my neck and I jostle a step back before wrapping my arms around her. She’s small in my arms, but she fits against me just right.

  “I love you,” she murmurs, gazing up at me like I’m everything to her, and if that doesn’t make me the luckiest man alive, I don’t know what does.

  “I love you too.” I lower my head and kiss her.

  She moans, her body arching into mine. “You’re so getting laid tonight.”

  I laugh. “I didn’t have to bring you all the way to Greece to get laid.” I wink.

  She narrows her eyes. “Don’t get cocky on me now.”

  “Wouldn’t dream of it.” I grin back.

  She turns back to the view, taking in the deep blue water of the Mediterranean against the cliffs and white homes.

  “I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything more beautiful,” she breathes.

  I step up beside her. “I have.”

  She turns and looks up at me. “Really? What?”

  “You.”

  She tosses her head back and laughs. “That’s the cheesiest thing I’ve ever heard.”

  I shrug, fighting a smile. “It’s true.”

  She sobers, a blush staining her cheeks. “Thank you.”

  Sometimes it’s strange to look at my life and realize where I’ve ended up—th
at I got everything I ever hoped and dreamed of. It’s kind of crazy. I got my dream job, and the dream girl, and now I’m living the dream life.

  “Do you want to rest for a while?” I ask her.

  She shakes her head. “No, I got enough sleep on the plane. I’m hungry, what time is it?”

  “A little after four,” I answer.

  “Let’s get dinner then, and maybe we can head down the beach?” she asks.

  I nod, smiling. “That sounds good.”

  She pauses and looks down at her clothes. “On second thought, shower first and then dinner.”

  I laugh. “Whatever you want.”

  “I can’t be seen like this,” she tells me.

  “What’s wrong with that?” I point to her outfit.

  She breathes deeply. “I’m going to forgive you for saying that since you’re a boy, but the answer is everything.”

  “Boy?” I narrow my eyes. “How about all man?”

  She pats my stomach as she passes. “Don’t flatter yourself.”

  I sweep her up into my arms and toss her over my shoulder.

  “Xander!” she squeals in a high-pitched shriek. “Put me down!” she demands.

  “Take it back, baby.”

  “Never.”

  I drop her onto the bed and she bounces before I jump onto the bed beside her, caging her in with my arms. “I’m about to show you how much man I am.”

  Her lips threaten to rise into a smile. “Is that so?”

  “Mhmm.” I tuck my head into the crook of her neck, brushing my lips against the spot where her pulse thuds. She jumps slightly, and I smile in satisfaction.

  I glide my lips down her neck and over the curves of her breasts.

  Her fingers delve into my hair, tugging slightly.

  I inch my fingers under her top and push it up and then off. Her eyes darken as she watches me.

  She wraps her legs around my hips and tries to tug me closer. I capture her lips in mine and she moans. I love all the little sounds she makes, and the fact that even after being together for years she’s still affected by me. At times, I worried that maybe we’d grow bored, but if anything, the excitement has only built as we’ve grown older.

  I pull back and glide my hand down her face, just looking at her.

  She blinks up at me with wide hazel eyes. “What are you waiting for?” she asks breathlessly.

  “Shh.” I press a finger to her pink lips. “I want to look at my wife.”

  She shakes her head. “Why?”

  “Because I can.”

  I don’t think Thea’s ever realized how hard it is for me to leave her again and again. There are times when I don’t see her for weeks or even a month. Training season is the worst. She’s my best friend as well as my wife, so I miss her like crazy when I’m gone. I miss her smile, her laughter, and all the crazy things she says. She keeps me on my toes and I love that.

  She reaches up and touches her finger to the scruff on my cheek. “Are you done looking?” she asks a moment later.

  I nod and scoop her up into my arms, carrying her into the bathroom while she laughs.

  The bathroom is really nice with marble finishings, a soaking tub, and a walk-in shower.

  I set Thea down on the sink counter and go to turn on the shower.

  When I turn around, she’s already removed her clothes and my heart speeds up. She stalks toward me like a lioness about to devour her prey and I know I’m in trouble. I always have been when it comes to her.

  She grabs the bottom of my shirt, and I lift my arms so she can tug it off. I end up helping since I’m so much taller than her. The fabric falls to the floor and then she pushes my sweatpants and boxer-briefs off my hips.

  I step out of them and follow her into the shower. The glass shower wall is already foggy from the steam.

  Thea gives me a coy smile as she steps beneath the spray. I watch the rivulets of water course down her chest and stomach.

  I stalk toward her and her body tightens in anticipation.

  I pick her up and she wraps her legs around me with her arms around my neck. The water drenches both of us, the heat of it soaking into our skin.

  I lower my head and kiss her, sinking inside her at the same time. She cries out softly. Her hands slide against my slick shoulders and her eyes are lit with fire.

  She looks down, watching me move in and out of her and she moans. “Oh, God.”

  I press my forehead to hers, watching too, as her nails rake against my back.

  “Xander,” she moans. “Oh, fuck. Harder, please.”

