to her, as long as the fumes of asphalt didn't overwhelm him.
The cab came to a halt outside the service station. The fluorescents splashed down over the concrete at the pumps, the inside of the station bright for all the world to see. It was eerie to see it lit like a Christmas tree with no one around. For security, the lights blared all night, but it had long since closed.
Empty. Fonso would not be here to lend her fare. It was who-knows-what-time in the middle of the night. She jumped out of the taxi.
"Hey, wait a minute.” The driver yelled after her.
She didn't stop to bicker, since she intended to pay him. She yelled over her shoulder, “I'll be right back, and there's a good tip in the deal for you."
Allie jogged to the rear entry and scanned for any witnesses. She picked up a rock where she'd hidden a key. Allie unlocked the door, nudged it with her hip, and entered the security code into the pad on the wall. At the register, she keyed in her PIN and grabbed two twenties from the till.
A scuffle came from behind her, and she jolted. The driver stood in the door and eyed the register. She gulped and pushed the drawer shut. At the loud “ding” from the machine, the cabbie blinked and looked at her.
Under the counter at her knee, Fonso's gun gave her courage, though she'd never use it. Her words came steady and strong. “Thanks for waiting. Have a nice night."
The driver stood still for a moment, and she couldn't read his intent from his blank expression. A soft growl interrupted the silence. A giant, man-sized wolf, teeth bared, stalked into the office.
"Holy shit!” The heavy-set man backed away from Allie and circled away from Brock, who edged toward her with a deep grumbling.
"Is that thing yours?” he asked with a shaky, high voice that cracked. His face etched in fear, he backed toward the door.
"Yes, he's mine."
At her declaration, the cabbie darted out the door, and Brock grew quiet with a few left over chuffs. His blue eyes hadn't changed and were so like the man who'd been such a part of her life. His head was as high as her chest, so he had to bend to nudge her hand.
She ran her fingers lightly over his fur, eliciting a whimper of pleasure. Pleased with his response, she scratched behind his ears, ruffled the tuft under his chin, and skimmed across his back. Grabbing a fistful of his pelt, she tugged and sifted his coarse yet soft fur.
At his continued nudging, she sat in the office chair that creaked in protest. The force of his head dropping into her lap wheeled the chair back against the wall, and the windows in the small office shook in their casements. She stroked his head. His chest rumbled, and he licked her hand. When he started to nuzzle her crotch, she stiffened.
"Stop that. Not like this,” she insisted.
Before she could push his nose away, he trembled. Recognizing the signs, she waited for his shift. Countless times, she'd seen others change, but now it struck her speechless.
His fur dropped off and scattered along the oil-stained floor in gossamer strands. As if a soft wind blew away the hair, golden skin appeared, and he straightened his legs with an audible pop, one at a time in a leisurely stretch. He kept his nose in her lap. His snout retreated, and his head rounded beneath her splayed fingertips. He groaned a human sound of a male in pain. To comfort, she rubbed through his jet-black, silky hair.
"I've missed you, Allie."
At his croaked admission, Allie began to cry like the ten-year-old he'd left behind. He stood to reveal a gloriously nude body in prime condition. An impressive erection strained in front of him with unabashed interest. She didn't have that kind of experience, but he seemed large to her. He wanted to slide all that inside her. Her tears stopped abruptly. The shock sliced through her from head to crotch and ended with an electric current to her clit.
He scooped her up and held her against him. His arms were like heaven, a homecoming so sweet she