Page 18 of Alpha Claimed

He looked down at her, and his cheeks flushed a bit.

"I won't laugh. I promise."

He eyed her dubiously for a moment and then shook his head.

"Tell me."

He squeezed his eyes shut and blew out a breath. "It's called parcheesi. It's simple but fun."

She looked at the shelf and found a copy. "This one?"

He opened his eyes and looked at it. "Yeah."

"Let's get it."

"That's okay."

She looked at the game and then at him. "I want to try it."

He took the game from her and put it back on the shelf. "Okay. I'll show it to you."

She looked at the game. "Then shouldn't we get it?"

He smiled. "I already have two copies at the cabin and three more at home."

She chuckled and shook her head.

"What? I want to ensure I always have a complete copy."

She nodded. "And how many of those five copies are new and unopened?"

He shrugged. "Only two."

Her wolf chuffed, and River reached up on her toes and kissed his cheek. "You are adorable."

She dropped back to her feet and stopped realizing what she'd done.

Apollo's gaze grew serious, and heat rolled off his body. He reached out and cupped her cheek.

Her stomach fluttered, and her wolf howled and begged for more.

Apollo leaned in, and with every inch closer he moved, the more conflicted she became. Her wolf and her heart craved the feel of his lips on hers. But her brain screamed that it was wrong. She would be cheating on Ares.

An inch from her face, River stepped back, bumped into the shelf, and sent a bottle hurdling downward.

Apollo grabbed the bottle before it hit the floor. His gaze stayed on hers, and then he straightened and put the bottle back on the shelf.

He licked his lips and gave her a tight smile. "They have a candy counter on the other side of the store and make their fudge from scratch. You have to try it."

Her eyes widened. "Candy. Did you say candy? And real fudge?"

He offered her his arm. She set down the teddy bear she still held and took it.

Her wolf grumbled.

Oh, shut it! Just because you are ready to throw yourself at him doesn't mean I am a tramp. Did you forget about Ares so quick?

Her wolf whined, but River didn't know who she whined for, Apollo or Ares.