The scent of fresh coffee filled the air as Alex stood at the stove, mindlessly stirring eggs in a pan. He worked mechanically, the sizzle of the pan providing a backdrop to his racing thoughts.
He remembered the chaos of last night. It's like the memory of Emily clung to him like a shadow he couldn't shake.
He clearly remembered, Last night when he decided to put her in the cold water to help her fight the effects of the drug, He lifted her, carried her to the bathroom. He set her on the edge of the tub and turned the faucet, letting the cold water flow.
She was in a mess. A total mess. Trying to bring him closer to her. Trying to hug him tightly like there is no gap left between them. It was too tiring to reject her at that moment. She was shivering, helpless like a cute little puppy but clearly fighting. Begging to be helped, begging to get out of here.
She groaned as he gently lowered her into the icy water, her body tensing up at the shock.
"c…o…ld."
Her words breaking and barely audible.
"I know it's cold," he whispered, brushing the damp strands of hair from her face.
"But it'll help, I promise. You will be alright"
He was not a pervert to being with. Before putting her in the water he wrapped her body with a big towel. So, her body was covered the entire time. But her expression, and her seductive voice was playing game with him. There was a desire, that he cannot fight off. No matter how hard he tried!
The time passed slowly as he watched over her. She shuddered slightly, allowing the water to cool down herself. Alex knelt alongside her, his chest tightening. It was weird to watch her like this—vulnerable, helpless, but still fighting. He never expected to be in such a circumstance, let alone do such things.
He has seen many women in her life but never felt like this. This feeling is something new to him. It's not only his heart but his body was also reacting in a certain way.
"It's scary! It's not appropriate for me to be here."
He wanted to keep distance from her. Not wanting to invade her privacy. So, he began to walk towards the door. But Emily held his leg tightly. "Please don't…" She couldn't even complete her sentence properly.
His gaze lingered on her face, now softened in unconsciousness. He couldn't deny the pull he felt—an attraction that made his hands tremble for just a second before he snapped himself out of it. He again sat next to her.
He kept remembering him that, This wasn't the time, and it wasn't appropriate. He wasn't this kind of man.
After what felt like hours, her fever seemed to break, her breathing steadied, and her skin cooled. Carefully, Alex pulled her out of the tub, removed the towel covering her, drying her off with a new towel, avoiding looking at her.
His hands hesitated as he rubbed her body, every part, carefully, gently, not wanting to hurt her even a bit. The whole time Emily was silent. Alex was not brave enough to look at her face.
Suddenly, "You cannot sleep in this wet and ripped cloths. I need to change them. Don't blame me! Okay?"
Emily didn't response.
Alex exhaled, trying to calm his racing heart as he stared at Emily. The thought of changing her clothes felt like crossing a line he didn't want to, and yet, her soaked attire would only make her condition worse.
He moved to his closet, grabbing an oversized sweatshirt that he rarely wore —something simple, loose, that wouldn't cling too tightly and also covers her body perfectly. Taking a steadying breath, he approached her, reminding himself that this was only about her comfort and health.
Carefully, he lifted the edge of the damp fabric clinging to her shoulder, trying to keep his focus pure. As he pulled the sleeve down her arm, her skin brushed against his fingers, still cool from the cold water bath, and he felt the tension in his chest tighten. For a brief moment, he hesitated, his gaze lingering on her face, then continued, carefully sliding the other sleeve down.
His movements were slow, methodical.
She was now only sitting on his bed in her bra and panty. But they were wet too. So, he had to remove them. He removed them with caution not to touch her in anyway.
("I don't want to cross anymore line tonight.")
He draped the fresh sweatshirt over her shoulders, pulling her arms gently through the oversized sleeves. As he lifted her slightly to adjust the fabric, he felt her weight shift against him, her head resting lightly on his shoulder. He held his breath, feeling the softness of her lip brush his neck.
He was shocked. Could not express his feelings anymore!
Settling her back onto the bed, he reached for a dry blanket to cover her, tucking it gently around her form.
Standing over her, Alex could feel his heart still pounding, the surge of protective instincts mixed with emotions he hadn't anticipated. It was an intensity he hadn't expected—a lingering sense of connection that left him quietly shaken.
Once she was properly covered, he took a few steps back, running a hand through his hair as he tried to calm the thoughts racing through his mind.
("What was this?")
He had crossed so many lines tonight. He couldn't stop himself from feeling something—something dangerous.
He sat down on the bed, the weight of the night heavy on his shoulders. As she rested, the only sound in the room was the soft rhythm of her breathing. He couldn't help but wonder what would happen when she woke—and how she would react.
No matter what he cannot remove her from his system, it's like engraved in his memory deeply.
Her flushed skin. Her pleas for help. The way he'd felt her body tremble under his hands as he placed her in the water. He hadn't wanted to look at her that way, hadn't meant to feel the strange pull she seemed to have over him. But the intensity of the moment had made it impossible to ignore. He'd spent hours beside her, his mind at war with itself, fighting urges he didn't even want to acknowledge.
"Fucking shit man! I am 25 and she may not be even 18! How could I have such thoughts for her? Cannot believe it!"
He ran a hand through his hair, shaking off the thought. She was just a girl in need. He had been the one to step in and helped her. That's all there was to it.
There shouldn't be nothing more-nothing less!