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

still tense, but the worst

long

shaking, broken, but eventually,

look at the

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

wipe my face quickly,

don't know

A beat of silence.

his voice is

don't have to

nod, pushing myself up.

the panic that had gripped me so

mutter, unable

He hesitates, then says,

"I'll join you."

I'm sure they're about to jump out of their

naked before if that's

statement sounds

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

wonder if Alex had said that

is then why did he help me

snaps me out of my gaze

looking at the wrong

He's standing in nothing.

pants, no

My cheeks flash.

to undress

towel still wrapped around my trembling frame. I tense but don't

touching me means

No attraction.

Just a chore.

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

kept at a careful angle so

stands behind me

large hands move over my arms, washing

is confusing

flowers and vanilla fills the air, I

my choice or you

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

"From who?" I ask.

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

Another woman?

he wraps around me as his fingers trail down my

my arms. Every touch is delicate

my body doesn't

my

nipples harden, my body reacting

Does he notice?

chance a glance over

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