Chapter 95 After That Kiss

Chapter 95 After That Kiss
“Waaaaa!”
Skai’s cry shattered whatever tension had built between them.
The sound acted as an immediate death knell to their rising passion. Their breaths came in ragged, uneven gasps. Terrified of what she was about to surrender to, Michelle hastily turned her face away, breaking the kiss with a sharp intake of air.
Her chest heaved wildly, her skin flushed a violent scarlet all the way to the tips of her ears.
Shax remained exactly where he was, his breathing just as undone, but the corners of his lips slowly curved upward, forming a deeply infuriating grin.
He reached out, cupping Michelle’s wet cheek. His thumb brushed her now swollen, red bottom lip. He tried to make eye contact, but Michelle resisted, glancing at the tiles, the faucet, the soap, anywhere but his golden eyes.
Shax laughed lowly, the vibrations reaching Michelle’s chest. “Yeah, I’m a pervert,” he whispered in a husky voice. “But I’m not the only one. Am I?”
His gaze drifted down, tracing the clear, rippling water, directly to Michelle's hips, which had been so brazenly lifted toward him just seconds ago.
She qickly bent her knees, crossed her arms over her stomach, and covered her lower body in panic.
"Where exactly do you think your eyes are going?!"
Shax laughed again, more freely this time. He pressed his hand against the edge of the porcelain and pushed himself up. Water dripped profusely from his soaked hair and shirt.
"Finish cleaning up properly," Shax said casually, looking down at her like a predator watching its captive. "If I still see a single speck of dirt on your skin when you come out... I'll be back to wash it off myself."
He raised his hands to the collar of his shirt, stripped off his wet clothes. His shirt, belt, and pants fell to the marble floor with a heavy, wet thud.
Michelle let out a muffled squeak of embarrassment, instantly turning her face completely toward the tiled wall. She held her breath, squeezing her eyes shut until she heard Shax's bare footsteps padding across the floor, followed by the definitive click of the door closing.
Silence reigned again. Skai's cries outside had also died away; he must have calmed her down.
Michelle was left alone, sinking slowly until half her face was submerged beneath the warm water. She blew bubbles through her nose, cursing herself furiously.
What did I do?! she screamed silently. Why did I close my eyes?! Why did you... ugh! Why did you lift your hips?!
Michelle lifted her hands from the water, slapping her own hips in exasperation. The heat from the kiss still clung to her lips like a poison that refused to wash away.
She forced herself to refocus. Grabbing the pine-scented soap, she began to scrub her dirty, scratched body with quick, rough movements. She had to banish these crazy thoughts.
As the soapy water rinsed away the dried blood on her arms, Michelle's gaze shifted to the closed wooden door.
This man is too crazy. Now, how am I supposed to get Skai out of here? Should I try... that again?
After rolling out of the bathtub and pulling on some loose clothing she found folded on the sink, Michelle stepped out of the bathroom. The main room was deserted. The large bed in the middle of the room looked so inviting. Her broken, bruised, and exhausted body seemed to be screaming to be laid down.
Just five minutes, she promised herself, crawling onto the mattress and pulling the charcoal blanket up to her chin.
I'll just close my eyes for a moment to plan an escape route.
...
Damn it.
Michelle's eyelids snapped open with a violent jerk. The dark gray ceiling of the room greeted her vision. Her muscles felt leaden, almost as if they were cast in solid cement.
How could I fall asleep the exact second my head hit the pillow?! What kind of brilliant escape plan is this?! What time is it?!
A deep chuckle came from the doorway. "You slept like a baby."
Michelle turned stiffly. Shax stood leaning against the doorframe, his arms crossed over his broad chest, now clad in a tight black shirt. His hair had dried, falling messily across his forehead, making him look both wild and annoying.
"I am... exhausted," Michelle snapped, dragging herself into a sitting position with great difficulty, pulling the duvet flush against her chest like a shield.
She cleared her throat, desperate to deflect the mounting awkwardness. "Where is Skai? Has he had breakfast yet? I should—"
Shax laughed, a rich baritone that vibrated the very air around them. He straightened up and walked slowly into the room. "Breakfast? He'll be having dinner after this."
Michelle's movements stopped in midair. Her head quickly turned toward the large window at the side of the room, pulling aside the thick velvet curtains with a single tug.
Shit.
The sky outside was a beautiful shade of orange with a purple shimmer. The sun was already setting in the west.
Oh, great. I slept for an entire day? Even a hibernating bear would feel challenged by my sleeping record.
Michelle hastily smoothed down her wild hair, which had stuck out in all directions after she caught a fleeting glimpse of her reflection in the glass. Taking a deep breath, she turned to face him.
"What about Rachel?" Michelle demanded, changing the subject as aggressively as possible. "Is she... secured?"
Shax stepped closer, his imposing shadow stretching over the bed. "Yes. She's currently on her way back to her village. I sent her under the guard of my most trusted men."
Michelle let out a slow sigh, a massive weight lifting off her shoulders. However, her gaze sharpened immediately. "So, have you found out what Sylas's true plans are for Skai?"
Instead of answering, Shax closed the remaining distance between them, making her wary skyrocket. His hand slowly lifted. Michelle's heart leaped as his rough knuckles brushed the corner of her lips.
"There's drool there," Shax murmured in a low, deeply amused purr, his golden gaze locking completely onto hers.
Michelle's face instantly caught fire.