A Shower

Alaric's eyes are practically imploring, like he has fought his need for too long and just could not contain it anymore. I wonder if that is the reason he just stood by my door and would not leave. 

When I do not respond even after a long moment, he nods in understanding and steps away from the door, but before he can slide it close, I push open the door to the shower. I am not sure why, my hands move before I can fully contemplate Alaric's words or process them properly.

My naked body is now in his full view and Alaric sucks in an audible breath. That gesture in itself is an unspoken invite and he does not hesitate to take it. He steps into the washroom and shuts the door behind him.

I watch as he strips off his clothing, one piece after the other, his gaze locked on mine. His every move is slow, sensual... I never understood just what it meant to be fixated on a sight until this moment. I am utterly captivated by the view and I cannot take my eyes off of Alaric.

My eyes trail his hands as he takes off each piece of clothing, revealing more and more of himself. And then my eyes revert back to his, those piercing orbs gleam with sensual promise and my throat goes dry.

Alaric smirks, as if he can already tell what the sight of him does to me. And I do not doubt that he can, I can sense my arousal growing steadily and if I can smell his, he can surely smell mine.

Alaric takes his time, slow and teasing, and when he is done, he closes the distance between us in a few strides. Stepping into the shower, he shuts the door, behind him, whilst gazing down at me.

The water running from the shower quickly soaks up his hair and drips down to his shoulders, trailing down his broad chest. Alaric towers over me, like a mountain of unadulterated maleness and my knees weaken as his scent floods my senses.

My eyes take him in, trailing slowly down to the evidence of his arousal, erect and hardened.

His hands cup my cheeks, his thumb grazing my lips. "Not there... here." He says, guiding my gaze back up to his. My eyes search his, finding in them emotions I do not quite understand. They flash by in quick succession, too fast for me to make any sense of.

"I can still leave if you want me to." Alaric offers me another chance to back out. I can understand why, I have previously made it clear that I do not wish to feel compelled to be with him simply because he is the father of my child and I do not wish for him to feel the same way either.

And we had agreed to put our baby first even if Alaric made it clear he wanted me. But our sexual needs for each other does not have to represent anything more, right? And I am fine with that.

"Can you?" I ask him in a low tone.

"No...no I can't." Alaric admits, shaking his head slightly.

"Then don't." I reply.

Alaric's eyes darken even more, a fact I did not even think was possible and he leans down, claiming my lips in a searing kiss.

_______________

A quiet groan escapes me as I turn over on my bed. My eyes flutter open slowly and I'm not surprised to find the other side of my bed is empty. However my gaze lingers on the empty sheets for a short time, thinking back to Alaric's apology with a shake of my head.

I am not surprised that he left once again, Alaric has his own internal struggles and he is yet to make peace with the fact that he cannot contain his own desires after vowing he would not bed me for my resemblance to Carla. Somewhere in the back of his mind, he must still struggle with setting our identities apart and deciding his loyalties.

It is a situation I can understand, however I cannot help the sinking feeling of disappointment. I settle back into my bed, intending to go back to sleep when the door to the washroom slides open.

Alaric steps out, in nothing but a white towel hanging low on his waist. The evidence of his shower still drips down his sculptured chest and I'm instantly wide awake, all the residues of sleep disappearing in that same moment.

He dries his hair with a small towel whilst staring at me. As though reading the meaning behind my reaction, his lips tilt into a smug smirk and he walks over to me.

"You're getting water all over the floor." I point out, though that is the least of my concerns. Alaric shrugs casually, coming to stand beside my bed, he leans down and places a light kiss on my lips.

"As much as I would love to know the thoughts in your naughty little head and perhaps sample a few of them...it is the final day of the games." Alaric says to me, his tone knowing.

"I wasn't thinking about anything." I grumble beneath my breath though I find myself deeply relieved to realize Alaric did not leave like I thought he did. He was just getting ready to go out and see about his duties.

"I will be out all day, once again." Alaric continues. "The Luna of Everdale was eliminated in the last stage, though Alpha Mikos is still in the games."

He pauses for a moment, as though hesitant to complete his words. "This means she will have more free time." He finally says.

I understand where Alaric is headed from his expression and I sit up, holding the sheets up to cover my bare breasts. "I won't leave with her, and if she comes looking for me, I won't go out to see her." I assure him.