“What’s that?”
He says nothing for a breath, leaving me to deal with the aftershocks of his touch.I want him to do it again.I want him to never stop.
“Terrible coffee,” he whispers, and the secret curl of his smile doubles down on the wave I’m experiencing.
Sterling reaches up slowly enough that I know it’s coming, but I don’t move.He curls his fingers around mine, and all I’m aware of is how close we are, each breath he takes, how much I want to kiss him.
Water trickles down my wrist from where I’m squeezing the tissue too tight.
I pull away.It’s just the situation playing with my head.
“It must be lonely,” I say, dropping my hand into my lap.Two of my nails have gotten chipped since we arrived.“Only relying on yourself.”
“I’m not good at letting people in,” he confesses in the space between us.Dropped quiet, like snow.“But I want to get better at it.”
He covers my clasped hands with his.“Maybe you could help me.”
I stare down at where our hands are combined.His strong palms encompass my own.
* * *
When Sterling crosses to the door, my heart jumps into my throat.
“Where are you going?”
“All those guys are downstairs; I’m going to get to the other hostages and get us out before they come back.”
Of course he wants to do that.I’ve already witnessed him risk his life twice today.If this is the way he runs his investigations, I’m starting to understand why he kept telling me I wasn’t suited for it.
It’s honorable in a way I already know him to be, but I’m selfish; I don’t want anything to happen to him.Sterling doesn’t seem as bothered by that idea.
“Maybe you should both go,” Hal says, and I whip my head over to him.“I would join you, but that guy has it out for me.I think it’s best if I stay here, wait it out.”
Something doesn’t feel right.
I turn back to Sterling.“What if they aren’t all gone?”
He places his hands on my shoulders.The heat of him is a relief.“I’ll be okay.I need you to stay here.It’s safer.”
“Makes sense for you to leave then.”I’m being snarky, but I don’t care.I’m not the one choosing to put myself in danger.
What if the cops rush in and think he’s one of the bad guys?They don’t have a reputation for calm conflict resolution.
Or forethought.
“Promise me, Mia, you’ll stay here.”
“Promisemeyou won’t get yourself killed.I …” I swallow.“I can’t finish the story without you.”
The sound of my pulse is loud in my ears.Sterling’s lips part, but his gaze darts to Hal, and whatever he’s about to say is cast aside.
I can’t shake the feeling I shouldn’t let him go.He said it himself; it’s safer here.Why can’t he just stay and wait?
* * *
Make Your Choice:
let Sterling leave(go to 65)
