Page 60 of The Hero Within
"What about CJ?" Eden asked, watching the stretcher head across the cavern. Without her.
"My healers will see to him," Nnedi assured her.
Colton stepped forward. "Do you know when—"
"Later," said the albino sharply, and then he graced them with a softer smile. "The alpha shall have answers for you, and you can visit your friend after you're refreshed. Until then, friend, relax and enjoy the company of the pack. You are free to wander our caves, but I should warn you: these are dangerous lands, and we have people on watch outside. It would not be wise to leave the caves, in case you are mistaken for intruders. Bobbi shall accompany you throughout the caves, to ensure no harm comes to you within them."
"We'll keep that in mind." Colton managed a smile as he grabbed her hand.
Their eyes met.
Trapped,she told him silently.
For now,he returned, with a faint arch of his brow.
Chapter Twelve
Johnny pacedthe small room they'd been shown to, keeping his back to Eden as she washed. A pile of furs rested in the corner—a bed he presumed—and a washbasin and jugs of water had been set out for the pair of them. A loose curtain hung over the door, woven with exquisite skill. It reminded him a little of some of his mother's craft. Through it he could just make out the shape of the warg who waited out there for "their protection."
"Are these quarters?" Eden murmured. "Or a cell?"
She’d picked up on the same thing he had.
"This place smells like wolf," he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck. "And I don’t know if I like the sound of this 'alpha.'" As far as he was concerned, the excitement he'd felt earlier was sloughing off as their position became clear.
Nnedi had pulled the wool over his eyes with her talk of guests and being protected. A smile, a joke, a story about the origin of wargs, and suddenly he'd been at ease. She was good.
Water dripped behind him. Johnny squeezed his eyes shut as his cock roused. He'd been on his very best behavior ever since they were shown to the room. The second Eden saw the water her eyes lit up, but with their guard, he couldn't exactly wait in the hall. And she'd had blood and dirt on her skin. He'd seen her excitement fade when she realized he couldn't leave, and hence she couldn't make full use of the amenities.
Until he very pointedly turned around and said, "Soap's in my bag."
Every moment alone with Eden was becoming torture.
Especially now she'd begun to trust him. It made his chest ache a little, for she'd have never allowed him to remain in here with her two days ago.
Which meant he couldn't do a damned thing to destroy that fragile olive branch.
He wanted her trust, curse it. He wanted more than that, if he was being honest, because there was a heat between them he ached to explore. Today's flirtation had gotten out of hand, and it only stirred his hope.
Eden wanted him. He hadn't missed the look in her eye, the way she squirmed when he told her exactly what he wanted to do to her.
Eden Fucking McClain ruined him with but a single sultry glance. He couldn't help feeling like there was a mountain of unfinished business between them.
And if he couldn't ease the tension, then something inside him was going to erupt.
"You done yet?" he muttered, scenting her soap.
Fabric shifted behind him. "Nearly."
He shifted the hard ache behind his jeans.
"Safe," she murmured, and he could make out the sounds of cotton being dragged over skin.
Johnny turned around slowly.
The first thing he noticed was her bare legs. Eden dragged the hem of her clean tank down, black to match her no-nonsense panties. Catching him looking at her legs, she arched a brow and reached for her jeans.
"You might want to make use of the water too," she said, screwing her nose up. "You've got blood on your shirt."
