MICK AND TRINA'S DANCE CONTINUES

Mick slid his hand along Trina’s waist.  Her hand rested lightly on his shoulder.  He moved closer to her until they were approximately three feet apart.  She smiled, shaking her head.

“What’s funny?” Mick asked, looking down.  He placed his foot between Trina’s.  His size ten and half shoe stuck out between her smaller ones.  

“Us.  This reminds me of the dancing lessons I took in junior high school.  Most of the guys could shake their bootie and move around the dance floor like their pants were on fire.”  Trina glanced down.

Mick snorted.  “Seems that started the phase of trying to teach us etiquette and some form of courting.”

Trina’s laughter warmed his cheek.  He winked and moved tighter to her.  “Now shall we practice those steps and moves our parents spent money on?”

Trina arched her neck, looking up into Mick’s eyes.  They reminded her of the blue sky over the lake during summer.  The time of year, she could laugh and run free all over the campgrounds her parents owned.  Summer camp allowed her and her siblings time to let their animal counterpart out.  No harried admonishments either about hiding or keeping her furry side under tight control.

She licked her lips and nodded.  “Sure.  I can waltz; do a mean two-step, the occasional foxtrot, and a slow sultry dance that permits conversation.  You have a preference?”

“Slow dance and conversation.  Sultry is a little much for the kids.” Nick winked, stepping back wards as the music began.

“Yes, we chaperones need to keep an eye on the youngsters.”  She chuckled moving in sync with Mick as he guided her out across the dance floor toward the middle of the gym.

“Ten questions each?  A little getting acquainted info?”  Mick swirled her in a circle creating more space between them.  

“Okay.  You pulling away?”  Trina looked down and back up meeting Mick’s gaze. 

“No, just allowing some room so we can talk easier. “  Mick grinned.  “First question.  Favorite color.”

“Mauve.  Same for you.”

“Turquoise. Reminds me of the ocean.”  Nick nodded. Vernon and Miss Ellie danced by them.  

“Nice song choice, Mick.”  Vernon twirled Miss Ellie, pulled her back into his arms and titled her back over one arm.  “Allows a little swing and sway.”

Before Mick could answer, Vernon and Miss Ellie danced away.  Mick glanced back at her.  He stopped and started swaying back and forth in place.  “Vernon’s right.”

Trina burst out laughing.  “What about the other songs?”

“Fifties music and a few early sixties tunes.  The rest are ones the kids requested.  I don’t know if there’s much to dance to in their choices.”  Mick started moving them around the dance floor again.  “Why mauve?”

“The color of my grandma’s kitchen.  She loved to cook and bake.  That was the one place all ten grandkids could gather and all have grandma at once.”  Trina shook her head as Mick opened his mouth again.  “You’ve asked two questions.  My turn.”

Mick nodded.  “Go ahead.”

“Where’d you grow up?”  Trina closed some of the space between them as another song started.

“All over.  My dad joined the military right out of high school.  He wanted to see how the other half lived.  Human half.”  Mick paused near the bleachers as the music picked up beat.  “Continue dancing?”

“Please. Makes our conversation less conspicuous.”  Trina glanced over her shoulder.  “Second question.  Why turquoise?”

“San Diego, California. The one place we stayed more than two years.  Mom decided that moving wasn’t a good idea with changing schools constantly.”

“A place you call home?”  Trina started nodding her head in time to the music.  “Almost a latin rhythm to it.”

“Yes.  Maybe we can two-step our way across the gym. And that was your third question.”  Mick picked up pace and changed steps to match the beat of the music.

“So answer it.  Then your turn.” 

“It’s a place where I found me.  My parents bought a house and Mom put down roots.  All five of us graduated from high school and college there.”  Mick leaned closer to her.  “My third question is why Talbot’s Peak?’”

Trina swallowed hard.  She’d kept so much of her past hidden.  The pain and hurt dulled after a while.  Could she talk about leaving home and knowing she couldn’t go back?  The unofficial ‘get out’ her father ordered when he found out she wasn’t his daughter stung for a long time.  Many didn’t take her mixed heritage well.  Would Mick? 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

HAPPY WEEKEND GANG!

Sorry I missed last week.  Day job making departmental changes which took more concentration than anticipated.  Pris and I got home last Friday night overly tired.  Bed and sleep called.  

Looks like Mick and Trina are slowly getting acquainted.   Why is Trina scared?  What does she fear?  Stay tuned.  Pris hasn't said what's next for our couple.  I'm looking forward to finding out.

Spring arrives and with a dreaded four letter word.  SNOW!  One last huzzah I guess from winter as the passing of the seasonal crown moves on to the next.  Keep a few good books handy to read and share with your loves and spice.  I'm looking forward to sharing a few with mine.

