Hades Titans {BOOK 2}

XII. Steam

I finally forced myself to look up at Hayden. His eyes still soft and understanding. I knew he had my best interest in mind. I knew there was nothing inside him that would enjoy watching Chase die, but I couldn't stop myself from being angry. I knew my anger was misplaced. I was angry because he brought up my past, in order to get his way. Despite whether he's only trying to protect me or not, I felt manipulated. I felt guilty for being so soft towards Chase. For forgetting that he was a murderer. That he kidnapped me. That he caused so much chaos in my life, which eventually resulted in my death.

Hayden looked down at Chase's limp body on our blood-covered floor, before exhaling and walking away. I felt my heart drop, convinced that he wasn't going to help Chase. Why? Why are you doing this to me?! This is the last thing I need! Help him! Hayden had hated Chase since they met, but I hoped he loved me enough to do it for me, despite his personal feelings. After a couple more seconds, he returned with some black jogging bottoms on, yet still no shirt. My heart began to pound at the hope that Hayden was going to help. He bent over, lifting Chase into his arms, and carrying him to our beige couch.

I left my bloody clothes in the washing-up basket, getting into the shower. I watched as the black blood ran from my body like a rotten soul and into the drain. My heartfelt easier, knowing Chase was going to be okay. However, I couldn't help but think of my parents. I wished Hayden hadn't brought it up. I hated not being able to remember them. Their faces were a blur. I vaguely knew that my mother had short brown hair and that my father was very tall, but there wasn't much else. My whole body washed in goosebumps at the thought of Chase killing my parents. I couldn't just let him die. I tried to convince myself. He saved me once and I had repaid the debt. My hands trembled as I ran them through my wet hair. My body was still cold and shivering, in spite of the hot water running down my skin.

A gust of cold wind brushed across my skin, as the door to the bathroom opened. I continued to stand under the shower, waiting for Hayden to tell me that he had finished healing Chase. After a couple more seconds of silence, the glass doors to the shower opened and heavy footsteps followed. I didn't turn around, I stayed as I was, under the hot running water. I felt his hot body approaching, before his long arms wrapped around my waist, his hands landing on my belly.

"It's done." He whispered. Goosebumps rushed down my skin in relief. "I'm sorry that I brought up your parents. I shouldn't have done that." He whispered again, softly brushing his nose against my neck. "I'm just trying to protect you. Both of you." His hands softly rubbed my belly. I felt shivers run down my spine again. I placed my hand on top of his, as his nose continued to brush against my neck.

"I know," I replied, exhaling a deep breath. I never felt safer than in his arms. All of my muscles gave into him. My body felt at ease beside him. His warm body had made mine just as warm. His nose brushed towards my shoulder as his lips planted soft kisses on my neck.

"I love you so much."

"I love you too." I turned around to face him, wrapping my hands around his neck. My heart trembled just looking at his face. We hadn't been that close in a while. His hair and shoulders were dripping wet. Despite being together for so long and being pregnant together, I couldn't force myself to look any further than his shoulders.

"The baby made you soft." He smiled weakly.

"It's not like that. Chase is different."

"He's a titan. Every time I look at him all I can see is a murderer. A kidnapper." I could see his face and body tense, full of anger. Though I had never asked Hayden, I knew he was the one that saved me from Chase when I was little, no wonder he had so much hate towards him. I'd never known Hayden to hate anyone as much as he hated Star and Chase. "He somehow managed to talk your brother into siding with them which almost cost you your life." He continued. I could see his eyes drop. "It – it did cost you your life." I felt my heartbreaking for him. There was no amount of time to rid Hayden of his guilt. There was nothing I could say or do to make him feel better. "I have to do everything I can to protect you. I have to make up for what I've done." His head sunk lower and lower as he spoke. I could feel his heartbeat against my arm. His breath hot and heavy, over my shoulder.

"Don't do that." I cupped his hot, wet face with my hand. "No one is blaming you for anything that you did. Certainly not me. You don't need to do anything to prove yourself to me. I know you. I'm here. We're here. We're having a baby. The past doesn't matter. This is what matters." I placed his hand on my belly. His hand was hot at my belly, but it only soothed me. I could see his muscles relax and his Adam's apple sink back into his skin as he swallowed the guilt he'd been holding between his teeth. His hand travelled up to my face, pulling me into a hot kiss. His nose rubbing against mine. I felt my heart tremble as his arm firmly wrapped around me and he pulled my wet, naked body against his. There was nothing left to worry about or think about. My mind was fully occupied by his lips kissing my neck and his body, pushing us both against the glass. His hands ran across my body, as my fingers dug into his back. His eyes met mine for a second before our lips burned against each other. His fingers tickled at my skin as his hand travelled to my thigh, lifting my leg against his hip. I was never the silent type, instantly letting out a moan as he thrusted inside me. There was never a time where I remembered how much I loved him more. I never craved him so much. Pulling him closer and closer and digging my fingers into his back deeper and deeper as I gave in to the pleasure. I couldn't hold myself up much longer, nearly falling at the intensity of the heat that surrounded us. The glass had steamed beyond any other vision but the steam surrounding us. Both our breaths rapid and heavy. My whole body had begun to tingle, before my thigh fell from his hip and his hands gripped my waist, turning me around. I buried my face in the steamy glass, my heavy breath only fogging it further. His hot hands gripped at my hips as I pushed my hands against the glass in an attempt to hold onto my trembling body. A release of every fear, worry, thought washed over me as his arms wrapped around me, holding my body from collapsing onto the wet, shower floor. His face sunk into my neck as he held me against him, under the hot running water.