To ruin an Omega novel Chapter 81

Chapter 81: Under Running Water 2

FIA

Goosebumps spread across his chest and down his abdomen. His muscles went rigid under my touch. Like he was holding himself very still.

I looked up.

He was staring at me.

His eyes were dark. Darker than I had ever seen them. His jaw was tight. A muscle jumped in his cheek.

I withdrew my hand.

"Sorry."

The word came out barely above a whisper.

"It is fine."

His voice was restrained. Too restrained. Like he was forcing the words through clenched teeth.

We stood there.

Neither of us moved. Neither of us spoke. The water kept running. Steam filled the shower. My heart hammered against my ribs so hard I was sure he could hear it.

One minute passed.

Maybe two.

Time felt strange. Like it was stretched thin and yet still heavy at the same time.

"You look clean," Cian said finally as he sprayed my lathered hands before he lowered the shower head.

The water stopped.

"I should get you a towel."

He stepped out before I could respond. Water dripped from his body onto the tile. I watched him cross to the cabinet and pull out a large white towel.

He came back.

The towel wrapped around me. It was soft and even better, it was warm. He tucked it carefully around my shoulders and made sure it covered me completely.

"You still have lather on you," I said.

He looked down at himself. At the soap still clinging to his chest and arms.

"Right. Right."

He ran a hand through his wet hair.

"I will help you out first. Then get clean."

I nodded.

He guided me out of the shower. His hand was firm on my elbow. Steadying me as I stepped over the threshold and onto the bathroom rug.

"Can you stand?" he asked.

"Yes."

My legs felt more solid now. Less likely to give out without warning.

"Good."

He released my elbow and stepped back into the shower. The glass door closed between us.

I stood there.

Dripping onto the rug. Clutching the towel around myself. Staring at nothing in particular.

What was that?

The question echoed in my head. Over and over. What was that tension in the shower? That moment when our eyes met and everything felt heavy and charged? That second when I touched his chest and felt him react?

What was it?

The water turned back on behind the glass. I could see Cian’s silhouette through the frosted panels. Could see him moving. Rinsing off the soap. Running his hands through his hair.

I needed to leave.

Standing here watching him shower was not helping anything. Was not making this situation any less weird or complicated or confusing.

I turned toward the door.

My reflection caught my eye in the mirror above the sink.

I looked terrible.

The mattress was soft. The pillows were perfect. Everything smelled like Cian. That scent that I was starting to associate with safety even though I did not want to.

Then he returned to the wardrobe and grabbed another set of clothes and pulled them on.

As quickly as he put them on, he moved toward the door.

I was turned to the other side of the bed at that time but I just couldn’t help myself when the thought nudged itself at the back of my mind.

"Cian," I said.

He stopped.

I could not see him from where I was lying. But I heard him turn back toward the bed.

"Yes?"

"Are you alright?"

The question surprised me as much as it probably surprised him. But once it was out I could not take it back.

Silence stretched between us.

"I am fine," he said finally.

His voice was neutral. Carefully neutral. Like he was putting effort into keeping it that way.

"Get some rest, Fia."

The door opened. Then closed.

I was alone.

I lay there in the dim lights. Staring at the wall and trying not to think about what had just happened. Trying not to replay every moment of that shower in my head.

Trying not to wonder what it meant.

If it meant anything at all. Because what Bo had said before Cian took her life was also lodged in my head.

"Now that Luna Morrigan does not have the rot, and Alpha Cian does not have to fear that the Goddess will punish him for defying her hand in your marriage... do you think he will stay with you?"

I hadn’t really understood why those words cut so deep but I was starting to realize it now.

I liked Cian. I wasn’t even sure when that happened. But it was clear as day to me now that I did.