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“It is,” I correct, my tone resolute.
“It’s not. Titan, look at me.”
As much as it pains me to pry my eyes open, I do, finding her forest-green irises.
“You are not responsible for your parent’s death. The monster with the gun who robbed your family is responsible. Don’t take on his guilt and shame. That’s not yours to carry.”
“But…”
Cora shakes her head, giving me a soft, understanding smile.
“No buts,” she says gently. “You can spend the rest of your life obsessing over what you could have done and driving yourself crazy with the possibilities, but that won’t change the outcome. Maybe it’s time to try a different approach.”
“Like what?” I ask, fixated on her every word. Cora thinks I can be redeemed. If anyone could do it, she would be the one.
“Like accepting that bad, senseless, violent things happen for no reason to people who don’t deserve it.”
“What a sunny outlook,” I say sarcastically.
Cora smacks my chest playfully, then leans over to kiss my cheek. I close my eyes, soaking up every sweet touch.
“And after you accept the bad, you can start to let in the good,” she finishes.
“I don’t know how to do that,” I admit.
“One day at a time. Wake up each morning and release your guilt. Choose to live each day honoring your parents' memory instead of hiding from it.”
I swallow past the lump in my throat, choking back tears. “You’re too damn good to me,” I whisper. “I don’t deserve your kindness.”
“You do,” she insists. “Will you let me be good to you? Without questioning why?”
I stare at the angel in my arms, wondering how I got so lucky. She’s brilliant, talented, kind, and wise. Not to mention sexy as hell, adorable, and all fucking mine.
“Only if you let me be good to you, too,” I reply, kissing her forehead.
“I’m counting on it,” she sasses. I pinch her side, loving the way she giggles and thrashes to the side.
“Good,” I rasp, kissing her sweet lips before tucking some of her messy hair behind her ear. “Now, we better get going for the day before anyone comes looking for us.”
Cora nods and smiles, kissing the tip of my nose in the sweetest gesture. I hardly recognize myself from the man I was two weeks ago, but I wouldn’t change a goddamn thing.
10
CORA
Ican’t keep the smile off my face as I unlock the door to my cabin and throw myself on the bed. It’s been six amazing days since Titan and I first slept together. So far, he’s snuck over to my room every single night. We don’t always have sex. Sometimes he holds me until I fall asleep, whispering sweet things and pressing tender kisses to my cheeks and forehead.
He’s almost unrecognizable from the gruff man I met that first day. Then again, Titan was always different with me. I could feel it when I accidentally tripped and fell into his arms.
We haven’t discussed what happens after my month here is up, but I don’t want to ruin anything. Not yet. It took a lot for Titan to trust me with his secret, and I don’t want to push him for a relationship if he’s not ready for one.
At the same time, the thought of us being over when I step off this ship is unbearable. I can’t go back to how life was before I knew Titan existed. How could I ever move on with my life?
My phone rings, and I groan, not wanting to think about my dad, let alone talk to him. Another ring fills the cabin, and I will myself off the bed, digging through my tote bag until I find the damn thing.
“Hey, D–”
“What the fuck, Cora?” he shouts as soon as I pick up.
