Page 60 of Rescuing Mia
I love him.
Which is silly. We’ve only known each other for a few days, but somehow, it feels like I’ve always known him.
No matter how much it hurts, I have to let him go.
And I hate the way I ran away with a sniffle.
I take a deep breath, composing myself before stepping back out onto the deck. The salty sea breeze caresses my skin, and I let the rhythmic sound of the waves soothe my troubled thoughts.
As I return to Rigel, I spot him leaning against the railing, his gaze fixed on the horizon. The setting sun casts a warm glow on his features, highlighting the strong lines of his jaw and the gentle curve of his lips.
My heart aches at the sight of him, at the knowledge that our time together is fleeting, but I refuse to let my fears and secrets taint the precious moments we have left.
Plastering a smile on my face, I approach him. “Hey, you. Sorry about that. I just needed a moment.”
Rigel turns, his eyes softening as they meet mine. “No worries. I’m just glad you’re back.”
“Me too.” I bump my shoulder playfully against his. “Now, where were we? Reminiscing about our adventures so far, right?”
“Ah, yes.” Rigel grins, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “The dives, the laughs, the…” He trails off, a mischievous glint in his eye.
Heat rises to my cheeks as I remember our charged moments. “Thesnark shack?” I supply, fighting back a smile.
Rigel laughs, the sound warm and rich. “I’m never going to let you live that down, you know.”
I shove him playfully, enjoying the easy banter between us. “Not a chance.”
He leans closer, his breath tickling my ear. “But I think it’s adorable.”
My heart stutters at his proximity, at the tender sincerity in hisvoice. I’ve tried to keep a safe emotional distance, but Rigel has a way of tearing down my walls with his steady presence and easy affection.
“You’re not so bad yourself,” I murmur, holding his gaze. The urge to close the distance between us, to taste his lips again, is almost overwhelming.
But I resist, turning back to the sunset. As much as I long to lose myself in Rigel, I can’t afford to forget the reality of my situation. The secrets I carry, the danger that chases me. It’s not fair to drag him into my mess.
Still, as we sit in comfortable silence, watching the fiery sky melt into the sea, I can’t help but savor this stolen moment of peace in his company. For now, it’s enough.
The next morning, the sun casts a warm glow across the top deck of theSerenityas Rigel and I settle at a table for breakfast. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and sizzling bacon fills the air, mingling with the salty tang of the ocean breeze.
I take a sip of my coffee, savoring the rich flavor. My gaze keeps drifting to the other passengers milling about the deck. They laugh and chatter, their faces alight with carefree joy. A pang of envy twists in my gut as I watch them, wishing I could let go of my worries and embrace the moment as easily as they do.
“Looks like fun, doesn’t it?” Rigel’s voice pulls me from my thoughts. He nods toward the ship’s slide, where a group of passengers are lining up for their turn.
I follow his gaze, watching as a young woman squeals with delight as she plummets down the forty-foot slide, splashing into the crystal-clear water below. “It does,” I admit, a wistful smile tugging at my lips. “Sometimes I wish I could be that fearless.”
Rigel studies me for a moment, his expression thoughtful. “You know, we could try something a little less intense. How about snorkeling?”
I blanch at the suggestion, my stomach churning with sudden nerves. “I don’t know, Rigel. I’m not exactly comfortable in the water.”
“Ah, right. I forgot you’re asnark shack.” Rigel’s lips quirk into a teasing grin.
“Har har.Very funny.” I roll my eyes, fighting back a smile.
“But seriously, Mia, you’ve got nothing to worry about. I’ll be right there with you, and I promise I won’t let any sharks nibble on your toes.”
“That’s not exactly reassuring,” I mutter, picking at the remnants of my breakfast.
“Hey, look at me.” Rigel’s expression softens, and he reaches across the table to take my hand.