Chapter 26
Chapter Twenty-Six
MIA
The next evening, Rigel and I share a quiet dinner in the ship’s dining room. Despite the abrupt conclusion of our kiss, the conversation flows easily, punctuated by laughter and inside jokes. However, all is not well. As we enjoy each other’s company, questions brew in Rigel’s eyes.
Across the room, I catch Jessica and Samantha whispering to each other, their gazes flickering between Rigel and me. Their jealousy is palpable, and I can’t help but feel a twinge of satisfaction knowing that Rigel only has eyes for me.
“Tell me more about your life back home. What do you do for a living?” Rigel takes a sip of his wine, his gaze intense and probing.
“Oh, you know. Boring office job. Nothing too exciting.” I hesitate, my mind racing to come up with a plausible story. It’s not a lie, but it’s also not the truth.
“Really?” Rigel raises an eyebrow, sensing my evasion. “What kind of company do you work for? What does your day look like?” He’s digging, looking for information.
I don’t blame him, but I continue to deflect. I shift uncomfortably in my seat, feeling the weight of his questions.
“It’s a small company. I spend most of my day behind a computer, crunching numbers.” Again, it isn’t a lie, but it’s also far from the truth. I shrug and studiously avoid his gaze.
Rigel nods, but he’s not convinced. Desperate to change the subject, I turn the conversation back to him.
“What made you fall in love with the ocean?”
“No, you don’t. No more deflecting. Tell me about yourself. I’m eager to know more.”
“My life is—boring.”
“I don’t believe that.” He leans forward, his eyes narrowing. “What about your family? You haven’t mentioned them at all.”
My heart constricts at the mention of my family. Images of my parents flash through my mind—memories I’ve tried hard to bury.
“There’s not much to tell,” I say, my voice strained. “My father was a diplomat. My mother was a biomechanical engineer working in Taiwan. They met, married, and had me.”
“Was?” Rigel’s brow furrows, and he looks at me with compassion. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t know he was gone.” He senses there’s more to the story but doesn’t press.
In an odd moment of wanting to share these bits and pieces of myself with him, I tell him what I never speak of to anyone.
I take a deep breath, weighing how much to reveal. “My father… He died when I was young. It was sudden and unexpected. There was a break-in at our home, and he was killed. There were rumors that he was considered a political dissident, but I never knew the truth.”
Rigel reaches across the table, his hand covering mine. “I’m so sorry. That must have been incredibly difficult.”
I nod, swallowing past the lump in my throat. “It was. After that, it was just my mother and me. She raised me on her own, which is why my English is as good as it is. But then, when I started college, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She fought hard, but in the end, it wasn’t enough.”
“You’ve been through so much. Any siblings?” Rigel says softly, his thumb stroking the back of my hand.
“I wish. One family. One child.” I shake my head and cast my gaze down. “My father, despite what people say, was fiercely loyal but always hoped for a son. I was a disappointment to him.”
“I can’t imagine how tough that must have been, losing both your parents like that.”
I shrug, trying to play off the ache in my chest. “It was the hand I was dealt. I learned to rely on myself, to keep my head down and focus on my studies.”
Rigel’s eyes search mine, a flicker of understanding passing between us. “You don’t have to bear it all alone. Not anymore.”
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. I melt 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.
His touch is electric, sending shivers down my spine and awakening every sense within me. Our bodies mold together in a perfect fit, every curve and line aligning as if they were made for one another. The world around us fades away, leaving only the two of us standing on the precipice of something wild and untamed.
I press my body closer to his, feeling the hard planes of his chest beneath my fingertips. His hands roam over my body, tracing every dip and curve with a reverence that leaves me breathless. The heat between us builds with each passing second, drawing us inexorably closer to the edge of reason.
And then, as if unable to resist any longer, our lips part for a brief moment before crashing back together in a desperate frenzy. The taste of him is intoxicating, a heady blend of desire and need that drives me to the brink of madness. In this moment, there is only him and me, bound together by an unbreakable thread of passion that defies all logic.
I gasp against his lips as he pulls me impossibly closer, his body a solid wall of heat and want against mine. A low moan escapes my throat, mingling with our ragged breaths as we give in to the primal urge that courses through our veins.
My hands slide up his chest and into his hair, tugging him closer, desperate to eliminate any space between us. He groans into my mouth, his tongue tangling with mine in a sensual dance that leaves me breathless and aching for more.
Rigel’s hands roam over my body, leaving trails of scorching heat in their wake. Every touch, every caress, is electric, igniting a hunger deep within me that I’ve never felt before.
His fingers trace the delicate curve of my neck, sending a shiver down my spine that reaches the very core of who I am. I can’t help but moan softly as his touch sends sparks of desire coursing through me. Rigel’s eyes lock onto mine, an unspoken promise of pleasure and pain, a potent cocktail of emotions that intoxicates me with every passing second.
He slowly drags his fingers down my arm, leaving goosebumps in their wake. The way his fingers glide over my skin along the sensitive planes of my body sets me ablaze with insatiable desire. My heart races, my breaths grow shallow, as anticipation fills every cell of my being.
I lose myself in the sensation of his lips on my skin, his fingers tracing the curves of my body. It’s overwhelming, all-consuming, a perfect moment of passion and connection that I never want to end.
He reaches my waist, his fingers dipping beneath the hem of my shirt, barely grazing the contours of my stomach. The sensation is exquisite, a gentle reminder of his power over me. He pulls me closer, his body crushing against mine in a passionate embrace. His lips find mine, and the kiss is everything I never knew I needed.
