Chapter 5

Mac's fingers brushed gently against Alessia's hand – sending shivers up her arm.

He wrapped his hand around hers, warm palm cradling her skin – a soft spark of electricity ignited between them.

Alessia's eyes locked onto their intertwined hands, then lifted to Mac's gaze – intense green burning with emotion. His voice low and husky:

"Dark secrets don't scare me, Alessia. They draw me closer."

Her heart racing, Alessia turned her hand slightly – Mac's fingers intertwined with hers perfectly. It felt like a promise seal.

Suddenly, Mac pulled her closer – their bodies inches apart – and whispered:

"Tell me one secret, Alessia. Just one..."

Alessia's breath danced across Mac's skin as she leaned in – her lips brushing against his earlobe.

She whispered barely audibly:

"My father...he died because of me."

Mac's body stilled – his hand tightening gently around hers. He turned his head slightly, lips almost touching her ear in return:

"What do you mean?"

Alessia's voice remained a whisper, pain etched in every word:

"I was 16...we fought. He stormed out, crashed his car...never came home."

Mac's eyes closed, expression twisted in anguish – he pulled Alessia closer, forehead against her temple.

His whisper echoed her pain:

"You blame yourself...but was it truly your fault?"

Alessia's tears returned – Mac's question uncovered a wound she'd never shared with anyone...

Alessia's body crumpled against Mac's – tears flooding out like a dam broken.

He wrapped his arms tightly around her, holding her close as sobs racked her frame. His cheek pressed against her hair, whispering softly:

"Let it go, Alessia...finally let it go."

The parking lot lights blurred around them as Mac swayed gently, comforting her. His own eyes welled up with tears – witnessing her anguish piercing his heart.

Minutes passed – or maybe eternity – before Alessia's sobs slowly faded into sniffles. Mac handed her his black band tee – soft and smelling like him – to wipe her face.

As she looked up, red-eyed and vulnerable, Mac's voice barely whispered:

"Do you still blame yourself?"

Alessia's lips parted – a single word escaped:

"Yes..."

Mac's eyes locked intensely onto Alessia's – his voice low and gentle yet powerful:

"Your father's death was tragedy...not your fault. His choices, his temper – not yours."

Alessia's gaze faltered, tears welling up again – Mac's words piercing deep scars. He continued:

"I've lived with similar ghosts – my father's abuse, my mother's silence. But blaming myself almost destroyed me."

His thumb brushed away a fresh tear on her cheek:

"Until I realized – their darkness wasn't mine to claim. Yours isn't either, Alessia."

Alessia's breathing slowed – Mac's words resonating like truth she'd never heard before. Her voice is barely audible:

"No one's ever said that..."

Mac's face drew closer, lips inches from hers:

"Because no one saw the real you – until me."

Mac's lips gently brushed against Alessia's – soft, tender, and electrifying.

Time suspended as their mouths touched – the world narrowed to this single, perfect moment. Alessia's eyes fluttered closed, her hands rising to Mac's chest – feeling his heart race beneath her palms.

The kiss deepened slowly – Mac's lips coaxed hers apart – their breath mingling like a sweet surrender. Alessia's tears dried, replaced by fluttering excitement.

As they broke apart for air, Mac's forehead rested against hers – his voice barely audible:

"Alessia...I've waited forever for that."

Alessia's lips curved into a soft smile – her heart still racing – she whispered back:

"Forever starts now?"

Mac's eyes locked onto hers, burning intensely – he nodded slowly before claiming her lips again...

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