Page 22 of Pleasured By the Panther
The “trains” were… creatures. Enormous, flat-bodied, millipede-like beasts with rows of seats strapped securely along their long backs. Each one was easily the length of a school bus—their shiny, segmented carapaces gleaming faintly under the glow-blossoms.
Dangling from a chain in front of each creature was a silver ball stuffed with long purple fibers. One of the creatures shuffled its mandibles eagerly, clacking them against the mesh as if it wanted to devour the fibrous prize.
“When the bait is raised out of reach, the carpet wole chases it,” Korrath explained, pointing to the ball. “The wole will carry us swiftly to the Dark Side.”
Miranda’s pulse picked up. It’s like a roller coaster, she thought, a memory flashing through her head of Hanna at seven years old, clutching her hand in line for the Hulk coaster at Universal Studios.
The normally shy and retiring Hanna had been absolutely fearless when it came to thrill rides. Miranda was…less so. Also, it had been years since she’d ridden anything wilder than an escalator.
“You want me to ride that?” she asked, staring at the massive wole’s undulating body.
Korrath’s lips curved faintly.
“It is perfectly safe, little one. Sit with me, and you will enjoy the ride.”
Still doubtful, she let him help her up onto the broad back. The seat was surprisingly comfortable, strapped securely into the creature’s ridged plating. Korrath sat close beside her, his warmth steady against her side.
Then the bait-ball rose, just out of the creature’s reach and the wole surged forward.
Miranda gasped and clutched at Korrath instinctively as the creature raced ahead with startling speed, rushing up the tracks with a clacking sound which must be its many legs moving. The world blurred past, blossoms streaking by in a riot of color.
The wole climbed suddenly—higher and higher—until the ground was dizzyingly far below. Miranda’s stomach swooped and she cried out, clutching tighter. Korrath’s arm went around her waist, anchoring her against him.
“Hold on to me,” he murmured in her ear. “I won’t let you fall.”
Exhilaration rushed through her, mingled with fear. She pressed closer to him as the wole crested the enormous hill—then plunged down again.
“Ahhh!” The scream tore from her throat before she could stop it. The wind whipped at her hair as the creature dove, rushing through tunnels of glowing vines, skimming water so close she swore she could dip her toes into it.
And then it went up again, climbing and plunging, weaving like some massive serpent through the living corridors of the ship.
Miranda’s heart thundered in her chest, her breath coming fast—but she was laughing now, clinging to Korrath. He held her easily, one big arm caging her protectively, his chest rumbling with what might have been laughter of his own.
By the time the wole slowed and the bait-ball lowered again for it to feed, Miranda’s legs felt wobbly and her cheeks ached from grinning. “
That was—oh my God—that was amazing.”
“Exhilarating, isn’t it?” Korrath asked, his eyes gleaming.
She nodded breathlessly.
“Yes. I haven’t ridden anything like that in… God, since Hanna was a little girl.”
The memory softened her smile, but as she slid off the creature’s back and stood on shaky legs, another sensation replaced her nostalgia.
Her nipples ached—they felt tender and stiff under the leaf dress. And lower… her pussy was hot…achy…wet.
Her face burned as she tried to adjust the makeshift dress around her.
What’s wrong with me? Why am I reacting this way?
It was just a ride—just a thrill. And yet her body felt hot and needy, as if she hadn’t just had an incredible orgasm not even an hour ago.
Get a grip, Miranda, she scolded herself. Stop thinking about it and it will go away.
She took a deep breath and squared her shoulders. Right, she was just going to ignore these weird sensations and concentrate on touring the Dark Side of the ship.
Korrath stepped to her side, taking her arm as though nothing was amiss.
