Page 30 of The Dire Reaction

Oh, she’s a vixen. Her eyes look like they will envelope me when I step forward and thread my fingers into her loose hair, cupping her neck. “I can assure you, if I’m doing anything scandalous, I very much am expecting you to be a part of it.” Tipping my head, I seek out her soft mouth with mine, a thrill racing through me as she tilts to meet me. Her heartbeat is racing with mine. I press her lips gently, tasting a tantalizing chocolate trace when she sighs against me.

Her fingers splay a starburst pattern of heat across my chest and my hand seeks the curve of her waist as she melts closer against me. The fire in her hands tugs at the heat in my chest, luring me to press her closer. A momentary surge in willpower separates my lips from hers, echoed by a rumbling in my belly. “I’d better get our dinner started, or I’ll end up having dessert first.”

Still gripping her waist, I pull her from the cold stoop and push the door closed behind us. Dessert sounds so much more tempting right now, especially when I can hear her shallow breathing, hear her racing heart, and smell her arousal soaking through her tight pants. That scent will be the death of me, and I cannot wait to drown in it.

A steadying breath does little to slow my pulse, but I peel away anyways, returning to the small mountain of glittering potatoes. It’s distracting watching her from the corner of my eye, seeing her peel her coat off. A soft buzz of vanilla drifts to me when she steps to the island counter, leaning her elbows on it.

Hmm, it makes her ass stick out, just the right height. I make a mental note to bend her over the counter, soon.

“What can I do to help?” She purses her pouty lips, her half lidded eyes watching me intently.

Balancing the potatoes, I head to the door to put them on the grill. “There are drinks in the fridge. Help yourself and can you pull out a beer for me, please?” The chill outside eats through my light cotton shirt, hurrying me back to the warmth of the house.

My timing is impeccable, catching a glimpse of the heart shape of her ass poking out from the refrigerator as she peers inside. The tight knit of her yoga pants leaves little to my imagination, including the very noticeable lack of panty lines. Naughty girl.

I’m debating wrapping my hands around each orb when she straightens, a beer bottle in each hand. She sets the bottles on the counter next to the fridge. “Bottle opener?” Her brows raise as she contemplates all of the drawers.

“Right next to you, left-hand side.” She pulls on the small brass handle, emitting a smile of victory when she unveils the bottle opener lying on top of an oven mitt.

Making short work of removing the two caps, she hands me a chilled bottle before taking a long swallow from hers. Watching her throat move like that makes my own go parched, so I greedily drink down some of the soothing liquid.

“So,” she begins, “I got a letter today from The Research Organization calling for an immediate cease and desist of Thor’s treatments.” She takes another long swallow.

This surprises me. The treatment seems to be working, Thor has been acting like a puppy again, bounding and running painlessly.

“Well, I didn’t expect that. Did they say why?” Setting my beer aside, I start pulling the steaks from their marinade bath and stack them on a tray to go on the grill next.

“Yeah.” She pauses, taking another long pull from the bottle. “It’s transferring to humans, causing side effects.” Paling, she stares at her beer.

“Whoo, boy. What kind of side effects?” I turn back. She has my undivided attention.

“It’s a spectrum, they said. Anywhere from no effects, all the way to death.” She frowns as her eyes meet mine. “I think it’s what made us sick.” Her bottom lip folds between her teeth. “I’m sorry, they never said it could transfer to humans.”

“Hey, that is not your fault.” I step to her, running my hands up and down her arms. A small tremble dances under her skin. “I regret nothing.” Folding her against my chest, my fingers find that soft spot of her neck, her golden hair lightly tracing over my arm. “Besides, without those meds, how much longer would it be until I got to hold you like this? I would have had to keep making up excuses to get you out here.”

My belly warms as I feel her relax against me. Yes, this moment is a good thing that came out of this. “Tell me more. What exactly were we infected with?”

She shifts in my arms, the pain in her eyes has transformed to worry. “I signed a non-disclosure.” She looks into my eyes, squinting as she stares. Her pupils dilate when she realizes I’m leaning closer until our noses almost brush.

“Feel free to kick me in the balls if I tell another soul.” My cheeks tighten in a grin before I kiss her quickly on the tip of her nose.

Her mouth makes a perfect “O” as her cheeks blaze red. “I would never…” She trails off, a smile flitting over her features. “Okay. The researcher I spoke to said it very likely is airborne now. So, I imagine pretty soon the entire country is going to know all about this.”

“Shit.” I stand up. “Airborne is bad.” My nose signals that the potatoes are getting close to being done. “Keep talking. I’ll get the steaks on.” Picking up the piled tray, I leave the door open so I can hear her easily.

“They said side effects, besides death, could also be heightened senses, body hair, and even mutations.” I can’t see her face, and for a moment, I’m glad she can’t see mine. Alexander. I bet he was affected by this, too. Holy fuck, I could have ended up with a dog dick. Nasty. I’m a lot more okay with long orgasms and leaking.

“Why does it cause mutations? That’s weird, isn’t it?” My beer is calling my name. I put the tray the steaks were on into the sink, and finish what’s left in the bottle.

“I think it has to do with the DNA they used for the gene therapy. He said axolotl for regenerative abilities, jellyfish for longevity, and a third.” Wandering back to her jacket, she digs a piece of paper from her pocket, along with her cell phone.

“It used a third animal, Aenocyon dirus. Now, what the hell is that?” She quiets as she types it into her phone. “Holy fuck.” Her mouth hangs open, beckoning to my loins.

“What is it?” My curiosity is piqued.

“Dire wolf.” She drops her phone on the island, both hands falling flat next to it. She stares at it like the phone itself is going to leap at her throat.

“What would prompt them to use dire wolf?” Unbelievable.

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