Chapter 9: Caught between a lie
Mara stood in the shower, completely lost in thought. She had turned the water on, yet only her hands and legs were wet. Her mind was clouded with memories of last night Ethan's passionate kisses, the way he had claimed her, the way his touch had left invisible marks on her skin.
The sensations still lingered, as if he had imprinted himself on her. She couldn't quite explain the feeling. Did she love it? Yes. But the loss of control, the overwhelming intensity consumed her in a way she wasn't sure how to handle.
"Do you need help?"
Mara gasped, snapping out of her daze. She hadn't even noticed Ethan walk in. Instinctively, she tried to cover herself, though she didn't know why. He had seen all of her, yet here she was, suddenly shy.
"I'm still not done," she muttered, turning to face him.
That was when her gaze finally landed on him, his sculpted muscles, his confident stance, his full glory.
Last night, she hadn't seen him like this. She had been too lost in the moment, too tipsy to pay attention. But now? Now she was seeing him for the first time.
Now, that's what I'm talking about, she thought, unable to tear her eyes away.
"If you're done staring, maybe you should hurry up before you catch a cold," Ethan teased, a smirk playing on his lips.
"Who's staring?!" Mara snapped out of her daze, her face heating up.
Without another word, she quickly turned away and focused on finishing her shower, determined to escape Ethan's knowing gaze.