Page 21 of Alpha Geek

AMELIA

Amelia felt the lust radiating off Tripp. It hit her in waves of musk and spice, her shifter nose so sensitive. She fought the urge to lean closer to his warm, masculine scent. It was a devil on her shoulder, flooding her with caution. Her leopard purred, egging on her darkest desires.

She almost gave in when he suggested a repeat of their first night. The memories of his hot, excited hands running down her body made her nipples bud into hard, aching peaks. Her leopard mewled for a chance to be in their mate’s arms again, to have him slip between her walls and claim her against the forest of snow and ice.

But he was human.

She couldn't risk pushing him in this environment. Amelia understood the dangers of climbing as well as anyone. One mistake was all it took. One misstep, one over-calculated leap, and you were gone. Swallowed whole as if you never even existed. Even shifters fell victim to nature.

We can protect him,her leopard urged, her lust palpable.

Not from a heart attack, we can’t.

Amelia knew there would be no more physical contact with her mate after that first day at acclimation camp. At least until after they were back from the summit. Tripp had difficulty during the first days. She watched him struggle. His lungs fought to get used to the frigid, low-atmospheric air that accompanied the mountains.

She watched him slip and slide on the smooth, glassy snow. Her ears were endlessly tuned into the erratic beating of his heart, listening for anything that may be more than exhaustion. Amelia saw his humanity, the fragility of it was a juxtaposition to his hard physical form.

Each day she watched him struggle, and her hands itched. She wanted to help him. To hold him and let him lean on her so she could keep him safe. However, she understood males well enough to know it would hurt his pride. Though it meant nothing to her, men's egos were fragile. She could only imagine the embarrassment he would feel. So, she fought that desire, contenting herself with being near him.

It was practically torture to watch him those first three weeks. Her stomach would lurch every time she saw him with the oxygen mask on. The hollow jaws of grief would rip the budding fantasy off forever. Amelia racked her brain for hours, trying to wrap her mind around a way this relationship could realistically work.

She didn’t know if she could live with the constant anxiety. He was human. She was a shifter. Even if he could integrate into her world, it would always be dangerous. He would be a lamb amongst predators.

Buthewashers.

Her true mate.

There has to be a reason they were perfectly crafted for each other though they appeared so different.

Amelia watched him during their acclimation climb. Years of working as a secretary had taught her many things. Most importantly, how to anticipate the needs of others. It had sharpened her people reading skills to a fine point. She listened to how Tripp spoke to her and others. She cataloged everything she could about him. How his brow would set in determination each morning. The way he never complained, no matter how tired or sick he looked. He would always look at her with a smile on his face.

Most interesting of all was the way Tripp approached the climb. He wouldn't race up with the excitement she had seen with cocky and inexperienced climbers. He was always steady and consistent. She had watched him change like winter jasmine in bloom. His breathing became more even, and his legs' long, dense muscles held a rigidness that was not present before.

Day by day, he fought his comfortability. He submitted completely to the pressure. He allowed it to chip and mold him into something new. The once clumsy gait of his walk refined into a methodical rhythm. He was ruthless in pursuit of his goals, willing to adapt to anything for his next adventure.

His strength soothed her nerves. Warming her hesitancy. She suspected he may have been more capable than she gave him credit for.

Before she knew it, they were spending every waking moment together. They would start by having all their meals together, doing warm-ups together, and they would be right beside each other during their hikes. It was as close to a dream as she had ever come.

The chill of the setting sun caused a rush of settled snow to rise and dance in the air. Amelia looked at Tripp, smiling. The crunch of the snow beneath her boots fell in sync with Tripp’s. They had spent the better part of the day hiking, and it was amazing. She could feel the heat of his skin even through his gloves. Holding his hand had easily become one of her favorite pastimes. It allowed her to feel him while keeping her distance.

Tripp stood taller, making his way back to camp with an obvious sense of accomplishment. This was the first time he had come back from a hike with no traces of exhaustion whatsoever. He was the picture of acclimation, a point he made her aware of. She wanted him.

“We on for our usual sandwich?” he asked.

"You know it. I'll grab a spot, and you get the tuna," she said.

“I still can't understand how you can pass up perfectly good salami. It must be a cat thing,” he said jokingly.

Amelia laughed, enjoying the easy way he teased her.Maybe he could tease us in other ways,came a sultry suggestion. Her leopard was tired of waiting. They did everything but sleep together. She would even spend the night in his tent or him in hers, and he would hold her. Some nights even kissing was enough to have her holding back her claws.

Anything alone with him would tempt her. Amelia had never been great with denying temptation.

She found a space and started to pull out two chairs and blankets. They used them for extra warmth when they were eating. Amelia had so much fun getting to spend all this time with Tripp that she wondered what would happen afterward.

Just the thought of being with him was much too appealing to her animal. She was a writhing nymph wanting nothing more than to be fucked hard and fast by their mate. She relentlessly pushed images of every way they could devour him. Her mouth salivated as she imagined running her tongue over every hard expanse of his flesh.

Tripp's hardening form tested her resolve. Four weeks in the harsh terrain had done a good job on his body, giving it a plasticity fortified through hardship. When they were together, her restraints loosened. His sexiness was effortless. From the way his thighs would grow taut beneath the layers of denim when they hit an incline to the perfect white smile he always dawned.

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