The atmosphere in Nora's room, which moments ago had been charged with tension and heat, shattered with a loud knock at the door.
KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK!
The sound echoed like thunder, startling both Charles and Nora.
Their naked bodies, still close to each other, tensed, and for a moment, they exchanged confused glances, as if trying to process what had just happened.
The spark that had been building between them fizzled out, replaced by a mix of embarrassment and alertness.
Charles, his heart still racing, grabbed his tunic from the floor and threw it on haphazardly, covering his wet body as best he could.
Nora, still sitting on the floor, looked lost, her eyes wide and cheeks red, unsure what to do.
Before either could speak, a commanding male voice boomed from the other side of the door.
"Rian!" the voice shouted, and Charles winced, recognizing it instantly.
It was Kain, his half-brother, and his bossy tone didn't bode well.
"You in there?"
