Page 40 of Rescuing Mia

My heart races, and my skin tingles. I shouldn’t be jealous of a woman back home, especially a woman he walked away from, but still—it hurts.

Which it shouldn’t. I don’t know Rigel, and to be honest, we have no future. I’m on the run, and he’s on the adventure of a lifetime.

One thing is clear, however. Rigel is going out of his way to let me know he’s available and interested in pursuing something with me.

As the conversation flows around us, I can’t shake the feeling that there’s more to Rigel’s story than he’s letting on.

But for now, I’m content to live in the moment. What do I care if a woman is waiting for him when I plan on leaving him the moment this cruise ends?

Samantha pouts, her lower lip jutting out in an exaggerated fashion. “Aw, now that’s interesting. I was hoping you might be up for a little—adventure of our own.”

The innuendo in her tone is unmistakable, and a hot flush of anger washes over me. Before I can say anything, Rigel speaks up, his voice firm but gentle.

“I appreciate the offer, Samantha, but I’m quite happy with my current company.” He turns to me, his eyes warm and sincere.

I duck my head, a pleased smile tugging at my lips. Jessica and Samantha exchange a look, their expressions full of envy.

Pete, perhaps sensing the tension, clears his throat loudly. “Well,I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for another round. Who’s with me?”

The group choruses their agreement, and as the moment passes, the conversation flows back to safer topics like diving, but under the table, Rigel’s hand remains in mine, his thumb tracing gentle circles on my skin.

Whatever this is between us—this spark, this connection—it’s rapidly turning into more than a passing flirtation.

It’s turning carnal and raw.

Chapter Eighteen

RIGEL

Dinner conversation flows effortlessly,punctuated by laughter and the clink of glasses as we share our excitement for the upcoming dive adventures. Pete, his eyes sparkling with the wisdom of a life well-lived, regales us with tales of his past underwater exploits while Mia remains somewhat reserved.

“I remember this one time, off the coast of Belize…” His voice thickens, rich with nostalgia. “I was diving the Blue Hole, and I swear, I came face to face with a shark the size of a Volkswagen.”

Samantha and Jessica lean in, their eyes wide with fascination.

“What did you do?” Jessica asks, her voice hushed.

“Well, I did what any self-respecting diver would do.” Pete laughs, taking a sip of his wine. “I froze, tried not to soil my wetsuit, and prayed to every deity I could think of.”

The table erupts in laughter, and I can’t help but join in. Pete’s easy charm and self-deprecating humor are infectious, putting everyone at ease.

Everyone but Mia.

I should’ve thought this through better. Samantha and Jessica are trying to make Mia feel left out.

As the laughter dies down, Samantha turns to Jessica, a mischievous glint in her eye. “Speaking of adventure, didn’t you have a little misadventure of your own in Cabo last year?”

“I don’t know if I’d call it a misadventure. More like a learning experience.” Jessica’s cheeks flush, and she ducks her head, a smile playing at the corners of her mouth.

“Oh, come on,” Samantha prods, nudging her with an elbow. “Tell them about how you got lost in the desert and ended up at that crazy beach party.”

Jessica sighs, but there’s a sparkle in her eye as she launches into the story.

“Okay, so I was in Cabo for a marketing conference, and I decided to rent a Jeep and go exploring on my day off.” Her hands paint the air with the vibrant colors of her escapade as she speaks. She mimics the steering of the Jeep with wide, sweeping turns of her arms.

“The Los Cabos’ wilderness is known for its deserts, canyons, the ocean, cliffs, streams, and sand dunes. I heard about how unique they were and was looking for a truly incredible experience. Long story short, I took a wrong turn and ended up in the middle of nowhere. And there I was…” She pauses, taking a sip of her margarita.

Her hands flutter to her chest for dramatic effect. “My GPS totally kaput. No cell signal. Just me and the Jeep and a whole lot of sand and prickly cacti.”

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