A Storm of Flames and Deceit

17. Zoned Out

Nephele

I don't recall much after Eris winnowed us home, but I do distinctly remember dozing off in his arms, him whispering soothing words into my ear. Now, I awake alone in his bed, buttoned in one of his shirts, the sheets only rumpled where he had laid last night with me.

I frown, sitting up, my hair curling in horrendous directions, slipping against the back of my neck. I groan. I should bathe. The salt still clings to my skin from last night's excursion, clings to my hair.

Stumbling to Eris' bathing chamber, I find it even bigger than mine, the tub massive and open to the outside. I shut the door, watching the horizon as I unbutton Eris' loaned shirt, my bikini still beneath it. The water is compelled to fill the massive tub, so warm it steams the air a bit as I summon lavender and marigold to dumb into the waters and perfume the air.

I untie my bikini top, pulling the bottoms down my thighs before stepping into the sweet water, sighing out as it heats my freezing skin. I sink beneath the surface, my curls relaxing and drawing out against my tender scalp as I come up for air, wiping the water from my eyes. Whatever remnants of makeup lingered on my face last night, Eris must've taken off.

Mother above, I love him.

I think about him as I summon my soaps, slathering my body wash onto my loofah. I lean against the side of the tub, absentmindedly running the loofah across my skin, thinking about this tub. His tub. Thinking about how even it has been allowed to see Eris naked, not me.

Fire in their blood, and they fuck like it.

I shiver at the sentiment. Eris was all fire. I can't even imagine what it might be like to have his attention fixed solely on me, without the guard of clothes between us. I'd do anything to find out.

He had given no thought when he dived in after me last night, even if he thought it dangerous. When he broke the surface of the water, coming up for air, fixing his simmering glare upon me, I swear my heart stopped. His body did glisten in the water, his every muscle shining so perfectly as I wrapped myself around him, admiring how his muscles chest looked with my breasts pressed against it.

By the time I register that someone is calling my name, the door swinging carelessly open, Eris coming into the bathroom with his brows drawn together. Concern and panic quickly falls from his face as he sees me, my loofah paying fixed attention to my exposed breasts. His mouth falls open as he blinks out of his trance quickly, looking away.

"I'm sorry," he stammers quickly, refusing to look at me. "When I came back to bed, you were gone, and when I knocked on the bathroom door and called your name," he shakes his head, his ears a bit pink. "You didn't answer-"

I step out of the tub slowly, catching his gaze in the mirror that hangs before him. His eyes go wide at the sight my full body, lips parting with what I hope is want. "I'm sorry," I tell him honestly, wrapping my arms around his waist from behind, even if I'm still dripping wet. "I must've zoned out- I didn't mean to scare you."

He nods, swallowing, casting his eyes upwards. "You don't have to look away, you know?" I tell him, stepping around his body, sliding between him and the counter. He's fully dressed for the day, wearing a white dress shirt and dark brown trousers, the former made transparent with the water from where my body touched his. The fabric clings to his strong chest, making my thighs ache something fierce as I smile up at him.

"I'm not sure if that's a good idea," he says mildly, and I roll my eyes.

"At least look me in the eyes when I tell you why I zoned out," I say, raking my wet fingers through his hair, messing it up just how I like. He obliges, his gaze sliding to mine hesitantly, like if he looked too fast he might see too much.