Chapter 37 ~ Not attracted

ATHENA

My heart pounds too fast, too loud.

The room feels smaller, the air thick. The sound of rushing fills my ears, deafening, drowning out every other noise. I squeeze my eyes shut, but the feeling doesn't go away.

I can't move.

I can't think.

I can't.... Stand.

"Breathe."

The deep voice cuts through the panic, anchoring me for a fleeting second. Then, warm hands grip my arms, steady but firm. I flinch, my entire body trembling. "Athena, please breathe."

The command is laced with a plea. I shake my head, gasping, clawing at my chest like I can force air back into my lungs. Tears prick my eyes as I try to focus my vision.

"I..t....it's hard, Alex." I croak out.

His hands tighten around me, pulling me against him. "Look at me."

I can't.

The air is too thick, too heavy.

The water is still there.

Watching.

Waiting.

Wanting to swallow me whole once again.

"Damn it, Athena." His grip shifts, his palm pressing against the side of my face,

forcing me to turn toward him. "You're safe. Breathe with me."

Safe.

That word doesn't make sense.

I squeeze my eyes shut, feeling something hot slide down my cheek.

A tear.

Then another.

His forehead presses against mine, his breath steady, controlled.

"In," he whispers.

I try.

"Out."

My chest shudders as I force myself to mimic his breathing, slow and measured. His fingers trace gentle circles on my back, grounding me, pulling me away from whatever invisible force had wrapped around my lungs.

Minutes pass.

isn't suffocating anymore. The air isn't

swallow hard, my muscles still tense,

long we stay like

him, shaking, broken, but

look

from me, but he doesn't move. He watches, his green eyes unreadable, something flickering

my face quickly, embarrassed by my

don't know what

A beat of silence.

voice is

don't have to

myself up.

panic that had gripped me

I mutter, unable to

He hesitates, then says,

"I'll join you."

widen, and I'm sure they're about to jump out of

you naked before

statement

wasn't impressed." a

if Alex

it is then why did he help me

of my gaze and I jerk my

kid caught looking at the wrong

He's standing in nothing.

no boxers,

My cheeks flash.

undress or should

still wrapped around my trembling frame. I tense but don't stop him as he pulls

me means

No attraction.

Just a chore.

as he

over my shoulders, kept at a careful angle so

me and

chest, he is silent as his large hands move over my arms, washing me

is confusing as

flowers and vanilla fills the air, I lean in into the scent

choice or you

it from-" He pauses like

"From who?" I ask.

and suddenly the scent starts choking me. A part of

Another woman?

wraps around me as his fingers trail down my

arms. Every touch is

doesn't get

in my stomach,

as my nipples harden, my body reacting to him

Does he notice?

glance over

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