Page 131

“Dr. Lin? You in there? I thought I heard noises and wanted to check on you. You okay?”

Rhys.

My eyes widen, catching Rex’s. He huffs out labored breaths, sweat dripping down his forehead, his face flushed and eyes wild.

He snaps into action and leaps off me. Tucking himself in with one hand, he fixes my shirt and my dress, then pulls me up.

I sway on my feet, my legs not quite working, my mind barely online.

“Dr. Lin? Olivia?”

“One second,” I yell, thankful my voice has returned. “On a call.”

Rex steps to the side, away from the door, and I wipe my face and smooth my hair.

Who am I kidding? I’m sure I look like a mess.

I’m sure I look like someone who’s been fucked out of her mind.

Looking around the room, I spot my jacket draped over my chair. I quickly put it on and zip it all the way up my neck, pretending it’s freezing cold.

Legs trembling, I walk toward the door. “Sorry! Coming now.”

Without warning, Rex grabs my wrist and tugs me to him. Dark eyes flash in my vision before he presses a deep, soulful kiss into my mouth, once again rendering my thoughts haywire.

Then he pushes me toward the door.

Blowing out a breath, I twist the doorknob and yank it open. “S-Sorry. I was on a call with a patient. A migraine slammed into me out of nowhere. I actually feel really sick right now.”

Rhys frowns, his eyes darting from my face to the dark room, then back again.

He’s suspicious. He steps across the threshold and I quickly grab his arm.

“C-Can you help me? I’m dizzy.”

Concern flashes across his features. He nods and curls his hand over my shoulder, tucking me to his side. “Of course. Let’s get you to a patient room. I hate migraines…”

I follow him, my pulse racing, a freshly carved hole throbbing inside my chest.

Because Rex Anderson didn’t only have my heart in his grip, he also yanked it out and made off with it.

And I can’t bring myself to regret it.

Later that night, I take a deep breath and close my eyes before pressing send on the email I drafted during the storm.

The end is near, but until then, I’ll enjoy every moment with him.

Chapter Forty

Closing my eyes, Itake off my hair tie and shake out my hair, letting it billow against the crisp evening wind as I make my way to the sun deck, where I’m supposed to meet Lana.

There’s a reckoning coming. She’s after the truth about Rex and me. There’s only so much dodging I can do on a ship—even one of this size.

Even though I’m running late because of a call with my parents gone long, I take a quick minute to admire the melting sunset on the horizon, the skies a veritable display of gemstones—sparkling stars making its existence known against a watercolor of oranges, purples, and blues.

I think back to the conversation I had with my mom a few minutes ago, when I promised her I was booking a trip to LA.

For my thirtieth birthday at the end of April.