Page 36 of Alpha Chained

Something bad has happened.

“What’s going on?” I follow him into the bathroom. He’s stepped into the shower stall and turned on the faucet. He stands beneath the steady stream, water cascading over his head and down the hard lines of his body. I watch it form rivulets around the muscles of his shoulders and his back. His head is bowed, and more water streams from his forehead to his chin before pouring onto his chest.

“Riot?” I stand beside the stall, my hand on the doorframe. He looks up at me, and my heart stops. There’s anguish there. “Please tell me what’s going on?” I’m growing anxious. “Is it Parker? Did he do something?” Something else dawns. “Is he sending you away? Taking me from you?”

The thought of it horrifies me.

“Come in here with me,” he says.

I frown. “In the shower?”

“Yes. Get in the shower with me.”

This is unexpected. But something tells me not to ask questions. I peel off his T-shirt that I’ve been wearing and step out of the oversized shorts. He moves back so I can step in beside him. My hair clings to my face as water pours over me. He raises a hand hesitantly and then brushes it away. It makes my breath catch. Or maybe it’s because we’re both dripping wet, and my naked breasts are just an inch away from his bare chest.

“What’s wrong?” I ask again.

He raises a finger to his lips and then glances around meaningfully.

Understanding dawns.

Shit.

“They’re watching?” I whisper, my jaw clenching as our suspicions are confirmed.

He nods, then leans in close, his lips almost brushing my ear. It sends a tingle through my skin. “We have to get out of this place,” he murmurs so low I can barely hear him. I tilt my head slightly to catch his words, and water streams down my throat to my shoulder and over my breasts. A quick look down shows me that my nipples have tightened to hard peaks. But I can’t worry about that right now because his words are registering.

“Get out?” I mouth the words.

He nods again. “As soon as possible. We can’t stay.”

“But why…?” I begin, wondering what caused this sudden change.

“I’ll explain later.” He aims another glance around the room, then cups my cheek in one giant palm. “I’m sorry, I’m going to touch you, or he’s going to wonder what we’re doing in here.”

“Touch me?” I lick my lips. His fingertips trail down my throat, following the path of the water to my shoulder. My stomach does a somersault, and my nipples tighten further – if that’s even possible.

“Put your arms around my waist,” he says, guiding my wrist down and draping it over his hip. My hand automatically cups his beefy ass, the muscles hard beneath my palm.

My God, he’s made of freaking rock!

“I don’t understand, Riot.” Although, right now, my body doesn’t care about understanding anything. I’m tingling all over as he runs his other hand down my shoulder to my arm, tracing little patterns.

“I can get us out of here,” he whispers. Riot’s hands trail down my back as he speaks, his breath hot against my neck. “I know this place inside and out after all these years,” he murmurs, his voice a low rumble that vibrates through me. “The guard rotations, security systems, everything.”

I shiver as his fingertips graze the curve of my spine. “How?” I breathe, struggling to focus on his words with the electric tingle of his touch making my skin prickle.

“They’ve taken me through most areas during my time here.” His lips brush my earlobe, and I stifle a gasp. “I’ve memorized it all – it was the only way to stay sane.”

My hands drift up his muscular back, feeling the rippling power beneath his damp skin. “You know a way out?”

He nods, the stubble on his chin scratching my shoulder deliciously. “We just need to get to the control room undetected during a specific window. I can disable the alarms and security systems temporarily.”

Pressing closer, my breasts graze his chest as I drink in every word. “When?”

“Every morning, the shift changes at 0300 hours.” His hand skims down to cup my ass, pulling my hips flush against his hard body. His very hard body.

Oh, my God!