"Ehh?!"I froze the moment I registered what Zarah had just said.
She wanted to join me?
Before I could respond, she stepped closer—silent, steady—and reached for the leather ties of her chest wrap.
My brain stalled. She wasn't actually...
But yes, she was. With calm, unhurried movements, she began loosening the bindings.
I stood there like an idiot, paralyzed.
What the hell was happening?
As the wrap came undone, my trance finally shattered.
"Wait...don't!"
Too late.
She peeled the garment off and let it fall to the grass with a soft thud.
I spun around so fast I nearly lost my footing and fell straight into the pond, just to avoid seeing her bare chest.
I heard the soft rustle of fabric behind me—the unmistakable sound of her untying the sash at her waist.
I muttered without turning, voice low and awkward,"Uh… Zarah, you don't have to..."
A loud splash cut me off.
She'd jumped into the water.
