Athena locked the door behind her the second it clicked shut.
The silence in the master suite was profound. Unlike the rest of the house, it was warm here. The air was thick with the scent of cedarwood, antiseptic, and something distinctly masculine.
The room was massive, dominated by a dark bed that looked untouched.
The coughing had stopped.
She heard the faint sound of draining water coming from the bathroom.
She moved quickly. Her dress was travel-stained, and the damp chill of the guest room still clung to her bones. She needed to wash off the Madden house. She needed to wash off the past.
The bathroom door was ajar. Steam billowed out.
Athena pushed it open. It was empty. The shower stall was glass, still dripping.
She didn't hesitate. She stripped off the white dress, leaving it in a pile on the tile floor. She stepped into the shower and turned the handle.
Hot water hit her skin like a blessing. She grabbed a bottle of black shower gel-Caesar's. She lathered it over her skin, covering herself in his scent. Sandalwood and rain.
Through the rush of water, she heard a commotion outside the bedroom door. Muffled shouting.
Athena turned off the water. She strained her ears.
"I know she's in there!" It was Alanna's voice. Shrill. Demanding. "Caesar, for your own safety! She's unstable!"
Athena smiled grimly. Alanna had come to 'rescue' her, which really meant ensuring Athena hadn't actually charmed the beast.
Athena stepped out of the shower. She didn't have fresh clothes.
She looked at the hook on the door. A dark grey silk robe hung there. It was huge.
Perfect.
She slipped her arms into it. The silk was cool against her heated skin. It swallowed her frame. She rolled the sleeves up, once, twice, three times, until her hands emerged. The oversized garment made her look small, fragile, and undeniably intimate.
She unlocked the bathroom door and stepped back into the bedroom.
At the exact same moment, the main bedroom door burst open.
It wasn't a key. Derik had kicked it.
Caesar wheeled into the room, his face a mask of thunderous fury. He had heard an intruder. He was ready to kill.
"Who the hell-"
His voice died.
He stared. Athena stood in the center of his sanctuary, barefoot, water dripping from the ends of her hair onto the Persian rug. She was wearing his robe. The lapels gaped slightly, revealing the creamy skin of her collarbone.
Derik, realizing the nature of the 'intruder,' immediately turned his back and pulled the broken door shut, standing guard outside.
Caesar's hands gripped his wheels. "What are you doing?" His voice was low, dangerous.
Athena didn't flinch. She walked toward him. "Emily said the plumbing in the guest room was broken. She told me to use this one."
She blamed the maid without blinking.
She stopped in front of him and crouched down, bringing her face level with his. The smell of his own soap on her skin hit him.
"You don't mind, do you, husband?"
The word hung in the air. Husband.
Outside, Alanna's voice rose again, screeching through the wood. "Mr. Williamson! My sister is dangerous! Let us take her!"
Caesar's jaw ticked. He looked at the door, annoyed by the noise.
Athena placed a hand on his knee. It was a bold move. He stiffened, but he didn't shove her away.
"That's my sister," Athena whispered. "She wants to take me back. Please... don't let her take me."
Her eyes were wide, pleading. It was a performance, but the fear of going back to the Maddens was real.
Caesar looked at her hand on his knee. Then he looked at her face. He knew she was manipulating him. He knew she was playing a game.
But he hated the screaming woman outside more.
"Push me," he commanded.
Athena stood up. A small, victorious smile touched her lips. She moved behind the wheelchair and gripped the handles.
