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.

suffocating anymore. The air

hard, my muscles still tense, but the worst

know how long

but

look

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

my face quickly, embarrassed by

sorry...... I don't

A beat of silence.

voice

have to

pushing myself up. My

panic that had gripped

mutter, unable to meet

He hesitates, then says,

"I'll join you."

eyes widen, and I'm sure they're about to

I've seen you naked before if that's

pause. That statement sounds awfully

you and I wasn't impressed." a voice speaks in the back of my

wonder if Alex had said

bad? If it is then why did he

His voice snaps me out of my gaze and I jerk

looking

He's standing in nothing.

no boxers,

My cheeks flash.

to undress or should I help

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

me

No attraction.

Just a chore.

swallow hard, my pulse racing as he guides me into the shower.

at a careful angle so it doesn't

behind me

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

man is confusing as

the air, I lean in into the

choice or you guessed it?"

got it from-" He pauses like he just caught

"From who?" I ask.

scent starts choking me. A part of me wonders if this showel gel

Another woman?

me as his fingers trail down my spine,

arms. Every touch

my body doesn't

my stomach, my skin

bite my lip as my nipples harden, my

Does he notice?

a glance

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