BIRDIE | NH |

EIGHTEEN

Wren

"Did you have a good night?"

Niall wraps his arm around me and lets it rest on my collarbone, his fingers playing with the soft waves in my hair as he stands behind me.

Nodding, I let myself lean into him as we stand out in his backyard while Cal runs around and the sounds from the heated pool meet the slight chill in the air. "I always have a good time with you."

"My girl." He says all while he presses a kiss to the top of my head.

As much as I would never admit to being nervous, my stomach was in knots at the idea of tonight, of spending time with people I didn't know outside of an event that required a black tie dress code.

I was nervous for nothing though because everyone got along and I can't remember the last time it felt so good to just be around other people. Something I've learned more and more, especially recently, is that when you let people in and let them close they can sometimes feel more like a family than the family you were given.

After tonight I even have plans to go out with just the girls and I swear it made me feel so happy that I could have levitated home if it wasn't for Niall's hand on my thigh. All night long I could feel his gaze on me and everytime that I met his eyes it was like fire racing across my skin.

"Is that what I am to you?" I turn around to face him. "Your girl?"

Leaning down, his lips find mine. "Yeah, you are."

He kisses me like he couldn't imagine kissing anyone else. I can't help it when a small moan slips from my lips, giving him the opportunity to find my tongue with his own.

Our kiss is messy and hot.

"God, Wren." Niall's hands slide under my shirt to grip my waist. "All I've been able to think about is getting you alone— Touching you."

My lips travel across his jaw and when I tug the small gold hoop in his ear, he groans. "Then touch me."

"You want my hands on you?" Cupping my breast, my back arches when his thumb teases my nipple through the thin lace.

Nodding, I fist the material of his shirt. "Yes, please."

Niall gives me a mischievous grin for just a moment before bending down and picking me up, throwing me over his shoulder and making his way towards the oversized patio furniture.

"Niall!" Laughing, I swat at his ass. "Put me down!"

He sits me down in front of the chair, jutting his chin towards it. "Lay back for me."

"What? We are literally outside!" My laughter continues.

Crouching down, he grabs my foot and works off my sneaker before tossing it behind him. "I said lay back, Wren. Don't make me repeat myself."

I swallow down my words as he gets off my other shoe, using my hands to move myself backwards, keeping my eyes on his in the process. "I'm sorry."

"Don't apologize." He smiles, pressing a kiss to my lips. "You didn't do anything wrong." His hands slide up my legs until they find the button of my jeans. "Can I?"

Looking up at me through his thick, dark lashes, the moon makes his blue eyes even more dreamy than they normally are.

"Yes." Leaning back on my hands, Niall undoes the button and pulls the denim off my legs.

He presses his lips to the inside of my ankles while his fingertips move across my skin, his blunt nails digging in just enough to make my back arch towards him.