Until next week,

Solara

A NEW TALBOT'S PEAK ROMANCE

Trina looked over the group of men standing close to her.  Two male wolves, three coyotes, and one snow leopard made up the group.  None of them particularly drew her attraction or thoughts.  Yet, dancing with one or two of them might get conversation flowing.  After all, chaperoning a high school dance didn’t require more than keeping the kids out of dark corners.  Making small talk with the other parents present and enjoying the music.  Miss Elly and Vernon were out on the dance floor cutting their path across the gym.  More fifties music blared out of the speakers.  Even Gill and Chloe tried their hand at some of the intricate dance steps the music teacher had shown everyone before the music started.

She wiped her hands down her heavily starched poodle skirt.  Missy Elly’s kindness included loaning her clothes in theme with the music.  Her teased and sprayed hair bounced each time she nodded her head in time with the music.  A few feet away one of the teachers named Mick stood wearing a black leather biker’s jacket, tight ass-incasing jeans, and a dark red t-shirt with the outline of wolf on it.  His slicked back hair refused to adhere to the gel.  Two lone curls close to the top of his forehead gave him an air of mystique.  An edge that caused her breath to catch and set off warmth the reached deep into her.  Sex for the sake of physical release stymied her.  Her chemistry required more.  An attraction and mutual interest revved her hormones.  If she wanted to get off—she snickered at her use of male thoughts and terms---her battery-operated boyfriend worked fine thank you.  No need for making small talk and acting nice when all she wanted and needed was a hard fast orgasm.  One that rocked her to sleep or into a blissed out state that lasted more than someone poking her saying ‘my turn now.’

Mick looked up from the table, counted the number of couples on the dance floor, and smiled.  At least four of his students were out there trying the steps he showed them earlier.  Many were standing in segregated groups of boys and girls.  Their parents were doing much the same.  When had kids lost the art of mingling and mixing with the opposite sex?  This was Talbot’s Peak.  Sex and what it entailed wasn’t shunned or stuffed in the closet.  No, every kid new the basics by age eight.  After all short gestations could manifest themselves quite easily.  Ah, making sure his students understood the birds and bees aspect of life wasn’t his teaching area.  Music and art took more than a few hour-long sessions per week to understand and enjoy.  Good thing Gill and the town council got the need for after school activities like these.  

He glanced over his shoulder back to where the redhead stood.  Her petiteness intrigued him.  She also ignited a protectiveness he was sure she didn’t require.  After all, she was part wolf and coyote, two animals that could take care of themselves.  Still making her acquaintance and enjoying a few dances didn’t entail getting involved.  Friendship added to life.  Why not add a new friend to his group?  A female one too.  Mick tossed his empty cup in the trash receptacle near him and turned.  The next song was a slow hold your partner close one.  Easy to dance too and long enough to learn a few things about each other.  Yes, a good choice.  He started toward Trina.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Happy Weekend Gang!

Oooh looks like a new romance is starting up in the Peak!!  Wonder where this will go.  Let's see what my muse, Pris, comes up with as the weeks progress.  Maybe some of my blog mates will chime in with their takes on the fall out from Cupid's visit to Talbot's Peak last weekend.

Remember to keep a few books handy to share with your loves and spice.  I'm busy penning a few myself.  Keep warm as winter takes it last runs and spring attempts to take hold.

Until next weekend,

Solara

Not Another Battle?!

Gill looked up at the night sky.  Chloe sat next to him leaning back on her hands gazing upwards as well.

“Great display Dante’s crew came up with.  Lots of color, spark, and boom.”  A large boom drowned out Gill’s next words.

“It certainly is bigger than last year’s.” Chloe hugged her knees tight to her.  “You’ve been overly quiet since your meeting with Dante.”

“There’s a lot going on I can’t talk about.” Gill scooted closer to Chloe.  Keeping his family safe topped his priority list.  Keeping the Peak safe ranked there beside it.  There had to be a way to keep the state from infiltrating much less claiming lands for fracking.  Two more state agents appeared at his office Monday asking about accommodations and office space to lease.  And a full moon two weeks away.  Mixed nuts above, did they have enough time?  Time to get their representatives in place and deeply imbedded to get these number crunchers and picture snappers out from under everyone’s feet.  

“I know love,” Chloe offered, leaning against him.  “Miss Elly said sometimes you have to trust that what you don’t know is better than knowing.”

“Smart woman.  Dante said as much to me.  Though there are things you and I are going to know because we have to.”  Gill pulled Chloe tighter to him.  Had the coverts slipped through the ranks deeper than any of them knew?

