Page 56 of Chased By My Grumpy Alpha
“It’s right there,” I continue, stepping closer to him. “And I really, truly need this. You have no idea how awful it feels for me to be this dirty for so long. My hair feels like straw, and my skin is all grimy, and—”
“Fine.” The word comes out sharp, almost exasperated.
I beam at him, secretly pleased with my victory. “But you have to keep guard,” I instruct him as we make our way down the hill. “Make sure no one attacks me while I’m vulnerable.”
Something flickers in his expression at the word “vulnerable,” but he nods. “I’ll stay by that tree. Yell if you need anything.”
The stream is perfect—not too deep, with a gentle current and smooth stones along the bottom. I test the water with my hand and shiver slightly. Cold, but not unbearably so.
Lucian positions himself next to a large oak tree, his back carefully turned to the water. For a moment, I marvel at his broad shoulders, the way he holds himself alert and ready despite the relaxed pose.
“This is going to be nice,” I call out as I begin unlacing my boots. “It’s been so long since I’ve had a proper wash.”
“Mm-hmm.” His response is noncommittal, but I catch the slight tilt of his head that means he’s listening.
I slip out of my travel-stained clothes and quickly rinse them in the stream before setting them on some rocks next to the riverto dry. Then, bringing with me the tiny soap I have had packed away in my bag, I wade into the water, gasping softly as the cool current rises around my legs. It feels incredible after over two weeks of dust and sweat.
“You know,” I say conversationally as I begin washing up, “you’re going to have to find someone new to guard after this. Someone just as annoying as me to follow and boss around.”
I’m partly joking, but there’s a strange ache in my chest at the thought of Lucian moving on to his next job, his next client. Someone else will benefit from his fierce protectiveness, his unexpected gentleness, his reluctant smiles.
“I don’t boss you around.” I can hear the frown in his voice. “You’re the one who bosses me around.”
I grin at his words. “What? Little ol’ me? How could I possibly boss you around?”
He scoffs at that.
“I bet you’re glad we’ll be parting ways soon. I know you think I’m annoying.”
“You’re not annoying.” His voice is quiet but firm.
I laugh, tilting my head back in the water to wet my hair. “You don’t have to lie to spare my feelings. I know I talk too much and ask for impossible things and generally make your life difficult.”
I stand up straight again, pushing wet hair back from my face. He doesn’t respond, but I catch the slight tension in his shoulders, as if my words have affected him somehow.
“I mean it as a compliment,” I continue, working soap through my hair. “You’re very patient with annoying people. It’s probably a valuable skill in your line of work.”
Nothing but silence from over by the tree. I’m about to make another teasing comment when something brushes against my leg in the water. I glance down just in time to see a large fish darting toward me, its mouth open.
“Ah!” I cry out, stumbling backward as the fish nips at my ankle. My foot slips on the smooth stones, and I lose my balance, arms windmilling frantically as I fall.
I hit the water with a splash, going under completely. The current isn’t strong, but the shock of full submersion makes me panic for a moment. I surface sputtering, water streaming from my hair, my heart pounding.
“Astra!”
Lucian’s voice is sharp with alarm, and I hear the splash of him entering the water before I even clear the hair from my eyes. His strong arms wrap around me, pulling me against his hard chest, and suddenly, I’m surrounded by his warmth.
“Are you hurt?” His hands move over me quickly, checking for injuries, and I realize dimly that I’m completely naked in his arms. I feel his whole body go stiff as the same realization hits him, and his breathing becomes ragged. “What happened?”
His voice comes out strained, and when I look up at him, his eyes are dark and intense, his jaw clenched tight like he’s fighting some internal battle. I can feel the tension radiating from him, the way his hands shake slightly where they rest against my bare skin.
“A fish,” I gasp, still shaken. “It tried to bite me, and I slipped.”
“A fish.” His voice is flat with disbelief, but even as he speaks, he’s already using one arm to pull his shirt over his head while still holding me in the water.
“What are you doing?” I ask, confused and still winded from my fall.
The wet fabric clings briefly before he yanks it free, revealing his bare chest. “Covering you,” he says simply, putting the shirt on me even though we’re still waist-deep in the stream.
