foot at him and thumping him in the chest with her fist. Then she’d done something that almost made her ashamed of herself. Almost, except for the fact it had felt so good.
She’d rubbed against his chest, until he wrapped his arms around her.
“This is important, Tah. I might be able to contact someone who can help us. I can’t do that and get all the supplies. I need you to help me. I need you. Please, Tah. For me. Please.”
He’d surprised her with a sound suspiciously like a purr before kissing her fiercely and agreeing, only after she’d agreed to his order to keep her pert little ass inside until he got back. God save her if the animal made the man even more dominant than he was.
Then he’d smirked and said he liked the idea of picking out her panties for her anyway. And he’d flat out laughed when she’d demanded he get her a new sweatshirt. She was almost afraid of what he would choose for her. But she’d just have to deal with it. She’d wear anything at this point, especially since the pair she’d rinsed out were still missing.
It had been hard enough to get to a computer with no identification on her. She’d resorted to tears and started blubbering incoherently about getting robbed while here on vacation and needing to access her email, so she could contact a friend to cancel everything. Thankfully, the guy behind the counter had been so busy staring at her boobs then freaking out over her tears that he’d set her up at a computer station immediately.
She’d never used her boobs in such a way before, and it made her feel dirty. But she told herself whatever it took. Tah was all that mattered, getting him the help he needed. She stayed away from her personal email accounts, not knowing how far Harlan would go to try and find them, or if he even was trying to find them. She still didn’t understand what his agenda had been. Since when had Harlan cared about anything she’d spoken of as a child? And why would he follow her to Africa?
She might never know, and that was just something she’d have to accept. She sent a message to Professor Mueller from yet another of the therianthropy forums they were both registered at. She’d already been at this for two hours with no luck, but she refused to give up.
This site was one of the largest available, and she knew he frequented it. Her last name would show when she sent a message, and she hoped the Professor was on to answer. She’d never suspected when they first met just how much of a mentor he would turn out to be. Not only was he an anthropologist, but he and his daughter Jess were big into the lores and myths of cultures. And Jess was as into therianthropy as Abby was. They’d spent hours talking about shapeshifting, while Abby and Professor Mueller had researched the genealogy that had led her to Tah. If anyone could help her now, it would be them.
She felt her heart beat faster when he messaged her back instantly.
Mueller: Call me 7778123265895247
Lane: No access to phone yet
Mueller: Tonight?
Lane: Yes
Mueller: …did you find what you were looking for
Lane: …yes…
Mueller: eyes are watching. not safe to say more here. tonight?
Lane: …yes…
She ended their contact before he could ask anything else. She might be getting as paranoid as he was, but better safe than sorry. Plus, it had taken too much of her time before she’d found him. Tah would be here any minute. She’d tell the Professor everything on the phone later. She had his number written down, easily deciphering the code he’d used to send it to her. She just hoped Tah remembered to pick up a phone.
“Holy shit.”
She looked up as the woman sitting at the end of the row of computers spoke out loud. Abby wasn’t surprised to see Tah standing there. She watched him inhale, saw the twitch of his nose as if something distasteful hit him before his searching eyes found her. One corner of his mouth lifted as he curved his finger and motioned her toward him.
They
Aiden James, Patrick Burdine
Olsen J. Nelson
Thomas M. Reid
Jenni James
Carolyn Faulkner
David Stuckler Sanjay Basu
Anne Mather
Miranda Kenneally
Kate Sherwood
Ben H. Winters