Out in the darkness of the trees, an open area ringed by oaks and maples hundreds of years old light up as another roman candle shot into the sky.  Next to him, Kitty jumped with each boom though she never backed away as bursts of color followed.  Dante inhaled, noting each bit of subtle changes in the odors in the air.  More humans attended the fireworks display than prior years.  Of course, the number of them claiming the Peak as home increased too.  Many voiced their concerns at the hastily called town council meeting, he and Vernon used to get a feeling of their opinions on the state bullshit.  Many felt the same way most of the non-human citizens did.  This was their home and they weren’t buying what the state was selling.  Had his teams succeeded? 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Happy Weekend Gang!

Looks like the battle for the Peak rises again.  What will Dante and his crew come up with?  How deep does Gill need to burrow to keep his family and town safe?  What other preparations are happening?

Hope your Fourth is safe and sane.  Weather continues to kick my allergies and make my nose twitch.  It is better than inches of snow.  

I'm knee deep into a novella I hope to have off to a new publisher next week.  Then waiting starts.  As soon as I know more, I'll be sure to share.

Remember to share a few good books with your spice and loves.  I know I'm enjoying mine!

Until Next Week,

Solara

Wolf Dawg, Bankster Bounty Hunter

Tuesday howls and yowls, shapeshifter lovers.

With the high temps once again taking over my tame prairie this week, I couldn't resist another flash scene set inside the Heavenly Chocolate & Ice Creamery, the new ice cream parlor in Talbot's Peak, Montana.

