The Lion’s Cross Species Baby

Chapter 3

Annie frowned. What the hell was that? she thought. She was following Cooper and Buddy out of the rain forest and back to the campsite, the workers behind her. Because of the impending darkness, no one spoke; they were too busy concentrating on not tripping over anything or getting lost. So Annie had plenty of time to think about what had happened between her and Cooper.

Not thirty minutes before she had told herself she wouldn’t get involved with Cooper, and then that moment. Moments ruined lives, she grumbled in her head. She didn’t want to have moments with Cooper, or anyone, for that matter. She had a life plan, and it did not include a man in it. But then she thought about how long it had been since she’d been with a man, let alone kissed one.

Annie’d had a boyfriend throughout her undergraduate studies, a nice young man named Brandon. The two had dated for three years, and as consenting adults, had enjoyed the pleasures of the flesh often. She shivered as she remembered how good an org*sm could feel when a man knew what he was doing. Brandon had been her only lover thus far, and he’d been pretty damn good. But when graduation approached, they realized their lives were taking them far away from each other. She wanted to get her masters, and he had plans to start his career. They had broken up on amicable terms, and had even enjoyed each other the few times they’d been able to see each other. The last time she’d seen him had been over a year ago, and she didn’t do one night stands. She’d been celibate ever since.

So she restarted the debate with herself over Cooper. Obviously he was interested in her; that look had been filled with lust. And the pull he had on her! Wow! She’d nearly leaned over and kissed him soundly on the mouth. Would he have returned the kiss? Hell yeah he would have; she saw it in his eyes. And now she was wet and lustful. A little fling in the Brazilian rain forest wouldn’t hurt a thing, she told herself with a grin.

Lost in thought, she tripped over a root and called out. All eyes turned to her as she caught herself before hitting the ground too hard. Cooper returned and helped her back to her feet.

“Are you okay?” Cooper asked, his hand on her upper arm.

Annie’s face was so red she was surprised it wasn’t glowing. “I’m fine,” she muttered as she brushed her clothes off, “Just a little embarrassed.”

“No need to be,” Cooper assured her, his grasp steadying her. “It’s easy to fall here. It’s a trail of sorts, just not a very good one.”

When he moved to release her arm, she took his hand in hers and smiled self-consciously. “Would you mind? I’d feel better with someone guiding me.”

Cooper smiled at her bold move. He was no fool; she didn’t need a guide. She’d felt the lust burning between them in the cave as well. “Of course I’ll hold your hand. But I should tell you, you don’t play the damsel in distress well.”

“If you know my game, why are you playing along?” she flirted.

“I haven’t played any game in so long, I’m not sure I remember how. But I’d like to try,” Cooper told her.

“Looks like we’re in the same position. I haven’t played for a bit of time either,” Annie responded. She turned to follow Buddy, who rolled his eyes at them and continued down the path. “I wonder who will win.”

“If I have my way, we’ll both win,” Cooper claimed, squeezing her hand tightly.

Annie giggled. “So tell me. What kind of food do we eat at the campsite?”

“Ah well, about that,” Cooper said, obviously uncomfortable. “The food is pretty rough. Definitely not what you call fine dining?”
Annie frowned. “Is it edible?”

“Most nights. We mostly eat food straight out of the cans. Sometimes, when we’re lucky, one of us will either kill or catch something for dinner. Otherwise, our protein comes from the canned meat or beans.”
“Yum.” Annie was grateful she’d had time to eat at the airport. “Well, I didn’t come out here expecting much. And I can eat just about anything as long as it fills my tummy.”

“I think that’s a shifter thing,” Buddy commented. He’d been listening. “Because this stuff tears up my stomach sometimes, but Cooper never has a speck of trouble.”
“Maybe that’s because I’m in my twenties and you’re in your fifties,” Cooper called forward.

Buddy stopped and turned. “Watch it, pal. I can take you no matter how old I am.” He raised his fists in a mock boxing stance and imitated the Cowardly Lion. “Come on, put ‘em up, put ‘em up.”

Annie laughed and said, “I don’t think we’re in Kansas anymore.”
“Good lord, I hope not. Dreadful place,” Buddy affirmed with a snort.

Cooper leaned closer to Annie. “Buddy is actually from Kansas. Claims it’s the worst place in the world.”

“Most boring is more like it,” Buddy replied as they stepped into camp. “Go ahead and eat. I’ve got some food in my camper. I’ll see you in the morning.” He trudged to his camper, shutting the door decisively behind him.

Cooper led Annie to the kitchen area and picnic table. He opened a locked wooden box and reached in to pull out cans of food.

“All right, Annie, what’ll it be? We can split the can of ham, and you get your choice of beans or peas.”

“Um, thanks, but I ate at the airport,” she told him, but her stomach gave a little rumble, disputing her words. She smiled. “I guess the walk was more exercise than I thought. I’ll take the beans.”
“A good choice, madam,” Cooper said with a bow. He dug around in the box for a can opener and began opening cans. The other men had filed over and were digging around as well. As Annie watched, she began to understand how this worked. Each man got his own can of vegetables, and then a pair shared a can of ham.

“How often do you go to town for supplies?”

“About once a month. I probably should have picked up supplies today when I went to pick you up,” Cooper answered as he handed over her can of beans. “Regardless, we have plenty until it’s time to take you back to the airport.”