It’s a kiss that sets the world on fire, a fusion of two souls seeking refuge in each other’s arms. The heat of his mouth consumes me as he deepens the kiss, his tongue sliding across my lips, asking for entry. I welcome him with open arms, allowing him to explore the darkest corners of my soul through the most intimate of connections.
As his tongue explores my mouth, my body responds in kind. My heart beats faster, my pulse quickens, and a wave of desire crashes over me. My hands find their way to his shirt, tugging at it impatiently, desperate to feel his skin against mine.
Rigel breaks the kiss, a smirk playing on his lips as he removes his shirt, revealing a sculpted chest glistening with a sheen of perspiration.
His eyes pierce into mine, a challenge in their depths, daring me to look away. I can’t for fear of losing the connection that has awakened something deep within me. Rigel leans forward again, his lips capturing mine in a passionate embrace once more. This time, the kiss is more possessive, more primal, as if he’s staking his claim on me.
His hands find their way back to my body, tracing the curve of my back. I gasp ever so slightly, the anticipation of his touch consuming me. Rigel’s fingers grip my hip, pulling me closer, and then slowly trace down along my inner thigh. His touch is like a brand, igniting a fire of desire that leaves me breathless and desperate for more.
His fingers tease my skin, leaving a trail of tingling sensations that make me shiver. He knows exactly how to make me squirm, how to make my body respond to his touch.
I want him.
I need him.
My eyes flutter shut as his fingers trace ever closer to my core, my heart pounding in my chest, my breath quickening.
His fingers brush against the delicate fabric of my panties, sending heat curling through my body. He knows exactly what he’s doing, and I want him to continue. I trust him completely.
His fingers slide under the elastic, brushing against my most intimate parts, sending shivers of pleasure coursing through me. I moan softly, my head falling back as I surrender to the ecstasy of his touch. Rigel’s other hand moves to cup my breast, his thumb grazing over my sensitive nipple. I arch my back, pushing myself against him, needing more.
“Spend the night with me.” His voice, husky and raw, sends another cascade of shivers down my spine.
I stare into his eyes, lost in their depths, searching for any sign of hesitation or doubt. But there is only desire, a fierce and all-consuming hunger that mirrors my own.
Rigel leans in closer, his lips inches away from mine. The warmth of his breath on my skin sends shivers of anticipation rippling through me. The tension between us is palpable, a silent promise that we will surrender to our desires.
For now, under the stars, in Rigel’s arms, everything else fades away. The secrets, the danger, the uncertain future—none of it matters.
Only this: the heat of our bodies, the intensity of our desire, and the unspoken love that flows between us like a current, pulling us deeper into each other with every passing second.
I wish we could stay in this moment forever, lost in the perfection of our embrace, and the world reduced to nothing but the feeling of his skin against mine.
Our time together is running out. The secrets I carry, the danger that chases me… It’s only a matter of time before it all catches up to me. When it does, I’ll have to let Rigel go, no matter how much it breaks my heart.
He pulls me in for another kiss, wanton and desperate to take this below, where we can finally be intimate.
Our mouths melt together in another soul-scorching kiss filled with passion and longing. Our tongues dance with each other, exploring every nook and cranny of our desire, tasting the sweetness of each other’s mouths.
I should stop this.
I should resist, but the pull of this man is too strong. I want him, need him, and the thought of leaving is unbearable.
He breaks the kiss, gazing deeply into my eyes, his expression a mix of desire and unbridled lust. The longing in his eyes is mirrored within me.
I don’t want to stop this, but it’s not fair to him if I pretend we have a future.
We don’t.
Our time together is limited.
Measured in days.
He looks at me, his eyes filled with sadness and unspoken emotions as if understanding the torrent of emotions rushing through me. The weight of my unspoken words hangs in the air between us, heavy and almost painful.
I trace the curve of his jaw with my thumb, loving the way the stubble rasps against my skin. I run my fingers through his hair, which is so soft and full of life, delaying the inevitable. My heart aches with every touch, knowing tonight all this must end.
As I pull away, Rigel’s arms wrap around me once more, holding me close as he presses his face into my neck. The scent of him is intoxicating, a mixture of sea and salt and something more, something that speaks to the very essence of him.
I close my eyes, trying to commit every moment of this embrace to memory. The way his body molds against mine, the feel of his breath on my skin, the warmth of his touch… I can’t bear the thought of losing this.
But as much as I want to stay, I know I can’t.
I mourn all the moments we’ll miss, the conversations we will never have, the sunsets we will never share.
I take a deep breath. Rigel releases me, his hands falling away from me. He looks at me, his eyes full of raw emotion, as if he can see into my soul and understand the torment I feel.
“Don’t.” He grabs my arm, and I pause, reluctant to leave. “Don’t run from this. From me.”
“You don’t understand.” With a heavy heart, I pull away and step back, my eyes never leaving his. “I’m so sorry, but I have to go,” I say, my voice barely above a whisper. “It’s not right to lead you on when there is no chance for a future.”
“All the more reason to enjoy what time we have left. No regrets, Mia. When we step off this boat, are you going to stand here and tell me you won’t have regrets? That you don’t want this as much as me? That you won’t wonder how good we could be? Don’t you want more?” His somber expression feels like a knife cutting into my flesh.
“I’ll cherish every moment we have left, but we must end this.” With that, I turn and walk away, my heart heavy with the weight of our unspoken feelings.
I’ll never forget this night or the man who touched my soul in ways I never thought possible. As I leave, I know it’s for the best.
Not that it hurts any less.