Alas, the scene refused to end, so I plan to continue it next week.
~~~~~~

Wolf Dawg, Bankster Bounty Hunter

On a mission, two missions in fact, Dawg sauntered inside The Peak's new ice cream parlor. The heels of his biker boots rang as he strode over the real tile floor, and the silver chains jangled similar to spurs. Yep, music to his renegade wolf ears. Not that he wore them when on the hunt in his human form.

Bravado worked with some of his white-collar criminal prey. But stealth was often the name of the capture-game.

In this day of cross, double cross, and triple cross, among the different factions of the bankster gangsters, so far Dawg had managed to deliver the corporate scat with the highest bounties on their well-groomed heads to the mysterious group known as the White Hats. With his rewards paid in gold and silver coin, he'd built a fancy Old West Saloon inside one wing of Dante's Interspecies Pleasure Club.

Dawg added more swagger to his walk, and gave the owner, Kalindi, a wink when she glanced up from making a banana split. Howls and dang, was he ever glad she had customers, most of them the local teenagers.

"Got the goods ready to go, pretty angel?"

"Ready, and waiting, my pickup man," she sang. With an angelic but impish smile, Kalindi beckoned him behind the counter.

Dawg had learned long ago to keep his big paws off another man's woman, but he could never resist charming any female. Their sweetness was just too dang impossible for him and his nose to ignore.

Course, now his nostrils quivered with the scent of her god lover. Scuttlebutt had it Kalindi, who was half goddess, had summoned a rain god. As she'd told Kitty, she'd been concerned about Talbot's Peak, and everyone knew about her good-at-heart nature.

Howls to the Great Wolf Spirit, no doubt, they'd sure needed the rains. Gypsy Red Wolf had been holding rain dances every single day at her favorite forest clearing. Along with a huge ole pack of men, Dawg had licked his chops in enjoyment, watching the uninhibited cavorting of the women. Then he'd joined in.

"Is it you I get to thank for the soakin' in rains we've had lately?" Dawg flashed a smile as he rounded the corner of the counter.

Kalindi flushed red as the cherries in the bowl beside her. She gave him a quick glance, then went back to finishing off the banana split with whipped cream. "I'm just glad the drought is over. Can I fix you something, pickup man?"

"Sure can, sweet angel. Once I get the goods loaded, I'll be ready for one of your hot fudge sundaes."

"Got one with your name on it. Right over here." Kalindi waved toward the freezer section where four sealed, five-gallon buckets of the best ice cream ever, waited to be transported.

Dawg already planned to meet with a whistleblower on the run. His White Hat contact insisted on the ice cream parlor, despite Dawg's objection for the sake of any innocents who might inadvertently get in the way.

He'd been on the verge of leaving his Old West Saloon for Talbot's Peak, when the word had gone out that Dante needed a volunteer for a quick run to the Heavenly Chocolate & Ice Creamery. Now here he was loading the buckets into one of the Club's freezer trucks.

Even with the last minute arrangements, Dawg made certain to arrive extra early. With the ice cream secured, he swung toward the parlor's entrance. His strides rapidly ate up the short distance, and as he held the door open for a family of four, his inner wolf ruff stood on end.

The whistleblower, a woman, was here. Once he entered, Dawg causally moved toward the counter. Acting as if a hot fudge sundae was the only thing on his mind, he propped up a boot, and leaned on his elbow.

Desperation had its own odor. A cat shapeshifter also possessed a unique fragrance, the one now seriously tingling the inside of his nose. The White Hat hadn't divulged that little tidbit of info. Could be, he hadn't known the whistleblower was a shifter. Then again...

From the corner of his eye, Dawg easily spotted the woman. He nearly barked a laugh at her prim uptight appearance, complete with a bun and horn rim glasses. She wore 'I'm vacationing' attire, and devoured a banana split like no other woman he'd ever witnessed.

Fascinated, Dawg angled his body so he could watch her, while still having a direct view of the door. One of those huge flowery tourist bags that could hold everything under the sun leaned against her chair.

"It's her second one," Kalindi whispered close to his ear as she placed his hot fudge sundae on the counter.

"When you get time, make her another banana split on me. Would you, angel girl?"

"You got it, wolf man. Do you want me to serve it to her or do you want to do the honors?"

"Take your time, Kalindi. Bring it to the table whenever you're ready." Dawg picked up his hot fudge sundae. "Time to make my move."

The woman cat shifter, who savored the last bite of whipped cream, then licked her lips feline-style, sat near the back at the table farthest from anyone else. With the gaze of a huntress she eyed his slow approach.

While not petite, she was in no way large, and possessed a daintiness that appealed to Dawg. What he could see of her shapely curves, despite the shapeless clothing she wore, put his cock on alert status.

Howls, given her state of desperation, the last thing she needed was a male befuddled and ruled by lust. Dawg halted, and offered a friendly grin. "Pardon me, miss, you remind me of my cousin, Louisa. She's down Texas way. Lives in Houston."

Tentatively, she offered a small smile, one that froze soon after it formed. Yet, Dawg observed her recognition of the code words he'd used. All while he stared at the unique but beautiful color of her eyes, a champagne gold.

Her features told him the rest of the story, one that threw him for a loop well past the moon. She was Martian. That is, either from Mars, or her ancestors had been Martian. Memories tumbled over themselves in a race that caused him to blink and become rigid for an instant.

Dawg suppressed the total recall of long ago.

"My name is Silkari. I'm afraid I don't know your cousin. If you'd like to join me..." She left the rest unsaid.

Dawg didn't wait for an engraved invitation. He seated himself, and set the drippy hot fudge sundae on the table.

"Are you going to rescue me?" she mouthed.

Gathering his wits, no easy task, Dawg raised a brow. "What am I rescuing you from? Don't worry," he added, "no spy devices are allowed in here. Or in Talbot's Peak."

Skepticism shone in her eyes. Still, she took in a large breath, and released it. He watched her shoulders un-tense.

"Silkari, what a beautiful name." Dawg spoke as she prepared to answer him.

"I...I...my sister was abducted by a white slavery ring. We found her in time, but...well, I decided to get the dirt on the corporation responsible. Because no one believed us -- that it was one of the top corporations...and..." Tears shimmered in her eyes, and Silkari lowered her gaze.

"I understand. Did they know she was a shapeshifter?"

"No, not at first. When they found out, they were going to sell her to an underground lab...oh, god, it was horrible." Silkari still didn't look at him. "Long story short, I posed as a secretary, assistant, whatever, long enough to get all this." She motioned to her bag. "I'd trained as an actress, and thought...but they found out. I'd already gotten most of the dirt, the proof, and more. So, so," she choked a bit, "I ran."

Dawg picked up his spoon, and took a large bite of his sundae -- as if they were two people getting to know each other. Two bad guys had entered. Both of them bounty hunters he knew, and they didn't own hearts of gold. Money was their god.

TO BE CONTINUED...
~~~~~~

Wishing you shapeshifting love on the wild side...

Savanna

Savanna Kougar ~ Run on the Wild Side of Romance ~

Not the Marian Kind

The Talbot’s Peak Library doesn’t see much action. Between cable TV, video games and the Internet, who has time for books? They’re ancient and outmoded and no self-respecting (and peer-aware) kid would be caught dead with an actual one in their book bag. The library’s for old geezers looking for a warm place out of the wind, and cash-poor students with laptops looking for free Internet.

People figure the same holds true for the Talbot’s Peak librarian. Evie’s a sweet girl, but, well, she’s a librarian, and you know what that means. Shut up all the time in a drafty old building with musty books for company, and liking it that way. She dresses the part, in demure skirts and primly-buttoned blouses and reading glasses on a chain around her neck, so all the rumors must be true. It’s a pity, because she’s still young enough to catch herself a man if she’d only make the effort. Mutters and headshakes accompany the compassionate looks passers-by give the building.

