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 isn't

swallow hard, my muscles still tense, but

know how long

him, shaking, broken, but eventually, I manage

don't look at the

from me, but he doesn't move. He watches,

face quickly, embarrassed

I don't know what

A beat of silence.

his voice is

have to

a weak nod, pushing myself up. My

had gripped

take a shower," I mutter, unable to meet

He hesitates, then says,

"I'll join you."

about to jump

seen you naked before if that's your

statement sounds awfully

fucked you and I wasn't impressed." a

if Alex had said

then why

my gaze

a kid caught looking

He's standing in nothing.

no boxers,

My cheeks flash.

to undress or should

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

touching me means

No attraction.

Just a chore.

racing as he guides me into

kept at a careful angle so it doesn't touch my

behind me and

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

is confusing as

I lean in into the scent as it

choice or you guessed it?"

haven't had time to shop yet. I got it from-" He

"From who?" I ask.

starts choking me. A part

Another woman?

me as his fingers trail down my spine, over

Every touch is

body doesn't get

coils in my stomach, my skin

nipples harden, my body

Does he notice?

a glance over

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255