Page 58 of Stiletto's Savior

I’ll revel the day I can watch the life drain from their eyes. “Whoever did this to you... I swear, I’ll make them pay. I’m going to help in whatever way I can.”

“Help?” She raises an eyebrow, skepticism dancing in her hazel-green eyes. “How do you honestly expect to do that?”

“By being here. Right now.” I lean forward, my breath catching. “And however long it takes after.”

“Save me the romantic bullshit, Miles. Don’t make promises you can’t keep.” Her voice wavers, but the fire remains.

My heart stutters and I repeat myself, this time being far more emotional. “I couldn’t imagine living without you. I’m not lying when I say that.”

Her eyes widen, a flicker of surprise threading through the haze of pain.

It’s like I just dropped a bomb in the room.

“Why do you care so much?” she asks, tilting her head slightly, studying me.

“I don’t know,” I admit, sighing heavily. “All I know is that I’ve tried to bury my feelings for you for a long time, and it never works out. I’m done trying to hide them. I want to be with you, Song. I want to give this a real, authentic shot.”

Her expression softens, but uncertainty lingers in her hazel-green eyes. “What makes you think I can trust you now?”

“You can’t,” I say, my voice low and steady. “I need to earn your trust and I’m going to prove myself to you. I won’t mess it up again.”

“That’s a big promise, Miles.” She bites her lip, weighing my words, her vulnerability laid bare in the stark light of the hospital room.

“Believe me, I know what I’m saying,” I squeeze her hand gently, feeling the warmth of her skin against mine. “But I mean it. I want to build something real with you.”

“Real?” she repeats, a hint of disbelief coloring her tone.

“Yeah. Something I should’ve done years ago,” I lock my gaze onto hers, pouring every bit of sincerity into that moment. “You’re worth it.”

A silence hangs between us, thick and charged.

Hope flickers in her eyes, battling against fear.

I can see her heart warring with her mind, and just for a second, I wish I could ease that burden entirely.

“Fine,” she whispers finally, a small smile breaking through the tension. “Let’s see where this goes… but if you fuck up I’m done. You won’t get another chance ever again.”

Then, without thinking, I pull her against me.

Her warmth envelops me, and I can’t help but bury my face in her hair.

The scent of her shampoo, sweet and floral, wraps around us like an invisible cloak.

She fits perfectly against me, like she was made for this.

“God, I missed you, woman,” I murmur, my lips grazing the top of her head.

“Missed you too,” she whispers back, her breath warm against my skin.

My heart pounds as I tilt her chin up.

I search her eyes, wanting to make sure this is real. That she’s really here with me.

I close the distance between us, capturing her lips with mine.

It’s tender at first, a slow burn igniting within me. Soft and sweet, just like her.

Her mouth moves against mine, hesitant yet eager.

---