Evie’s scanning returned DVDs into the system when she hears the front door open. It’s early afternoon, the traditional dead time when she’s able to catch up on her cataloging. A pack of oldsters has taken over the reading room, as they do most days after lunch. They’ll hog the chairs and the newspapers and argue about everything from politics to Medicare, and drive everybody away until around three, when school kids allegedly bent on research will pop in to meet with their friends and drive the old men out in turn. There’s one guy using the computers, a nervous sort hunched in his chair with his nose only inches from the screen. Evie thinks he might be a ferret, and figures he’s surfing for porn. There are no kids around, so for the time being she’ll let him get away with it.

The man heading for the circulation desk makes her sit up and set her glasses aside. Grayson Chase knows how to fill out an EMT uniform quite nicely. People say he’s not a full wolf shifter, because of the one blue eye. Evie knows better. He’s got the distinctive alpha walk, that unique gait that makes him look like he’s stalking prey with every intention of catching it. She props her elbow on the counter and her chin in her hand and watches every step of that sexy walk carry him up to the desk.

“Anything I can help you with?” she asks in a husky voice.

“I’m looking for a book,” he says, in that wolfy growl that can curl a girl’s toes right on back to her heels. “I’m not sure of the title. I think it’s under History.”

“Of course, sir. If you’ll follow me?”

She feels his hot breath on the nape of her neck as they pass the computer terminals. The ferret never looks up. Evie navigates the shelves with a sure step and unerring sense of direction. Their destination puts them within earshot of the oldsters, an easy trick as the men tend to shout. “That’s a crock of scat, you old goat.”

“Who are you calling a goat, dogbreath?”

“If the beard fits, Billy.”

Under cover of their argument Evie murmurs, “Can you recall the subject matter? That would help narrow it down.”

He’s right beside her, nuzzling her neck. She leans into him. He always smells delicious. A ragged little growl builds in her throat.

“A history of illicit lovers,” he whispers, and licks her cheek.

That’s all she needs. Her hand has his fly down before he finishes the sentence. His hand hikes her skirt up her thigh. They sink to the carpet in tandem, shielded from view by the towering shelves. As always, part of Evie hopes someone will happen by. The constant threat of discovery adds zest to the act.

She picked this job deliberately when she came to Talbot’s Peak. She wanted to disappear. Libraries are nice and anonymous. Play up to people’s expectations, dress and act the part, and it’s easy to become invisible. Aware of everyone and everything, while passing under all the various radars. Coyotes are tricky that way.

Of course Chase found her again. It wasn’t the first time he’d lived up to his name. Was she secretly happy he’d tracked her down? Does the Mayor eat bananas?

“Hey. Hold up a second, Billy. You hear something?”

“That’s just the pipes. When are they gonna turn up the heat? It’s always so dang cold in here.”

Evie’s not cold. She’s deliciously warm, here on the floor in Chase’s arms. Chase removes the hand he used to muffle her cries and blocks her mouth with a kiss instead. The hand came into play after the lunch room incident, when people outside heard her howls. Now everyone thinks the library’s haunted. Hey, coyotes sing when they’re happy. Look it up.

“I’m afraid we don’t have that book here, sir,” she says when he finally releases her mouth. “I’ll have to request it from another branch.”

“How long will that take?”

“A couple of days. Come back Thursday.”

He helps her up. They tug each other’s clothing back into place and walk hand in hand to the circulation desk. The oblivious ferret hasn’t budged.

“I may need another book,” he tells her once she’s back behind the desk. “One on dog training. I’ve got this bitch that insists on yapping at the most inopportune times.”

“That’s easy to correct.” Evie reaches into a drawer and pulls out a bondage magazine. “Page 67. Muzzles work wonders. You can also roll this up and swat her with it.”

“I’ll give it a try.” He rolls up the magazine and leans across the desk to whack her lightly on the fanny. “Harder than that,” she growls. “Make it worth her while.”

“Not today. Maybe Thursday.” The ferret’s not looking, so he swoops in and plunges his tongue in her mouth. Every time’s still as exciting as the first. She toys with the idea of running again, just so he can pursue her.

Or maybe she’ll just stay put this time. Do a little chasing of her own.

He flicks her a lazy salute and a grin and strolls out of the library. Evie looses a contended sigh and returns to her computer cataloguing.

People say a lot of negative things about libraries and librarians. They should remember an even older saying: Never judge a book by its cover.