Dear Ex Wife Please take me back by The Every Woman

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

muscles still tense, but the worst

how long we stay

but eventually, I manage

don't look at the

He watches, his green

my face quickly, embarrassed

I don't know what

A beat of silence.

his voice is

have to

weak nod, pushing myself up. My legs are

that had gripped me

I mutter, unable to meet

He hesitates, then says,

"I'll join you."

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

seen you naked before if that's

pause. That statement sounds awfully

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

can't help but wonder if Alex

marriage that bad? If it is then why

snaps me out of my gaze and I

caught looking at

He's standing in nothing.

pants, no boxers,

My cheeks flash.

you going to undress or should I help

I tense but don't stop him as he pulls it away, his movements controlled, robort like, like this is

me

No attraction.

Just a chore.

pulse racing as he

shoulders, kept at a careful angle so it

stands behind me

he is silent as his large hands move over my arms, washing me with a gentleness that contradicts everything I've come to assume about

is

flowers and vanilla fills the air, I lean in into

this my choice or you guessed it?" I

had time to shop yet. I got it from-" He pauses like he just caught himself from saying

"From who?" I ask.

part of me wonders if this showel gel belongs to

Another woman?

he wraps around me as his fingers trail down my spine, over

and down my arms. Every touch is delicate

body doesn't get the

in my stomach,

my lip as my nipples harden, my body reacting to

Does he notice?

a glance