A knock at the bathroom door pulled her back.
"Come in."
Ravi stepped inside and held out her medication without ceremony. She had forgotten it entirely in the fog of the morning.
"Your drugs," he said, already turning to leave.
"Thank you." Her hand found his arm before she had made any conscious decision to reach for it.
He stopped and looked back at her. "What is it?"
She looked down at her own hand on his arm for a brief moment, as though she too was slightly surprised to find it there.
"Can you get me a glass of water?"
"Sure," he said.
She let go.
He left to get it and she turned back to the mirror and looked at her own reflection for a moment.
Ravi turned back to the bathroom with the glass of water and froze in the doorway. Aine stood there in nothing but a delicate pair of lace undies, the soft fabric hugging her hips and clinging to every curve. Her smooth skin glowed under the warm bathroom lights. His throat tightened. What the hell was she trying to do?
He stepped forward and handed her the water without a word. She took the medications quickly, then set the glass aside. Her eyes never left his.
Aine took his hands in hers, her fingers trembling with raw need, and turned the shower on. Warm water poured down over both of them, instantly soaking her thin bra and panties. The wet fabric turned almost transparent, molding tightly to the full swell of her breasts and the curve of her ass.
Without breaking eye contact, she stepped closer until her dripping body pressed flush against his. She leaned in, capturing his lower lip between hers. She sucked it slowly and sensually, then nibbled and tugged with her teeth, her tongue teasing along the seam of his mouth, begging him to open for her.
Ravi stood completely still, every muscle in his body tense with shock.
Aine took his large hands and placed them firmly on her waist, sliding them slowly down over the slick curve of her hips, silently urging him to grip her. The hot water cascaded between them as she arched her back, pressing her hardened nipples against his chest. Her breath was ragged, her body burning with desire.
Still, he didn't move.
Undeterred, she kissed him deeper hungrier her mouth claiming his as she pressed her thigh between his legs. Her hands roamed up his chest, fingers digging into his shirt. She rocked her hips against him shamelessly, letting him feel the heat and wetness of her body, showing him exactly how much she needed him in that moment soaked, aching, and completely desperate for his touch.
He remained still.
Her temperature was abnormally warm. On a normal day, Aine would never have allowed this but tonight was different. I reached over and turned off the shower.
"What did you just do?" she asked, her voice thin and confused.
"You need a good sleep, Aine," I said quietly. I wrapped her in a towel and carried her to bed.
Out in the hallway, Hayland was waiting.
"Where were you?" he asked, eyeing my damp clothes.
"Aine's room," I said.
A slow smirk crossed his face. "Really? You look wet. I hope you enjoyed yourself."
"It's not like that," I said firmly. "She isn't fine. She's been acting strange ever since Jokull's abduction."
Hayland's expression shifted. "I'll pass by and check on her."
"Sure."
Hours Later
Hayland pushed open the door and stopped. Aine was jolting up and down on the bed in her sleep, her body restless and tormented. He crossed the room quickly, and the moment he reached her, she lurched upright and pulled him into a desperate hug.
"What's the problem, Aine?"
"I remember everything." Her voice came out broken, barely a whisper. "He touched me… and I touched him back. I gave him a kiss — willingly. I enjoyed myself."
"Relax, Aine—"
"No!" She pulled back, her eyes wild. "I told him not to stop. I remember it now. I remember it."
Tears spilled down her cheeks as she collapsed against him, her shoulders shaking uncontrollably.
Hayland held her for a moment before reaching for the glass of water on the nightstand. "Take this," he said softly, "and go back to sleep."
She took it with trembling hands and drank. Then, after a long pause, she looked up at him.
"Can you keep this a secret? I don't want Ravi to hear about it."
Hayland studied her face — the fear in it, the shame. "I'll think about it," he said quietly. "Go to sleep."
"Okay," she whispered, and slowly lay back down
Ravi had just returned from his gym session and changed back into his pyjamas, his muscles still warm from the workout, when the door swung open without a knock. He turned to find Hayland standing in the doorway, his face unreadable.
"What is it?" Ravi asked.
"She needs help," Hayland said.
"Has she had a convulsion?"
"No." Hayland stepped inside and closed the door behind him. "It's about your brother."
"I'm responsible for anything that goes wrong in her life," Ravi said, his jaw tight.
Hayland shook his head. "It's not that, Ravi. He left a scar on her."
"We can treat her."
"No ,not that kind of scar." Hayland paused, choosing his words carefully. "Jokull slept with her. From her own will, or so it seemed. I surmise she was drugged."
Ravi's expression darkened. "I saw a syringe on the floor when I went into the room." He exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. "Gosh. She is going to blame herself forever. That's why she's still acting tipsy and unguarded."
"You need to talk to her right now," Hayland said.
Aine pulled the blanket up to her chest. As though forcing the tears away, she turned to face Ravi.
"What is it, Ravi?"
"I'm sorry, Aine." His voice was low, heavy. "I'm responsible for all of this. I should have reached you before it happened."
"After everything, Ravi" she swallowed hard "I'm not a good wife."
"You are fine."
"Why?" Her voice cracked. "After everything you've been doing for me, I thought we were building something together. But I am the betrayer. I couldn't stop him or let me say, I didn't stop him, because I liked it. I was all red for him. I asked for more. More of everything kisses, hugs, intimacy. I was the one demanding."