Shaw (Alpha Geek #6) - Milly Taiden Page 0,23

shook his hand.

“Good. Now that means we can enjoy dessert and keep on having a good date. Because I was having a really good time with you. And I would definitely like to spend more time with you.”

Shaw wasn’t entirely sure how he could be so confident. This was definitely out of his comfort zone. The only explanation that made sense in his head was that he really liked Poppy. He felt a deep connection to her, and he wasn’t about to let her family and his shitty decisions get between them.

“I am having a good time with you,” Poppy said. Her smile was small and shy. “I mean, I do try so hard to make up for my last name.”

“Don’t,” he stopped her, squeezing her fingers. “You’re not a Cain, and I’m not a hacker. We’re just two people having dinner. Chatting and getting to know each other. That’s it.”

She nodded, and they quietly agreed to stay clear of any topic of conversation that could lead them to talk about her family or his job. It should have made things difficult, but it didn’t.

After a stunted interlude, they fell back into easy conversation. The teasing, flirtatious undertone of their bond was back. Shaw could have high-fived the air with sheer joy, but he refrained.

Once they had shared a delectable lava cake, and Shaw had paid for dinner, there was a bit of awkward silence. He didn’t want the night to end. It was still fairly early, and he would have given anything to keep hanging out with her. He just didn’t know how to say the damn words. How did other guys do this? Was it always this difficult, or was it only made that much harder because of just how much into Poppy he was?

“Well, I would invite you back to my place, but I can’t. I’m staying at a hotel until the stuff with my family blows over.”

A hotel? That made parts of his anatomy perk up. Hotels had nice big beds for all kinds of dirty deeds.

“I would never be so presumptuous as to think you would invite me over. Though I am bummed that our date has to end.”

“It doesn’t. You could come to hang out in my room, but no funny business.” She narrowed her eyes at him, but it was in a silly way, judging by the upturned corner of her mouth.

Shaw put up his hands in the Boy Scout salute. “No funny business. I swear, I’ll keep my hands to myself.”

“Oh, thank God,” Dakota said as she walked over to the table. The shifter had clearly been sensing the end of the date and had begun to eavesdrop. “This fancy food was so not what I wanted. I am going to stop at a fast-food burger joint to get myself some real food. This mama needs some fries. I’ll meet you back at the hotel.” Dakota winked at them. “Play nice, kids,” she teased as she walked away.

“She’s fun,” Shaw said.

Poppy shook her head, watching her friend leave. “She’s a character, all right. But she’s my oldest friend, and I love her.”

Shaw took Poppy’s hand in his. It was a bold move to hold her hand, but she didn’t recoil. In fact, he was stoked when her body angled toward his as he walked them to his car. He opened the passenger door for her and rushed to his side. As they drove to the hotel, Poppy regaled him with all kinds of tales from her friendship with Dakota. It was a cool insight into Poppy’s life.

He focused on the road, coming to a secure stop at a red light. He was surprised to spot three large men getting out of the red pickup truck behind them. It took Shaw a few seconds too long to recognize the men.

The terrible trio.

Poppy squeaked her shock when her car door was opened, and she was unceremoniously dragged out. Shaw didn’t even think. He reacted. He bolted from the car, barely caring that Carl was right there with Carson flanking him. He wrapped his arm around Poppy’s waist, trying to place her behind him. Poppy struggled against him.

“This is my fight,” she argued.

“No,” he said through gritted teeth. “I haven’t been completely honest with you about who I am.”

The color drained from Poppy’s face, but there was no time to elaborate.

“Well, well. Look what we have here. Poppy the escapee.” Curtis took one step toward them, and Poppy met him head-on.

“Back off, Curtis. For real.