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.

anymore. The air isn't thick. The

still tense, but the

how long we stay

against him, shaking, broken, but eventually,

don't look

He watches, his green

wipe my face quickly, embarrassed

I don't know

A beat of silence.

his voice

don't have to

nod, pushing myself up. My

panic that had gripped

mutter, unable to

He hesitates, then says,

"I'll join you."

sure they're about to jump out

naked before if that's your

statement sounds awfully

wasn't impressed." a voice speaks

wonder if Alex had said

marriage that bad? If it is then

me out of my gaze and I jerk my gaze away

kid caught looking at the wrong

He's standing in nothing.

pants, no boxers,

My cheeks flash.

undress or should I help

He steps closer, his fingers reaching for the towel still wrapped around my trembling frame. I tense

me

No attraction.

Just a chore.

pulse racing as he guides me

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

behind me and

move over my arms,

man is

I lean in into the scent as it

my choice or you

it from-" He pauses like he just caught himself from saying what shouldn't

"From who?" I ask.

suddenly the scent starts choking me. A part of

Another woman?

wraps around me as his fingers trail down my

and down my arms. Every

my body doesn't get the

my

bite my lip as my nipples harden, my body

Does he notice?

glance over my

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