Page 56 of Poet & Protector

Frowning slightly, I asked, “Should we tell anyone?”

His fingers traced the shell of my ear. “Probably. Eventually.”

Then he laughed and shook his head ruefully. “Sabine will know the minute she sees me. Sorry.”

“It’s okay,” I replied. “Ansel’s going to figure it out before I say anything.”

I bit back a groan, anticipating the barrage of questions I’d face the moment Ansel discovered what happened.

“Fair enough,” Nev said. His wry smile suggested he knew exactly what I was thinking about Ansel.

Telling my best friend was a given, but there were two other Guardians whose reactions had me more concerned.

“What about our alphas?” I asked, unable to mask the tension in my voice.

Nev nodded slowly. “I trust Ren. If it’s okay with you, I’ll tell him. Not right away, but soon.”

I loved that there was no question from him or me as to whether what was happening with us now would continue indefinitely. It also made sense that he had less hesitation about talking to his alpha. He was already out to his entire pack, while I’d only told Ansel.

“If you trust Ren, I trust him, too,” I said.

“And Calla?” Nev asked.

I thought about it. I trusted Calla, but my alpha didn’t know anything about this aspect of my life. Everything happening with Nev was so new and so unexpected.

“Just Ansel for now,” I told him.

He stiffened slightly in my arms. “Is Calla not safe?”

I caught the worry in his voice and hurried to reassure him. “She is. It’s me. I’m not ready. I’ll tell her, just not yet.”

Tension eased out of him. “Okay.”

“Nev?” I was suddenly very aware of the fact that the length of his body was pressed against mine; I felt the steady thrum of his heartbeat and the heat coming off him.

He studied my face, his eyes curious. “Yeah?”

“I don’t want to talk about our alphas anymore.”

My gaze dropped to his lips, which he didn’t fail to notice and he pulled me closer.

“Neither do I,” Nev murmured, then kissed me softly. Slowly. Then deeply. Then hungrily.

After a while, he drew back, breathless. “Mason?”

“Yeah?” I was close to panting. Delirious from the taste and feel of him.

“Can I touch you?” His voice was hoarse.

Touch me? He already was, I didn’t…

His hand moved over my lower abdomen then his fingers slipped along the waistband of my jeans, inching beneath the fabric, waiting.

Oh…oh my god…

“Yes.” I could barely get the word out, my pulse went wild and my entire being hummed with anticipation.

“Are you sure?”