One Insatiable(8)

Of course, it’s what we are, but I’ve never been eaten out… Even thinking those words sends a burning flush through my breasts and shoots heat straight to my core. I came so hard. I can’t stop a shiver at the memory. He awakened every nerve ending in my body.

I almost wish he weren’t just passing through. No. I shake my head. No, Mercy, it’s for the best. Something as amazing as him would only distract me from what I really want, which is to get out of here. It’s best Koa the Panther remains in a special place in my memory as hopefully not the only mind-blowing panther sex I’ll ever have.

With a sigh, I wonder what it will be like when I’m in San Francisco. Will I meet other shifter males there? Koa said he was on his way to California. Would I possibly be able to find him once I’m there? It’s a ridiculous thought. California is vast and extends for miles, and I didn’t even ask which city he’s headed to.

Stretching out, I push my hands over my head into the pillows. I had a hideous Thursday night dinner followed by the best sex of my life. I suppose things could be worse. Sitting up, it’s time to face the day. I have to find Dylan.



* * *





Koa


Opening my eyes in the darkness, I’m cold and wishing that little lynx was still curled into my side. Fuck sleeping on the ground. Why did I let her go?

Because she said she had to get home, that’s why. What the f*ck am I thinking? For that matter, what the f*ck am I doing here? I’ve never even heard of Woodland Creek.

Thanks to Mercy… beautiful Mercy… I know it’s a tiny town close to a national forest, and it alternates between hills and farms. Again, I have to wonder what the f*ck I’m doing here. At least I’m not as sexually starved as I was eight hours ago.

I should shift again and keep going. Keep moving southwest until I reach the ocean. For whatever reason, I can’t seem to do it. Something drew me here, and I have to figure out what it was, why this place pulled me to it.

As a shifter, I know things like this are significant. Everything happens for a reason. Even f*cking beautiful Mercy last night — it all has a purpose. I sound like a freaking philosopher, and maybe it’s partly my Hawaiian heritage. All I know is I have to stay here until the place lets me go.

Shifting again, I creep toward the town. I can’t decide which is more dangerous: entering Woodland Creek in my panther form or entering as an oversized naked black man. Truth, I’m only half-black, but I know sure as hell the white people don’t give a shit about that. If I’ve got any tan in my skin, they’ll keep wary eyes on me.

I slink around the edge of the forest, doing my best to keep my dark form hidden in the shadows until I find a clothes line with what looks like jeans and a tee that will fit me. I have to move fast to steal the clothes and get out before the wife sees me or the husband leaves for work.

Luck is on my side this time, and I’m in the woods with the clothes in my mouth before anyone even notices. Ducking my head, I let the magic shimmer around my skin, changing me back into the oversized male I am.

As I step into the jeans, I can’t help remembering Mercy’s small body. She was so sexy and beautiful last night. I should look her up if I’m going to be here a while.

No, I shake that thought away. She’s upper class, white bread. Even if we have great chemistry, there is no way in hell a girl like her could even think about spending time with a rogue like me. I have to focus on figuring this place out and then get the hell on the road.

Shoes. I don’t have shoes.

I learned early shoes are pretty vital necessities. I can wear shabby clothes and be a rich man, but no rich man walks around barefoot. In a town this size, I don’t expect to find a Goodwill I can hit up for a pair of used Chucks.

Slipping into an alley, I cling to the side of a strip mall consisting of a real estate office, a twenty-four hour copy shop, and a dry cleaner when I spot my saving grace across the street: Andy’s Gym.

Quickly, I look right then left and skip across to it. People don’t go barefoot to gyms, but short of finding a shoe repair shop, I have to hope somebody wanted to get a workout today before heading to the office.

I’m lucky my feet are average size, but either way, I’ll stuff my toes into whatever I can find to appear somewhat respectable.

“Hey, bro.” A tall, chubby white guy points at me from behind the juice bar.

I pause in making my way to the front. I’m not proud of stealing shoes, but I don’t have a choice in my current situation.

“Hey,” I say, looking down and not stopping.

“You’re new in town.” He’s following right behind me, but I’m still moving quickly toward the exit.

“Just passing through,” I say, even though I know I’ve decided to stay a bit longer.

“I can see you’ve worked in a gym. We need some extra hands. You looking for a job?”

He’s saying the words so fast, I don’t even register his last sentence until my hand is on the door, and I’ve pushed outside. Work at a gym? I stop in my tracks and turn back to doughboy waiting just on the other side of the glass.

Pushing through it, I step back inside in my stolen jeans, tee, and Nikes. “What did you say?”

He looks down and suddenly seems self-conscious. “I wasn’t checking you out, dude. I just noticed you look like you know your way around a gym.”