“Where are we going,” she asked through a giggle.
He reached for her hand and entwined their fingers. “Be patient.” He led her up the stairs to the terrace where Fletcher and Clark had been earlier.
“Wow, this is gorgeous.”
“Look up.”
She did. “The stars are so bright. I feel like I can reach out and touch them.” She shivered.
“Are you cold?”
“Some.”
He slipped off his jacket and wrapped it around her shoulders. “This place has an amazing view.” The moon was so big and bright that it bathed her in a soft, almost ethereal glow. He placed his palm against her cheek, his rough hand in great contrast against her soft skin.
The night had gone quiet, the only silence that came when two people were consumed with each other. And he was completely devoured by her gaze.
The wind rustled nearby trees, the only sound outside of his racing heart.
Neither said a word as they stood close, eyes connected, a vibration between them.
She wrapped her arms around herself, the night air rustling the tendrils of hair that had strayed from the dark blanket of soft coils. “It’s a beautiful night.”
He nodded but it wasn’t the moon that had captured his attention. He couldn’t tear his gaze away from her. The light of the moon turned tendrils of her hair silver and her eyes dazzled. He wanted to pull her into his arms, but he feared he might ruin the moment.
Yet, he took the risk and moved a step closer.
Her chin came up, her eyes settled on him in an unspoken vow. He caught her scent carried on the wind and he inhaled deeply.
“Doesn’t this look cozy?”
Bear looked past Aasia to see Clark standing in the open glass doors, a scowl deconstructing his otherwise perfect complexion. He sized Bear up with a narrowed eye.
Aasia didn’t say a word, but Bear could sense that she wanted to unleash. He wondered what happened between her and the manager? She said she’d told Fletcher that Clark couldn’t be trusted, which Bear already knew. What did she knew that she wasn’t saying?
“What do you want, Deacon?” Aasia dripped disgust.
“What did you say to Bentley?” Clark said in a cracked voice made harsher by being drunk.
“Obviously you already know that I told him you couldn’t be trusted.”
Clark’s smirk turned into a full-blown frown. “You don’t know what you’re involving yourself in.” His eyes radiated heat.
“I have nothing to say to you,” she clipped.
“I have something to say to you.” Clark stumbled onto the terrace.
Bear took a step creating a wall between Aasia and Clark. “Don’t come closer, buddy.”
Clark traveled his wide gaze over Bear in lack of interest. “And who exactly are you?”
“Bear is my date,” Aasia blurted.
“You need educated, Aasia. You think I’m the master mind in all this?” Clark craned his neck to see Aasia. “I thought you were smarter than this. Do more investigating before you create ripples that will turn into killer waves.”
“You’ve had too much to drink.” Bear laid his hand on Clark’s scrawny shoulder.
With a puny laugh, Clark took a backward step. “Mark my words. The lid is off.” Then he turned and wobbled away.
