Page 45 of Stars in Halo

Her gaze followed him, moving around the sleek space.

A part of her wanted to reach out and pull him back into the fiery embrace they had shared moments ago. But a cautious voice of reason urged her to tread with care.

The machine beeped, signalling that the brew was ready.

‘How d’you like it?’ he muttered.

‘Black, no sugar,’ she said.

‘Pure and classy,’ he drawled as he finished prepping her beverage.

With a steaming mug in hand, Xion turned and offered it to Katya with a small smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.

She accepted it with a murmured thanks, the silence between them heavy with unspoken words.

He made one for himself and leaned back on the counter, watching her with eyes half-mast.

As they settled into an uneasy calm, his gaze softened. ‘I think we got a little carried away there,’ he rasped, his voice tinged with regret.

Katya’s fingers brushed against his in a fleeting touch. ‘It’s okay,’ she replied, her eyes searching his for any sign of his feelings. ‘What do you need?’

He jolted at her insightful question, stuck a tongue in his chiselled cheeks, and tilted his head in thought.

In time, he came up with a response. ‘All I want is a little time with you without pressure. No focus on this heat between us. I want a night chatting and relaxing in each other’s company.’

His voice rumbled with emotion.

Katya cocked her head and stared deep into his eyes.

That was when she tweaked.

The look he shot her was filled with longing.

Not for sex. For real intimacy.

Xion Sable was a lonely man.

As Katya processed his words, a wave of unexpected tenderness washed over her. She perceived beyond the confident facade he wore like armour and glimpsed the fragility that lurked underneath.

At that moment, she made a silent vow to herself to be the respite he sought, the connection he craved.

A pang of empathy hit as she gazed into Xion’s eyes, seeing a vulnerability he had tried so hard to mask with charm and wit. She realised that beneath his self-assured exterior, he was just as human and fragile as anyone else.

A sense of understanding passed between them, a wordless agreement to let down their walls and be themselves.

Nodding, she placed her kahawa mug on the sleek kitchen counter and walked over to him.

Without a word, she wrapped her arms around his taut waist in a gentle embrace, offering him the solace of her presence devoid of any expectations or demands.

Xion hesitated for a beat, his body stiff with surprise at her sudden display of affection.

Moments later, he relaxed in the warmth of her clasp, gradually easing into her touch, leaning into her comforting hold.

They settled into a comfortable silence, the only sound in the room the soft hum of the kahawa machine and their hushed breathing.

For a long moment, they stood there in the quiet kitchen, finding solace in each other’s arms. The air between them was heavy with unspoken truths and silent understanding.

‘Let’s take a break from all the games,’ she murmured, tilting back to stroke his jawline. ‘No expectations, not even sex. Until we’re both ready, we’re just two people enjoying each other’s company.’

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