Chapter 52 - The Pull
Athena knew she wouldn't sleep.
She lay in bed staring at the ceiling, the quiet of the room pressing in around her. Not heavy. Not frightening.
Just... aware.
Aware of him.
Somewhere in the fortress.
Like a thread between them had been pulled tight and wouldn't let her rest.
She sat up slowly, pressing a hand to her chest.
The feeling wasn't anxiety.
It was longing.
Before she could talk herself out of it, she stood and opened her door.
The hallway was dim.
Silent.
And he was already there.
Leaning against the stone wall across from her door.
Like he had been fighting the same pull.
Their eyes met.
Neither of them spoke.
They didn't need to.
Athena stepped out into the hallway.
Silas pushed off the wall at the same time.
They met in the middle without planning it.
Without thinking.
Her hands slid to his chest instinctively, gripping the fabric of his shirt like she needed to anchor herself.
His hands found her waist, pulling her against him in one smooth motion.
The contact sent heat rushing through her body.
Her breathing became uneven.
"So this is what you meant," she whispered.
Silas's voice was low, rough.
"Yes."
She didn't wait.
Athena rose onto her toes and kissed him.
This time it wasn't hesitant.
It wasn't surprised.
It was intentional.
His mouth met hers with equal force, deepening the kiss instantly as his grip tightened at her waist.
She felt the heat of him, the tension in his body barely held in check. His hands slid up her back, holding her close as if letting her go wasn't an option.
Her fingers tangled into his hair.
Her mind went quiet.
All she could feel was him.
The warmth of his mouth.
The way his breath mixed with hers.
The way her body reacted like this was the most natural thing in the world.
Silas backed her gently against the stone wall without breaking the kiss.
Not rough.
Not rushed.
But full of restrained urgency that made her chest ache.
Her heart pounded wildly.
She could feel how hard he was fighting for control.
She didn't want him to.
She wanted to lose herself in it.
Her hands slid down his chest, clutching him closer as the kiss deepened, slower now, more deliberate.
More consuming.
When they finally broke apart, it was only because they needed air.
Their foreheads rested together.
Breathing heavy.
Hands still gripping each other.
Silas's voice was strained.
"We are running out of time to pretend this isn't happening."
Athena didn't argue.