Page 57 of Chased By My Grumpy Alpha
“It was big! And it had teeth!” I continue about the fish, distracted by the warmth of Lucian’s shirt enveloping my shoulders.
I feel his chest rumble with what I think is suppressed laughter as he adjusts the fabric around me, making sure I’m covered but not bothering with the buttons in his haste. “You were attacked by a fish.”
The shirt is warm from his body heat and smells like him—like pine and something uniquely masculine. I can feel his fingers trembling slightly against my exposed skin.
“Don’t laugh at me,” I protest, but I’m starting to feel foolish now that the initial shock has passed. “It startled me.”
“I’m not laughing.” But there’s definitely amusement in his voice as he lifts me easily out of the water, his shirt hanging loosely around my shoulders. “I’m just impressed that you managed to find the one aggressive fish in this otherwise peaceful stream.”
He carries me to the bank and sets me down gently on a large rock. I pull his shirt closer around my shoulders. Only then do I fully appreciate that he is now topless, with water dripping from his hair and running down his bare chest.
“You got wet,” I say unnecessarily, suddenly very aware of how the afternoon light plays across his bare torso. I’ve seen him shirtless before, when I was tending to his wounds, but this is different. This is Lucian half-naked and beautiful in the golden afternoon light, water droplets caught in the dark hair that trails down his stomach, muscles shifting under bronzed skin as he moves.
Heat floods through me, starting low in my belly and spreading outward until my entire body feels like it’s on fire. My breasts feel heavy and achy, and there’s a strange throbbing between my legs that I don’t understand. My breath comes short and quick, and I can’t seem to look away from the sight of him.
“Astra.” His voice is rougher now, and when I finally drag my gaze up to his face, I see dark hunger in his eyes. “You need to button that thing.”
I look down and realize the shirt is hanging open, barely covering me. With trembling hands, I reach for the buttons, but my fingers are shaking so badly I can’t even manage the first one.
“Here,” he says quietly, stepping closer. “Let me.”
His fingers brush against mine as he takes over, working the buttons with careful precision. His movements are steady and controlled, but I notice how he closes his eyes with each accidental touch of his knuckles against my skin.
“Better?” His hands linger on my shoulders when he finishes, his thumbs tracing small circles on the fabric.
I nod, not trusting my voice. When I stand up, Lucian’s shirt falls to mid-thigh on me, covering me decently but leaving my legs bare. I feel small and feminine wrapped in his clothes, like I’ve been claimed in some primitive way.
When I look at him, his gaze sweeps over me slowly, and I see his jaw clench. “You should get dressed.”
“My clothes are still damp,” I point out, gesturing to the garments I washed and left on the nearby rocks to dry. “I rinsed them out before I got in the water.”
He sighs. “Then, sit in the sun until they dry.”
I settle on a flat rock, tucking my legs under me, hyperaware of his presence beside the stream. He’s still shirtless, still beautiful, and I can’t seem to stop stealing glances at him.
“Why is your face all red?” he asks suddenly, and there’s a mischievous note in his voice that makes my cheeks burn even hotter.
“It’s not red.”
“It’s very red.” He moves closer, studying my cheeks with mock concern. “Are you feeling ill? Feverish, perhaps?”
“I’m fine,” I mumble, but I know I’m bright scarlet now.
“Hmm.” He reaches out and presses the back of his hand to my forehead, the gesture surprisingly tender. “You do feel warm.”
His touch sends another wave of heat through me, and I have to resist the urge to lean into it. “I’m just—It’s warm out.”
“Is it?” His fingers trail along my hairline, and I see satisfaction flicker in his eyes at my reaction. “I hadn’t noticed.”
He’s teasing me, I realize. Not in a cruel way, but with the kind of gentle mockery that suggests he knows exactly why I’m blushing and finds it amusing. The thought should embarrass me further, but instead, it sends a different kind of thrill through me.
“Maybe I should bathe, as well,” he says casually, stepping backward toward the stream. “I’m probably just as dirty as you were.”
“That’s a good idea,” I manage, trying to sound normal. “I’ll keep guard. Make sure no aggressive fish attack you.”
He smirks at that, already reaching for his belt. “How considerate of you.”
“I promise not to sneak a peek,” I add quickly, turning my back to him with what I hope looks like firm resolve.
