Capítulo 14: A Goodbye
Satisfied, I lowered my sword and made my way back towards the dojo. The evening light was fading, casting long shadows across the grounds as I pushed through the doors. Inside, the dojo was dimly lit, the warm glow of lanterns creating a sense of calm and solitude. I glanced around, half-expecting to see Sophie waiting there, but the hall was empty.
My shoulders sagged slightly as I sighed, the silence pressing in on me. I needed to clean up, clear my head before dinner. A bath sounded perfect right now. With that thought in mind, I headed for the bathroom.
Pushing open the door, I stepped inside, only to freeze as the scene before me came into focus.
Sophie.
She was sitting in the wooden, square-shaped bath, her head tilted back and eyes closed, arms resting on the sides of the tub. Her long hair was damp and clung to her bare shoulders, strands falling loosely over her chest. The warm steam from the water rose around her, curling in the air like a soft, ethereal mist.
For a moment, I couldn't move—couldn't even breathe. The sight of her there, completely relaxed and unaware of my presence, struck me like a blow to the chest. My eyes roamed over her, taking in the way the water glistened on her skin, the soft curves of her body just visible beneath the surface.
Sophie's head tilted slightly, and her eyes fluttered open as if sensing my presence. A slow smile spread across her lips as she caught sight of me standing there, frozen at the door.
"Enjoying the view, are we?" she teased, her voice carrying a husky edge, each word dripping with playful amusement. She lifted one arm languidly out of the water, droplets running down her skin as she stretched lazily. "Well, don't just stand there, Zark. You're letting the steam out."
I expected to feel the usual jolt of embarrassment or nervousness at being caught staring, but instead, a strange calm settled over me. Maybe it was the past few days of intense training, the exhaustion dulling my usual reactions. Or maybe, it was something else. But for once, I didn't look away. I didn't stammer or fumble for an excuse.
Instead, I stepped further into the room, the door closing softly behind me. Sophie's smile faltered ever so slightly as I reached down and took hold of the hem of my tunic.
"Who's the one blushing now?" I murmured, voice low and challenging.
Her eyes widened slightly, a flash of surprise breaking through her otherwise composed expression as I slipped my tunic off in one smooth motion. The fabric fell away, revealing the hard lines of muscle that had been honed through endless days of training. Sophie's gaze traveled over my chest, the flicker of something more than teasing glinting in her eyes as I took another step closer.
"Well… look at you," she breathed, leaning back against the tub as if trying to regain her composure. "You've grown some confidence, haven't you?"
"I had a good teacher," I replied, letting the words linger in the air. There was no hint of hesitation in my movements as I reached for the waistband of my breeches, watching the way her eyes followed my hands, her playful demeanor cracking ever so slightly.
She tilted her head, a smirk playing at the corners of her lips. "Careful, Zark. You're starting to become… interesting."
I couldn't help but chuckle, a sense of satisfaction flooding through me as I saw her caught off guard for once. I moved closer to the edge of the tub, leaning over slightly, our faces just inches apart. The steam curled around us, the scent of the water mingling with something distinctly… her.
"Am I?" I asked softly, letting my gaze drop to her lips for the briefest of moments before meeting her eyes again.
The air between us seemed to crackle, the charged tension thicker than ever. But this time, I was the one in control.
I moved with deliberate slowness toward the tub, letting the anticipation build in the air. Sophie's eyes, wide and curious, followed every step I took. The way she watched me—lips slightly parted, a flicker of surprise behind her confident demeanor—told me she hadn't expected this reaction.
Good.
I stopped at the edge of the tub, hands reaching down to the hem of my breeches. With a calmness that belied the racing pulse in my chest, I slipped them off in one smooth motion. The cool air brushed against my bare skin, but I didn't let it distract me. I saw Sophie's gaze flicker, caught between curiosity and something else—something darker, more primal. Her eyes roamed over my body, drinking in the sight of me standing before her, completely exposed.
I didn't flinch. Instead, I leaned down, bringing my face just inches from hers. The water rippled slightly from her breath, its warmth mingling with the cool air between us. For a moment, I let the tension simmer—our eyes locked, her mouth so close I could almost taste it.
