Page 155 of Carnal Games

He’s right.

I’m way out of my depth here.

My body is shaking as I run down the hallway, wiping away a wayward tear and feeling a stream on its way. Pushing my way into the women’s restroom, I rush to the sinks, struggling to breathe.

Everything hurts at once.

Why is this happening? Why can’t I breathe? I can sense a panic attack brewing. I haven’t had one since I was in high school and had to be a host at my senior-year farewell party.

The more I think about how I’m running late to the meeting, the more my surroundings begin to blur. I clutch the edge of the sink, holding myself up. My state worsens as cramps twist my stomach.

The faint noise of a door opening tickles my ears.

Who’s here?

Just as my grip slackens around the marble counter, a strong arm wraps around my waist. A commanding voice says, “Take a deep breath.”

“Kian?” I croak out.

“I got you, rainbow.”

Four simple words and my world centers around them.

Chapter Forty

Iris

“Listen to my voice,” Kian murmurs in a calm voice, rubbing one hand up and down my spine. “Breathe in.”

The tremors won’t stop racking my body. “I-I can’t.”

“Yes, you can.” Twisting me sideways, he tilts my head back. I blink several times until his rugged face comes into focus. Pushing my sticky hair back, he says, “Do it with me. Take a deep breath.”

The softness in his beautiful eyes and the steadiness in his command settle deep inside me and I listen to him, inhaling deeply through my nose.

So does he.

“Let it out… slowly.”

I do, feeling the steady rise and fall of his chest underneath my palm.

“Again.”

Every controlled breath we take lessens the choking pressure that’s taken my heart and lungs hostage. I lean on him some more, clutching his biceps.

“You’re okay,” he rasps. “Let the feeling pass.”

Burying my face right below his pecs, I close my eyes and allow his scent to wash over me. It grounds me. Everything about him does.

His deep voice.

His fingers gliding and massaging my back in soothing circles.

Until the numbness wanes and my nerves dissipate.

“Tell me what happened, Iris,” he probes once I lift my head, but he doesn’t let me go. “What made you panic?”

How do I tell a man who’s always so confident and authoritative that talking in front of a bunch of high-profile people sent me running here? Or that I can’t handle office politics and stand up for myself in front of Arjun?