Shaw (Alpha Geek #6) - Milly Taiden Page 0,42

the pit of his stomach, repeating to himself that he shouldn’t howl.

What he wanted was to enjoy his time with Poppy. They had reached an understanding. She would forgive him enough to teach him the shifter ways, and in return, he would do whatever he could to make up for what he had done.

He had seriously fucked it up. He could only hope that they could get back what they had almost had.

He needed to think of something else, so he reached for the paper bag he had brought outside and pulled out a bag of marshmallows, a box of graham crackers, and a few chocolate bars. He had gone for the good stuff, too. It would melt smooth and be ultra-sweet.

“Still want to make those s’mores?” Poppy was smiling brightly, so much so he could have mistaken her for a star in the night sky.

“I do. And I even got a stick.” He produced a long, thin piece of wood that he had spotted and set aside earlier.

“You’re a genius man.”

Poppy took the stick and ripped into the bag and gently placed a marshmallow on the end. “Do you like yours golden brown or just soft enough to melt chocolate?”

“Surprise me,” he answered.

He watched intently as Poppy skewered a fluffy, white marshmallow onto the stick and placed it in the fire. She really was the loveliest woman he had ever seen. His tiger purred his appreciation.

“I haven’t had these in a very long time. I think I was at camp the last time.” She took a bite and closed her eyes. “Shit, this is good. You always think that you’re looking back at snacks like this with nostalgic eyes. That it can’t possibly be as good. It is.” She offered the rest of the snack to him.

Shaw knew that he should reach out and take it. But that’s not what he did. He dipped down and took the food from the tips of her fingers. His tongue brushed against her digits, and he was rewarded by the lovely sound of her gasp. Her eyes went dark and wide with interest. The forest air was mixed in with her desire. There was no hiding the way she felt about him.

Poppy wanted him. Or at the very least, her body did.

But Shaw wasn’t going to make a move until he knew her mind, her heart wanted him as much as her body did.

“Do you want me to make you another?” Her voice was raspy. She had definitely been impacted by his movement.

Shaw couldn’t even regret it. Just the taste of her fingers had made him rock hard. He wanted her. His animal was pleading with him to take her back to the cabin. He wanted nothing more than to spread her legs wide open and see for himself what she tasted like. What it felt like when she came all over his cock.

“Shaw.” There was a soft warning in her voice. “You know I’m a shifter. I can all but hear what you’re thinking.”

He blushed furiously and stared into the fire. Fuck. He had been caught having all kinds of dirty ideas about her.

“I forget that you have super senses.”

“You’ll get used to it,” she said, also keeping her eyes on the dancing flames.

“I don’t think I’ll ever get used to how you make me feel.” The honest words stumbled out of his mouth before he could think better of it.

“Shaw,” she whispered.

“No, I know. You don’t fully trust me after all of the shit that I’ve done. And I get it. I really do. But this mate thing, Poppy. It’s so strong. If I’m going to be honest with you, then I’ll say this. I felt a connection, bone-deep, soul-deep, way before I was turned into a shifter. The second I saw you in that office, I knew you were special. I wanted to get to know you. I didn’t understand why. Not then. But now I do. I was a mere mortal, and I could still feel my heart pulling me to yours. I’ll work to regain your trust, Poppy. I will do anything to make this happen between us.” It was a promise he was making her, but he didn’t know if Poppy understood the profound way he felt it.

“I want to trust you, Shaw. I think I sort of do, a bit. I don’t think I could have followed just any man to a secluded cabin in the woods, shifter or not.”

“Poppy, I want to kiss you.