Page 46 of Worth the Fall

Mia smiles, her expression soft. "Thank you for today, Miguel. It was perfect."

I glance at her, my chest tightening at the sincerity in her voice. "Thank you for coming," I say. "It wouldn’t have been the same without you."

Her smile widens slightly, but it doesn’t erase the flicker of unease still lingering in my chest. As we drive home, I catch her gaze in the mirror a couple of times, but she’s quiet, her thoughts clearly somewhere else.

I want to ask her again if she’s okay. I want to know what’s going on behind those beautiful eyes of hers.

But for now, I let it go, focusing instead on the memory of her laughter, the way she crouched beside Felicity, the way she made today something special.

Felicity falls asleep halfway home, clutching Princess Waddles to her chest. Her little face is pressed against the car seat, her mouth slightly open as soft breaths escape. I glance at her in the rearview mirror, my heart swelling. Today was everything I hoped it would be for her—and for Mia.

When we get to my apartment, Mia offers to help me carry Felicity inside, but I shake my head. "I’ve got her," I say softly.

She smiles, nodding as she grabs Felicity’s stuffed penguin and my keys. "I’ll let us in."

Inside, the apartment is quiet, the kind of stillness that settles in the early evening when the day has been long and full. Mia waits in the living room while I carry Felicity to her room. She stirs slightly as I lay her down, mumbling something about penguins before curling up under her blanket. I kiss her forehead, brushing a stray curl from her cheek.

"Good night, princess," I whisper before closing her door.

When I step back into the living room, Mia is standing near the window, her arms crossed loosely over her chest. The sunset casts a warm glow through the glass, painting her skin in soft golds and pinks. But there’s a tension in her posture that immediately catches my attention.

She turns when she hears me, offering a small smile. "Did she crash?"

"Out like a light," I say, stepping closer. "She had a big day."

Mia chuckles, but the sound is strained, her shoulders stiff. "Yeah. It was a great day."

Her voice is light, but it’s all over her face—something is bothering her. She tries to cover it with a joke. "I hope you don’t mind me invading your space again. I’m not sure how many more of these surprise visits you can take."

I don’t answer right away. Instead, I walk straight toward her, sliding one hand around her waist, the other resting lightly behind her back. Her breath hitches as I pull her close, and I don’t give her a chance to overthink it.

I kiss her deeply, pouring everything I’ve been holding back into the moment. I feel her hesitation melt away as her body softens against mine, her arms wrapping around my shoulders.

When I pull back just slightly, my lips brushing hers, I murmur, "I can feel you relax against me. Like you’ve been carrying something heavy all day."

"Miguel—" she starts, but I don’t let her finish.

I kiss her again, slower this time, savoring the warmth of her mouth, the way she sighs softly against me. When I finally pull back, I meet her gaze, my hands still cradling her waist.

"I’m not messing around with you, Mia," I say, my voice low but firm. "After today, I know exactly what I want. Just you."

Her lips part, her eyes searching mine, but I don’t stop. I don’t want there to be any doubt in her mind.

"I’m not sending mixed signals. I’m not holding back. You and me? We’re good together," I say, punctuating my words with soft kisses along her jaw, her cheek, her lips. "I can make you feel so good. Let me show you."

Her hands tighten around my shoulders as she pulls me closer, her breathing quickening. I feel her give in, the tension finally slipping away as she presses herself against me.

The kiss deepens, and it’s like a fire igniting between us—hot, urgent, unstoppable. I guide her toward the couch, our lips never parting, our hands exploring, pulling, holding.

We sink into the cushions, the room fading away as the moment consumes us. Her fingers tangle in my hair, and I bury my face in her neck, trailing kisses along her skin, savoring every soft sound she makes.

Time seems to blur as the heat builds, each touch, each kiss pulling us closer until nothing else matters.

The quiet of the room wraps around us, broken only by Mia’s soft breathing. She’s resting against my chest, her body warm and relaxed under the blanket we pulled over us. My fingers trail lazily up and down her back, and I can’t stop the words that slip from my lips.

"I love you."

It comes out softly, almost like a thought spoken aloud, but I mean it with every part of me.

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