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.

The air isn't thick.

muscles still tense, but the

know how long we stay

against him, shaking, broken, but eventually,

look

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

my face quickly, embarrassed

I don't

A beat of silence.

voice is

have

pushing myself up. My legs are unsteady,

had gripped

take a shower," I mutter, unable

He hesitates, then says,

"I'll join you."

about to jump out of their socket, "What?

I've seen you naked before if

That statement

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

help but wonder if

is then why did he help me through

of my gaze and

a kid caught looking at the

He's standing in nothing.

no

My cheeks flash.

going to undress or should

for the towel still wrapped around my trembling frame. I

touching me

No attraction.

Just a chore.

pulse racing as he guides me into the

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

me and the

my head reaches his chest, he is silent as his large hands move over my arms, washing me with a gentleness that contradicts everything I've

is

the air, I lean in into the scent as it smells

this my choice or you guessed it?"

haven't had time to shop yet. I got it from-" He pauses like he just caught

"From who?" I ask.

doesn't respond and suddenly the scent starts choking me. A part of me wonders

Another woman?

as his fingers trail down my spine,

down my arms. Every touch

doesn't get the

my stomach, my skin

harden, my body reacting

Does he notice?

chance a glance