Chapter 30 Something important.
KATHERINE
Kane and I continued exploring the ship. It was strange, but in the most wonderful way.
Everything felt natural when we were here, surrounded by nothing but the gentle rocking of the waves and the vastness of the sea.
When we turned a corner, my eyes landed on a small table set up by a window, and sitting on it was an old chessboard whose wooden pieces worn smooth from years of use. I stopped, running my fingers over the board with a faint smile.
“You play chess?” I asked, glancing up at Kane.
He followed my gaze, and something softened in his expression.
“My father taught me,” he said, almost as if he were talking more to himself than to me. “We used to play whenever we traveled together.”
There was a quiet wistfulness in his voice, and I found myself wondering what memories this old game stirred in him.
“You must have been close,” I muttered gently.
Kane’s lips tugged into a faint smile.
“Close enough.” Then he turned to me with an eyebrow raised. “Care for a game?”
I laughed. “You’d probably crush me in seconds.”
“Oh, come on,” he teased, pulling out a chair for me. “I’ll go easy on you.”
I sat down, unable to hide my smile.
“Fine. Just don’t say I didn’t warn you if this turns into a disaster.”
He laughed, sitting across from me, and we started playing. True to his word, he didn’t go easy on me. Though, he did offer a few playful tips here and there.
Each time I’d make a decent move, he’d give an approving nod, and I found myself relaxing more and more.
After a few rounds, though, I managed to get him in a clever check, surprising even myself. I smirked, raising an eyebrow.
“Thought you’d go easy on me?”
Kane chuckled, leaning back in his chair. “Didn’t expect you to be this good.”
“Beginner’s luck,” I said, trying to downplay it, though I couldn’t ignore the spark of pride I felt. This was a time we’d spent time together that didn’t feel weighted down by tension. It was just simple, and easy.
And then his hand reached out, taking mine. It was subtle, but it sent warmth coursing through me.
I looked up at him, and his gaze was deep, almost as if he were searching for something he couldn’t quite name.
“Catherine,” he murmured, and his voice was lower, softer than I’d ever heard it.
A shiver ran down my spine. “Yes?”
“I…” He hesitated, his eyes flickering over my face as if he were memorizing every detail. “You’ve made me feel something I haven’t felt in a very long time.”
My heart beat fast in my chest, and I could feel my cheeks warming.
“And what would that be?”
“Peace,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper.
I didn’t know what to say to that. All I could do was look at him, feeling the intensity in his gaze and the raw vulnerability he rarely showed.
And before I could even think about what was happening, he leaned forward, and lifted his hand to my face.
His lips brushed against mine, gentle at first, as if giving me a chance to pull away. But I didn’t. I didn’t want to.
Instead, I leaned into him, letting myself melt into the warmth of his embrace.
The kiss deepened, growing bolder as his arms wrapped around me, pulling me closer. My fingers tangled in his hair, and all the doubts and barriers I’d put up seemed to fade away in that moment. I felt the strength in his hold, the way he touched me, as though he was afraid I might disappear.
His lips traced a path along my jawline, leaving a trail of fire wherever they touched, and I tilted my head, giving him more access, surrendering any lingering resistance.
I had fought against this pull for so long, but now, here in his arms, all I could feel was the magnetic pull that had been building between us since we’d met.
“Catherine…” he breathed against my skin, his voice rough and filled with a need that mirrored my own.
“Yes?” I whispered, barely able to find my voice.
He looked at me. “You don’t know what you do to me.”
I smiled softly, reaching up to trace my fingers along his cheek.
“Maybe I have an idea now.”
We stayed like that, locked in each other’s embrace, for what felt like an eternity. His hands moved to my waist, pulling me even closer, as if he couldn’t bear to let go.
And, truthfully, I didn’t want him to. In that moment, nothing else mattered. Not our pasts, not the world outside, just us.
When he finally pulled back, his eyes searched mine, as if looking for some confirmation that this was real. I nodded, reassuring him, though I knew I was reassuring myself just as much.
Kane smiled and his hand brushed a strand of hair from my face.
“I told you… I’d make up for leaving you at the restaurant.”
“You’re certainly off to a good start,” I teased.
His thumb traced gentle circles along my cheek as he looked at me with a softness that was rare for him.
“Good. Because I’m not done yet.”
Kane’s eyes darkened as he drew closer. I could feel the heat radiating from him as his hands traced over my arms and down to my waist.
The pressure of his fingers left my skin tingling, and all I could do was gasp softly as he pulled me into him, our breaths mingling. His fierce and unwavering gaze, made my heart race, sending a thrill through me that I couldn’t ignore.
In an instant, his grip grew firmer and his hands roamed over my shoulders before slipping down, finding the edge of my dress.
With a strength that took me off guard, he pulled at my cloth and the fabric tore under his fingers, leaving a soft ripping sound hanging in the air.
My pulse quickened, excited as he held me close and his gaze still locked onto mine with that same fiery intensity.
But in my eagerness, I stumbled, losing my balance as I reached for anything to steady myself.
However, my hand found the edge of a nearby table but the wood was sharp and unforgiving beneath my fingers. Immediately, a stinging pain shot through my palm, and I winced.
“Kane…” I murmured, lifting my hand to see the thin line of blood pooling in the cut.
His face changed instantly. He looked more fierce as he caught sight of the injury.
“Catherine,” he said, gently taking my hand in his. His fingers cradled mine carefully, his thumb brushing near the cut without pressing too hard.
“Are you alright?” he asked.