Then, just as she began to lean in, those soft lashes fluttering shut, I shifted back. The slightest hint of confusion crossed her face before she hid it beneath a teasing smile.
"What's the matter, Zark?" she purred, her voice low and breathy. "Changed your mind already?"
I smirked but didn't respond. Instead, I turned my back to her and walked—completely bare—to the bathroom door. Her amusement shifted to curiosity, and I could feel her gaze burning into me as I reached for the handle.
"What are you doing?" she asked, a hint of impatience seeping through her tone.
I didn't answer right away. Slowly, I closed the door with a soft click, sealing us in. The steam thickened around us, wrapping the space in a heady warmth. I turned back, meeting her gaze with a calm, almost lazy smile.
"Wouldn't want the heat to escape," I said, my voice steady, though the look in her eyes threatened to unravel me. It was a dangerous mix of irritation, intrigue, and a growing hunger that mirrored my own.
Sophie leaned back against the edge of the tub, eyes never leaving mine. "You really are full of surprises, aren't you?"
"Just keeping things interesting," I replied, my tone laced with an edge of challenge.
Slowly, I made my way back to her. The floorboards creaked softly beneath my feet, each step drawing me closer, until I stood right beside her. I watched as her gaze traveled the length of my body once more, a lingering look that sent a shiver down my spine. She was trying to stay composed, to keep control of the situation, but I could see it—the faint tremor in her breath, the way her fingers gripped the edge of the tub just a little too tightly.
I knelt down beside the water, reaching out a hand to trail my fingers along the surface. Sophie's eyes flicked down to follow the movement, her own hand drifting slightly in response. The water was warm against my skin, a sharp contrast to the cool air outside.
Without breaking eye contact, I dipped my hand lower, closer to hers, but not quite touching. The space between us crackled with unspoken desire, a promise of what could be if either one of us dared to close the gap.
And yet… I didn't.
I stayed just out of reach, letting the anticipation build, the tension coil tighter and tighter. Sophie's smile wavered, just for a second, before she forced it back into place.
"You really like playing with fire, don't you?" she murmured, her voice a low, dangerous whisper.
I chuckled softly. "Maybe I just enjoy the heat."
And with that, I leaned back, giving her one last lingering look before I straightened up, walking around the tub with slow, deliberate steps. Sophie's eyes followed me, burning with a mixture of confusion and frustration.
When I reached the other side, I paused, looking down at her. The steam curled around us, thick and suffocating, wrapping everything in a hazy, dreamlike fog. I could see the questions in her gaze, the way she was trying to figure out what game I was playing.
"Relax," I said softly, my voice barely more than a whisper. "I'm not going anywhere."
And then, I slipped into the water beside her, the heat wrapping around me like a second skin. I didn't reach out, didn't touch her. I simply leaned back, resting my head against the edge of the tub, eyes half-closed as if I hadn't a care in the world.
Sophie shifted beside me, the water rippling with her movement. I could feel the warmth of her body, just inches away, so close and yet so far. Her scent, a faint mix of lavender and something else—something uniquely hers—filled the space between us, making it almost impossible to think straight.
We stayed like that for what felt like an eternity—silent, unmoving, the tension thrumming between us like a living thing. And then, slowly, almost hesitantly, Sophie reached out, her fingers brushing lightly against my arm.
I opened my eyes, turning to look at her. She was staring at me, her expression unreadable, a dozen emotions flickering behind those bright eyes. For a moment, neither of us spoke.
Then, finally, she sighed, leaning back against the tub with a soft, resigned laugh. "You really are impossible, you know that?"
I grinned, the cocky smile returning in full force. "I've been told."
She shook her head, a small smile playing at her lips. "Just… don't think you can keep surprising me forever, Zark."
"Who said I planned on stopping?"
Sophie rolled her eyes but didn't reply. Instead, she simply closed her eyes, letting the steam and the silence wash over us both. I watched her for a moment longer before I leaned back as well, closing my own eyes.
Whatever this was between us… it was far from over.
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