Pillow Talk
"I have spoken with three of them," I said reading aloud, "Hausman, Farrow, and Yerkes - and I expect to see Kalmus tomorrow. They all profess belief in Blount's innocence, which is gratifying but not helpful. I not only profess it, I am committed to...
The Smell of Fresh-Mown Grass
His mind swam slowly upward through the mists of his sleep, not struggling either to wake up or go back to his dreams. In the moment, either would be pleasant enough. It was his nose that was helping him to return to the waking world, for there were...
The Laputan Factor 01
Quote: **TOP SECRET - "PERSEUS" (EYES ONLY)** **PERSONNEL:** O'Connell, Night. _Profile:_ Programming genius, project head - revolutionary VR technology. _Location:_Vacation resort, downtime reward for exceptional work. _Status:_ Recovering from...
Richard Cory
He always smelled of sex, whether his own or someone else's mixed with his own. I guess he couldn't help it, if I'm being honest - how many maned, long-furred, melanistic tigers are there in the world, much less one so perfectly lean and hard-muscled...
Escalation
Zachary flicked on the bedside light, shut off the alarm that would ring in another fifteen minutes anyway. He hadn't slept much, and it was almost time for him to meet Eoin for the morning jog. Maybe the run would help clear his head, blow out the...
The Punishment, Part 3
Kevin sat a upon a stool near a bar-like countertop, watching Fannar move expertly about the kitchen, preparing several dishes simultaneously. The little white wolf had come to wake him perhaps twenty minutes ago, giving him time to don his new...
Amo, Amas, Amat
The young tiger felt a little fidgety, more so than usual at this time, but he couldn't really say why. It was another Friday afternoon, and he sat as patiently as possible in the small tutoring room, waiting for his charge to show up. It was unusual...
Because You Have Wings
He always asked for me. I told myself I never really knew why. For the most part, I'm just an old black bear who can do his job well, no one particularly memorable. I like to think that I give my clients something special, even if it's not a "happy...
Ever I Saw Your Face
This is the story I'm not sure I should write, or even if I _can_ write it. Some memories are so intense, so personal, that to set them down on paper (or electronic document or whatever) may somehow crystallize the memory into something that can only...
Bound, Part 1
I had been at the mansion for a full day, by this time, and I still wasn’t at all sure what I’d let myself in for. I was a sort of “plus-one” to my friend Cory, and I had stayed in his shadow, as I usually did. He’s the self-confident young stallion,...
Baby Steps
"I didn't want you to go to any trouble." "Stop being silly." Jerry watched as the younger of his landlords continued to straighten up the living room of the big house, waiting for the auto-set electric kettle to chime its announcement that the...
Sins of the Father
Francesco LeClair tossed his duffle bag gently onto the bed and took the moment to look over his motel room. Pretty good, all in all -- king-sized bed (expertly made), comfortable work desk, a couple of chairs, the usual vid options. The bathroom was a...