Shaw (Alpha Geek #6) - Milly Taiden Page 0,58

the wine,” he said with an edge of teasing. “We can keep on drinking until the sun comes up. I can continue telling you all of the ways these remind me of you.”

“That was the sweetest thing ever, Shaw. But now I want to go home and celebrate alone with you.”

He wouldn’t be told twice.

Shaw took her hand in his, and they hastened out the vineyard and drove to his apartment. It wasn’t exactly how he had planned for the night to go, but he knew it would be good regardless.

Life was always good now that he had Poppy by his side.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Poppy

Poppy knew there was no way she was drunk. With her shifter constitution, it was damn well impossible to get even the slightest bit tipsy. But she felt absolutely inebriated.

It had nothing to do with the small amounts of wine she had had during the tasting, and everything to do with the man who was holding her hand in his as he opened the door to his apartment.

“Thank you for tonight,” she said happily as she turned the lights on. The moon was only just beginning to rise high up in the night sky, and it was still early. “I can’t believe you did that.”

“It was fun. I’m glad you liked it.”

“Loved it,” she corrected, closing her arms around Shaw’s neck. He was much taller than her, so she had to crane her head to be able to look at him. She felt small and delicate but very powerful in his embrace. “You’re a sweet man, Shaw Eagan. That was definitely the most thoughtful thing anyone has ever done for me. I appreciated every single moment of it.”

“And we’re not done,” he whispered before kissing her mouth softly. “I’ve got more plans for us tonight.”

“Oh?” She pretended not to know what he could possibly be talking about, but his intent was evident in his eyes.

Not to mention his thickening erection that was pressing deliciously into her side.

Poppy tightened her hold on him, arching up to kiss him again. She started stepping backwards, leading Shaw toward the bedroom. He let her guide him though she knew that no matter what happened, he would always be there to make sure she didn’t hurt herself. He would always be there to catch her if she fell.

The trust they had for each other had been broken, but they had knitted it back together with stronger ties and bonds. The kinds that only mated shifters could understand. Soon, their souls and hearts would be bound together forever, and that trust, that profound link, would only be strengthened.

They had survived a lot on their own and together. Life had been bitter and hard, but it was about to get so much sweeter, like a ripe fruit, ready to be savored. Like wine. Poppy understood why Shaw had chosen that particular activity to make a sweeping declaration of love.

She closed her arms around his neck and brought his lips down to hers. Their lips met in pure love, in perfect abandon. Shaw’s hands were twisted up in her hair as he angled her head to get better access to her mouth. He kissed his way across to her cheek, the length of her jaw, the length of her neck, until he was trailing his lips down the front of her low-cut dress.

They ripped at each other’s clothing, leaving a trail of dress, pants, and shirt all the way to the bedroom. Shaw helped Poppy onto the bed, letting his fingers caress every inch of her as he did. Her skin was heated by the soft caresses, and she reached out to run her hands along the corded muscles of his arms. His wild curls were falling into his eyes, giving him the look of an untamed beast.

The night was heavy with meaning, and they both knew where this was heading.

“Our whole lives ahead of us. Together. What do you say, love?” Shaw trailed kisses down her body, then back up. It was slow and easy. It was blissful torture. “Do you want to be my mate forever, my sweet Poppy?”

“I’ve always been yours, Shaw. From the first time I saw you standing in the office, I knew I had to be yours. That you had to be mine. Take me.”

“I won’t be told twice. But I am going to take my time with this moment, Poppy. I want to remember this forever. I want to be able to play this back in my head when