  I press my face into the crook of her neck. “I love your dirty mouth,” I murmur, happy to oblige.

  Her breaths grow rapid and her eyes close. Her orgasm hits her and she shudders in my arms. I hold her, keeping her upright.

  Her eyes slowly blink open. “That was intense.”

  Her body is still quaking with aftershocks, pumping around me.

  We’re both drenched from the shower at this point, and her hair sticks to her forehead.

  She’s still beautiful. She always is.

  I take her hands in mine, pinning them above her head.

  “Oh, my God,” she moans when it changes the angle. Her head falls back against the wall and her eyes are at half-mast.

  I kiss her neck, collarbone, and the tops of her breasts before swirling my tongue around her nipple.

  “Are you close again?” I ask, feeling my own orgasm coming.

  She nods. “So close. Oh, God.”

  She shakes around me, her moans filling the room, and I fall right behind her.

  Our hearts beat a mile a minute and she looks at me like she’s in a fog. I lower her legs and she can barely stand, so I hold her hips.

  “I feel thoroughly and completely fucked,” she says with a smile.

  I laugh. “Good. Now come on, let’s get cleaned up and eat. I’m starving.” She blinks up at me, lost. “Turn around,” I command.

  She does as I ask and I grab the hotel’s sample shampoo bottle. I lather it into my hands and then into her hair.

  She moans, leaning back into me. “Do you remember our first time?” she asks suddenly. “Well, our second time, I mean. I forget about Vegas since later felt more real.” She laughs softly.

  “Yeah,” I remember.

  “You washed my hair first, just like this,” she says, and even though I can’t see her I know she’s smiling.

  “I did,” I agree.

  “I love it when you wash my hair. It always reminds me of that time.”

  “Me too.” I bend my head and kiss her shoulder before urging her back under the water to remove the soap. Thea closes her eyes and lets me rinse the shampoo from her hair before I add conditioner. Her hair is so long that I end up using the whole sample bottle of that—it’s not like I need it.

  I finish her hair and then do mine. While I do that she washes her body. I watch her, I can’t help myself, and her lips tilt up in a pleased little smirk.

  We get out and dry off before changing into new clothes.

  “I have to do my hair and makeup,” Thea tells me.

  I groan. “You’re going to take two hours.”

  “It doesn’t take me that long,” she defends.

  It so does, I think to myself.

  She commandeers the bathroom, which leaves the suite to me.

  Our room is large with lots of white, gray, and a blue that matches the color of the ocean. It’s pretty nice, and I like that we have room to move around. There’s even a small table and kitchen area, along with a couch, TV, and the bed, of course. I love that the bed is huge with a thick comforter. As much as I’d love to spend all our time in bed, we are in Greece.

  I flop on the bed and grab the remote, turning on the TV.

  I don’t understand a thing they’re saying, but it’s better than nothing.

  I hear the blow dryer turn on and I stifle a yawn.

  I cover my face with the crook of my arm. A little nap never hu
rt anyone …

  “Xander?”

  Thea shakes my arm and I come awake with a start. I look around wild-eyed, feeling lost.

  She stifles a laugh. “Have a good nap?”

  “Um, yeah.” I stretch my arms and roll my neck. “Are you ready to go?”

  “Yeah, but you’re not.”

  “Of course I am.” I look at her like she’s crazy as I smooth my hands down my shirt. “I’ve been ready. I was waiting for you.”

  She snorts. “Have you seen your hair?”

  “Obviously not. I was sleeping.” I squint at her.

  She tugs on my arm and I stand from the bed, following her over to a floor-length mirror decorating the room.

  “Oh, shit.” I blink at myself. “Yeah, that’s bad.”

  Napping on wet hair was not a good idea. My hair’s already a bit shaggy and unkempt but now it just looks like an animal tried to make a home in it.

  “I’ll fix it.”

  Thea drags me into the bathroom like an unruly child. She grabs her hairbrush and then motions for me to bend down.

  She brushes my hair down, but it hardly fixes the problem. She dampens some spots with water and brushes some more. She then grabs her hairspray and works some more magic before stepping back.

  “Much better.” She smiles at my reflection.

  I turn and touch my hand to her waist. “Thanks, babe.” I bend and kiss her. “You look beautiful,” I tell her. She’s changed into a fitted white dress and heels, with her sandy-colored hair loosely curled.

  “Thank you. You don’t look too bad yourself.” She winks.

  “So, did I do a good job packing your stuff?” I ask.

  She nods. “Surprisingly well. I was worried.”

  I laugh. “Don’t you trust me, sweetheart?”

  She rolls her eyes. “With my life, yes. To pick my clothes? Hell no.”

  I can’t help it, I laugh, because it’s such a Thea thing to say. I honestly shouldn’t be surprised. She takes her clothes seriously and has a huge addiction to shopping.

  She bounces out of the bathroom then—Thea rarely simply walks, she’s too hyper for that.

  She grabs her purse and heads for the door. “Let’s go.”

  I shake my head. Something tells me I’m going to spend my whole life chasing after this girl, and I couldn’t be happier to do it.