Page 46 of Stars in Halo

Xion’s eyes softened as he gazed at her, a flicker of vulnerable gratitude lighting up his features.

A stark contrast to the confident facade and mask he carried. At that moment, she realised that beneath his charismatic exterior lay a man yearning for a genuine bond, a respite from the superficiality that defined their world.

She placed a gentle hand on his arm and stared into his eyes with an intensity that matched his own. ‘I understand,’ she murmured, her voice filled with empathy. ‘Let’s just be. I want that, too, Xion. Just you, just us.’

The tension that had crackled between them moments ago dissipated, replaced by a sense of understanding and mutual desire for connection beyond physical intimacy.

They retreated to the living room.

At first, the silence was awkward, and Katya didn’t say much in her customary fashion.

Xion’s natural charm came into play as he teased her out of her shell, showing keen interest in her passions, hobbies, books, and travel experiences while sharing himself.

They shared more than fleeting glances and heated touches as the night wore on. Conversation flowed, from childhood anecdotes to dreams and fears they had never dared to voice aloud.

Katya soon was confident he wasn’t the player he portrayed.

Those men, for she’d met many, were insecure and learning about her was secondary. To them, the dating ‘game’ is a sport they can play to win.

Xion was different.

A gentle breeze blew through the open balcony doors, bringing the soft scent of jasmine from the hotel’s garden. The atmosphere was peaceful and intimate, as if they were in their little bubble away from the chaos of everyday life.

They started with light topics.

Xion shared his love for kapo and the discipline of martial arts. ‘I like the direction and structure it offers. Where you have to pay attention to the task at hand and rid your mind of distractions.’

Katya opened up about her passion for art. ‘Silk threading in particular,’ she told him. ‘I started crocheting with silk and then making clothes, but it’s now morphed into creating artworks and even mini silk sculptures. I’ve since made thousands of silk artworks. I’d one day love to create custom pieces and full-service installations.’

‘Fascinating,’ the Rider murmured, taking her hand in his and kissing her palm. ‘Perhaps one day you can share your art with me.’

They talked into the night, and with every hour, Katya’s fondness for Xion grew.

Since meeting him, she had admired him for his intellect and appreciated his male beauty. But now she recognised him for who he was under the surface—a soul-raw man craving a profound connection just like she was.

At one point, he cocked his head and gazed at her with those green and mocha gold mesmerising eyes. ‘I’m freakin’ enjoying this conversation and valuing your substance. It’s refreshing when not every interaction with a woman is about physicality.’

Katya smiled. ‘Why do you say so?’

He gave a bitter laugh. ‘That’s because I’m just shit fokk getting past the physical stage with most women. I can’t escape all of my bad habits. I can’t connect and have had too many one-night stands. When I was younger, I’d fallen for one girl after the other, always thinking that I found the one. I think I was trying to recreate intimacy, but I can’t get it right; no matter what I do, I end up right back where I started.’

‘You think you’re a lost cause.’ She tilted her head at him. ‘You mix love and sex.’

‘Something like that. At least you know the truth, I ain’t lyin’ beautiful. This is me, all raw and open.’

Silence fell for a beat.

Then she spoke, reaching for his hand, holding it in her warm clasp.

‘Well, lucky for you, I like Xion Sable when he’s raw and open.’

He sliced his eyes in her direction, locked gazes and gave her a sloppy smile that sent a jolt through her.

Heck, she was beginning to treasure the vulnerability and depth he was sharing.

In turn, she opened up parts of herself to him that she had hidden for years beneath layers of charm, seduction, and wit.

‘Like you, my romantic life has been tragic,’ she confessed. ‘Somehow, I’ve always thought I’m not good enough for it.’

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