35
In a split second, catching him by surprise so he wouldn’t fight back, I elbowed him in his side and then used all my strength to push him away. Before he could grab me again, I pulled myself up onto the edge of the tub and jumped out, nearly slipping on the floor.
“For fuck’s sake!” Amlach shouted, slapping the water.
Without worrying about my nakedness, I marched angrily toward the bench where the towels were.
“ Nauriel.”
I abruptly stopped, overwhelmed by Amlach’s voice. It was too deep. Too menacing. Filled with a dark desire that I felt creeping not only through my body but also into my mind.
I felt his gaze travel all over my body, burning like a flame and furious and possessive and lethal. “Come back here,” he ordered.
Every part of me wanted to do it. Yet, I couldn’t turn around. It felt like I was frozen, my heart beating wildly, as if it might break through my chest or implode. As if it might scream Almach’s name along with my soul.
Feeling terrified and upset by that realization, I grabbed a towel and wrapped it around my torso, leaving the thermal bath without looking back.