Page 66 of Rescuing Mia
I give him a small smile, squeezing his hand. “I know. And I’m trying, but some habits are hard to break.”
And my secrets could kill him.
He nods, lifting my hand to his lips and pressing a gentle kiss to my knuckles. “I’m here whenever you’re ready.”
The sincerity in his words, the warmth of his touch, cracks open something inside of me.
For the first time in years, I feel a glimmer of hope, a sense that maybe, just maybe, I don’t have to face the world alone.
But even as I let myself lean into that feeling, the rational part of my brain reminds me of the secrets I still carry, the danger that chases me.
What am I going to do once we dock in Sydney? Will there be another assassin waiting for me?
I can’t let Rigel get too close, no matter how much my heart yearns for his comfort and understanding.
I can’t risk him getting caught in the crossfire.
Rigel opens his mouth to press further, but thankfully, Pete chooses that moment to join us at the table.
“Mind if I sit?” he asks, his booming voice cutting through the tension.
I force a smile, grateful for the interruption. “Of course not, Pete. Please.”
As Pete launches into a story about one of his many dives, I allow myself to relax now that the focus shifts away from me and my past.
But I still feel Rigel’s gaze on me, heavy with unasked questions.
The rest of dinner passes in a blur of forced laughter and stilted conversation. By the time we finish our dessert, the strain between Rigel and me is palpable.
As we leave the dining room, Rigel takes my hand, his fingers intertwining with mine.
“I can’t help but want to know all of you. Someday soon, I hope you’ll realize you can trust me with anything.”
I swallow hard, my throat tight with emotion. “I want that too, but there are some things… Some parts of my life that I’m not ready to share. Not yet.”
He nods, his thumb brushing over the back of my hand. “I understand. Just know that whenever you’re ready, I’m here to listen.”
We make our way to the top deck, the tension between us easing slightly in the cool night air. The sky above us is a tapestry of stars, the Milky Way a shimmering ribbon of light.
“Look,” Rigel says, pointing up at the sky. “A meteor shower.”
I follow his gaze, my breath catching in my throat as I watch the streaks of light dance across the sky. It’s a moment of pure magic, a reminder of the beauty and wonder that exists in the world, even in the darkest of times.
Rigel pulls me close, his arms wrapping around my waist. “Make a wish,” he whispers, his breath warm against my ear.
I close my eyes, letting myself get lost in the feeling of his embrace. I wish for courage, for strength, for a way out of the tangled web of secrets and lies that I’ve woven around myself.
But most of all, I wish for a future with Rigel by my side—a future filled with love, laughter, and endless adventures.
A future I can never have.
As the last of the meteors fades from the sky, he turns me in his arms, his hand cupping my cheek. “Mia,” he murmurs, his voice low and intense. “I know there are things you’re not telling me, and that’s okay, but I want you to know that no matter what happens, no matter what challenges you face, I’m here for you.”
And then he’s kissing me, his lips soft and sweet against mine. Imelt into the kiss, pouring all the love and longing I feel into that single moment.
The kiss quickly deepens, becoming more urgent and passionate. Rigel’s arms tighten around me, pulling me flush against his body. The heat of his skin sears through the thin fabric of our clothes, setting my nerve endings on fire.
His lips move with a hunger that matches my own, each kiss igniting a fire within me that threatens to consume every rational thought in my mind. I thread my fingers through his hair, tugging him closer as I surrender to the overwhelming desire that pulses between us.