Novels by StarsTouch pen

River’s POV“I want you badly,” I whispered, my hand still pressed against him.Daniel didn’t move.He stood in the doorway, breathing slow and tight, like he was weighing something dangerous.Then, finally, he spoke.“Inside,” he said. His voice was low. Firm. Final.I followed him in.The door shut behind me with a soft click.He didn’t touch me right away. He walked past me like nothing had happened, his back straight, shoulders tense. His voice stayed calm.“Shoes off.”I kicked them off quickly.He turned to me, eyes sharp now, darker than I’d ever seen them.“Jacket.”I peeled it off. My hands shook, but not from fear.From the heat.The need.I dropped it to the floor without thinking.Daniel stepped close. His hand came up, brushing the side of my face—not soft, but slow. His thumb dragged across my lower lip, and I trembled under the weight of his stare.“You’ve been thinking about this,” he said.I nodded.“Say it.”“I’ve been thinking about this. About you. For years.”His

River’s POV“Drink first. Questions later.” Noah handed me a red cup when I walked in.Lights flashed from the ceiling. The music was bass-heavy and fast. People laughed and shouted and danced like none of them had early morning classes tomorrow. The party was louder than I expected.I wasn’t even sure whose apartment this was.“Drink beautiful” “Don’t call me beautiful,” I said, taking the cup anyway.He threw an arm around my shoulder. “Drink up. Tonight we forget everything.”I didn’t ask what was in it. I just drank.It burned a little going down, but it didn’t take long before the heat spread through my chest, then my arms, then my head.Someone passed me a joint later, and I took a hit because it felt easier than saying no.Now I was warm and light and floating through this party like I didn’t have a heartache tucked deep in my chest.Noah was spinning in circles near the couch, laughing about something. I sat on the floor, leaning against the arm of the couch, another cup in m

Elliot’s POVLuciana was sitting in the passenger seat, legs tucked under her, sipping the last of her morning coffee. Her curls were tied back in a loose bun, and the soft morning light made her skin glow. We had music playing low from the car speakers—some calm acoustic playlist she liked. I didn’t mind it. It fit the mood.“I’ll be back in five,” I said, grabbing my jacket from the back seat.Luciana glanced at me, one brow raised. “Six.”I laughed. “I’m just letting him know we’re driving out today. It’s not a whole conversation.”She leaned her head against the headrest. “Sure. I’ll still be here when you get back. Me and my sad little coffee.”“Want a refill?”“Only if you want to stop at a gas station every thirty minutes.”I held my hands up. “Good point.”The building wasn’t far. Just a short walk across the lot and up the steps. Daniel—my dad—had his office on the second floor of the admin wing. Third door on the left. Always the same.The hallway smelled like old paper and

River’s POVThe sun came up like it always did.Too bright. Too fast. Too warm for how cold I felt inside.I didn’t sleep. I rolled from one side of the bed to the other, then to the couch, and then back again. Every hour passed slowly and heavy, like my bones had turned to stone.By the time I actually got up, my head felt foggy and my chest tight. My reflection looked like I’d fought a pillow and lost—hair a mess, eyes dull, skin pale in a way that reminded me of winter mornings.I didn’t bother fixing much. I pulled on jeans and a black T-shirt. Threw my grey hoodie over it. No cologne, no fuss. I didn’t feel like pretending today.I made toast and didn’t eat it. Brushed my teeth. Packed my bag. Left the house.The campus was already buzzing when I got there.People laughed in groups near the coffee truck. Someone played acoustic guitar near the big oak tree. Girls passed flyers for something about open mic night, and two guys walked by loudly debating a Marvel theory.Everything l

Daniel’s POV The airport was loud like it always was. Horns. Engines. Rolling suitcases. A baby crying in the distance. The automatic doors opened and closed every few seconds, letting in cold air from outside. I stood beside the car, leaning on the door with my hands in my coat pockets. My eyes moved through the crowd. People rushed by—some excited, some tired, all heading somewhere. Then I saw him. Elliot. He walked through the doors with a suitcase dragging behind him and a wide grin on his face. He looked older than when I saw him last. Taller maybe. Or maybe just more grown-up. But he wasn’t alone. Beside him was a girl. She was small and soft-looking. Her black curls bounced gently as she walked. She wore a pale green coat that looked too thin for the weather, but she didn’t seem cold. Her smile was quiet. Her eyes were dark and warm. She didn’t talk much as they walked, but she looked around with curiosity, like everything was worth noticing. They reached me, and Ellio

River’s POVI was lying on the couch, scrolling through my phone. My thumb hovered over Grindr for a long second before I tapped it open.There he was.GlazedDonut69.Still online.Still flirty.GlazedDonut69: So? You wanna come over? I got wine, candles, and absolutely no expectations.TwinkSpiceLatte: Candles? What is this, The Bachelor?GlazedDonut69: Only if you give me the final rose.I smiled. It wasn’t a real smile, but it was close enough.I stared at the screen for a full minute. Then I typed:TwinkSpiceLatte: Send your address. I’ll be there in 20.The second I sent it, my heart did a weird thing in my chest. Not panic. Not excitement either. Just a tight little squeeze like are you really doing this?I was.I needed to feel something. Even if it wasn’t real.Even if it didn’t last.Even if it made me feel worse after.He lived in a small apartment not far from the university. I changed into a pair of jeans, a clean shirt, and sprayed cologne even though I wasn’t sure why.I