Page 195 of Star Claimed Omega
He ordered two of the most potent brews, a bag of sweet rose-jam rolls, and bacon-and-egg breakfast wraps still warm from the heat plate.
The scents curled in his nostrils as he carried the bundle back to her room.
He palmed the door ajar, and there she was, stirring.
Her eyes blinked open, her nose twitching at the scent of food.
She sat up, her hair tousled, eyes sleepy yet still beautiful in the pale light.
He stepped in and leaned down to press a lingering kiss to her mouth.
‘Morning,’ he murmured, letting his fingers brush her jaw. ‘How are you?’
‘Freakin starved,’ she rasped sleepily. ‘You bringing bacon rolls is proof of divinity.’
They ate together on the cot, legs tangled, sharing the small space like it had been made for them.
He passed her a cup and eyed her while she nibbled and sipped, color blooming onto her cheeks.
He couldn’t stop staring, marveling that this moment was even happening.
It was all so simple, so normal, and yet perfect.
Yet he was aware it’d take a lot of conversation to really address what broke them apart.
Plus a lot of strength to overcome their shit and leave it in the past.
He craved more for her: a future with him, a home onThe Sombra, and later perhaps in Pegasi.
Still, it had to be her call, even though he longed to whisk her from this place.
‘You know you’re gonna be late,’ he rasped behind his cup.
She smirked over a bite of roll. ‘I think that boat sailed, Cap.’
‘Oh?’
She rolled her eyes. ‘Kharon’s a grade-A shit stain, not to me, but to everyone else. He yells at old ladies and underpaysthe staff. He’s probably going to dock me a week’s pay for not showing up today.’
He snorted. ‘Want me to knock some sense into him?’
She arched a brow. ‘Tempting, but then I’d have to find another shittier job. When all I want is out of Cybele.’
‘Where would you go?’ he asked, bracing for her answer.
‘It depends,’ she murmured, then paused for a moment. ‘On us.’
She set her cup down with care and fell silent.
A shift passed between them, subtle but undeniable.
Their eyes locked as she took a breath as if searching for words.
‘I forgive you, Santiago,’ she murmured. ‘You hurt me, yes, but I see now you didn’t intend to. You were afraid. So was I.’
He closed his eyes and breathed out.
Moments later, he opened them to gaze at her, jaw flexing. ‘I was reckless, with what I said, with you and your heart. I let fear distort what I knew of us.’
