Shaw (Alpha Geek #6) - Milly Taiden Page 0,19

to code. It’s basically what fuels my brain.”

Poppy giggled and shook her head. “You cannot like them that much.”

“I sure do. That shit is good.”

“That shit will kill you.”

He shrugged. “You’re just saying that because you’re a medical professional, and you know what the chemicals used to make them orange do to the body.”

“I mean, nothing is that naturally orange.”

“Carrots are,” he rebuffed with a sly smile.

“There aren’t any carrot sticks in your Doritos,” Poppy chided.

“I know, but the look on your face was priceless. I knew I had to say it.”

And so, it went on. They kept on chatting about literally nothing and almost everything under the sun. Hours ticked by, and Poppy was only vaguely aware of how late it was until she had to plug in her phone. They had drained the battery with their long talk.

“I guess it’s late. I should go to bed.”

Shaw’s smile was filling up her small screen. “I’m sorry if I’ve kept you up way past your bedtime. Actually, scratch that. I’m not sorry at all. I had a nice time chatting with you.”

It was with a chuckle of her own that Poppy laid her head down on her pillow, taking the phone with her. “I had a good time, too. You’re easy to talk to. I don’t think I’ve ever said that to anyone except Dakota.”

“Ah, yes. The ferocious guard. And where is she tonight?”

“She and her man have the hotel room next to mine. They insisted.”

“I’m happy you’ve got good friends while you’re going through whatever it is you’re going through.”

Poppy inhaled sharply. She was so hoping he wouldn’t ask her what had her so spooked. She wasn’t ready to tell him. Not yet. She wanted it resolved first. Men never had a particularly good reaction when they learned she was a Cain.

“Don’t worry,” Shaw said, his eyes filled with compassion. “I would never ask you to share a story you’re not ready to tell. Believe that. If you’re ever willing to share, I’ll be all ears.”

“Thanks, Shaw. I appreciate it.”

“Have a wonderful sleep and awesome dreams, Poppy.”

“Thanks, you, too.”

“Oh, I know I will. I’ll be sure to dream about our date tomorrow night.” With a final wink and smile, Shaw ended the call.

Poppy gripped the phone to her heart. His last words to her could have been a line, but they weren’t. Even through the sound waves of the videocall, Poppy had felt just how much he meant them.

She fell asleep quickly, and for the first time in a long time, she didn’t have nightmares.

She dreamed of Shaw.

Chapter Ten

Shaw

Shaw was sitting in his car with his eyes glued to the clock on the dashboard. He was a bit early for his dinner date with Poppy. There was so much nervous and anxious energy coursing through his system, he was sure he weighed about thirty pounds more in sheer excitement.

That was a thing, right?

He had offered to pick her up at her hotel, like the good gentleman he had been raised to be. Poppy had a bodyguard, and she was concerned for her safety. That was why he hadn’t been overly surprised when Poppy had declined his ride and told him she would meet him at the restaurant. It made sense.

There would be plenty of time to be gallant and chivalrous later. If Shaw had his way, this would not be their last date.

Needing to move to release some of the pent-up energy, Shaw went into the restaurant to wait for Poppy. He was doing no one any favors by making his entire car quake with his shaking legs.

Though he had called ahead to make reservations, he asked the maître d’ to seat them at a secluded booth at the back of the restaurant. Not only was it intensely more romantic being dimly lit, but it also assured that no one would be able to sneak up on them. That had to be a worry Poppy had. He hadn’t pried into her issues, but he was hoping that she would trust him enough to let him into her troubles. Eventually. He was feeling particularly protective of her.

He was just settling into the booth, when all of the air was sucked out of the room. Shaw didn’t have to look around to know what had happened. It was Poppy.

Just being in her vicinity made his skin tingle and pull. Like every inch of him was crying out for her. He stood by their table as she made her way to him.