Page 6 of Whisker Me Away

It’s been so long since I’ve allowed myself a slice of peace in nature. I’m a manatee shifter but it’s been so long since I’ve actually shifted, or allowed my manatee skin to be free in a giant pool of water. He misses it, craves it even. I’ve been neglecting that side of myself by staying in the city and keeping myself constantly busy with work. Not only does my human side deserve this vacation, but so does my animal side.

I chance a glance over at Spencer. His face looks so relaxed and at peace. There’s not an ounce of tension in his body. His long fingers are wrapped around his coffee cup and I find myself staring. They’re such pretty hands. Thin fingers that are almost boney at the knuckles. I want to touch them and watch them do unthinkable things. I bet they’re incredibly dexterous, they must be if he’s using a knife regularly at his job.

Spencer looks over at me and for the first time since meeting him, I’m the one who looks away embarrassed. I feel my cheeks heat beneath my beard. I take a sip of my coffee, doing my best to look casual and aloof.

I’m fairly certain I do a piss poor job but I don’t really care. I don’t mind Spencer knowing I’m looking at him, so long as it doesn’t make him uncomfortable. Based on the little smiles and the way his eyes light up, I’d guess he’s attracted to me, same as I am to him. But I won’t know that for certain until I ask. That can wait a bit longer though. No need to scare him away so soon.

I drink the rest of my coffee and toss it into the trash by the door. Then I get up, stretching my arms over my head, groaning as my spine cracks. I sound like I’m an old man instead of 35.

Taking a few things out of my bag, I start to get ready for the day. I quickly change my shirt before pulling the braids out of my beard. I spray it with moisturizer before brushing it out and rebraiding it, this time with a different design. I add a couple charms to the end for good measure. The entire time, I can feel Spencer’s eyes on me. It’s a heady feeling. I like it. Once that’sdone, I head into the bathroom to piss and change my boxers and pants.

I toss my dirty clothes into my bag before turning to Spencer. “Do you have plans for the day? I was thinking of heading up to the observation deck. Would you like to come with?”

Spencer nods. “Yeah, that sounds nice.”

He grabs a notebook from his bag and follows me out of our room.

“Hello, gentlemen,” Matthew says, bowing with a flourish that makes me smile. “While you’re out, would you mind if I popped into your room for a quick tidy? Just taking out the trash, making sure you have towels, that sort of thing?”

“Totally fine by me,” I say, turning towards Spencer.

Spencer nods along. “That would be great. Thank you, Matthew.”

Matthew tips his cute little hat to us as we continue down the hall towards the front of the train. I have to clench my hand tight and stuff it into my pocket to keep myself from reaching over and placing it on Spencer’s back as we walk. I don’t know why but I just have this sensation inside of me, wanting to reach out and touch him. It’s so unlike what I usually feel for people I’ve only just met.

It’s like there’s this long-forgotten instinct, buried deep inside of me trying to burst free.

As we climb up the stairs to the second floor, I get an eyeful of Spencer’s ass. Maybe this isn’t some instinct, maybe it’s just the fact that I’m horny for Spencer. Either way, I’m not mad about it.

We find a little two seater off by itself and gravitate towards it. We sit down, tucked together, our sides touching. Spencer is warm and sparks of pleasure race through my middle and down my arm.

“It’s so pretty up here,” Spencer breathes out, staring out the window.

I say the first thing that comes to mind. “You’re so pretty.” Spencer’s eyes snap over to me and I wince. “Sorry, I shouldn’t have said that. Just because it’s true doesn’t mean you want to hear that from me.”

Spencer’s mouth opens and closes a few times before he covers his face with his hands, trying to hide the rapid blush that’s coloring his cheeks. He’s so goddamn pretty I can barely stand it.

Finally, he comes back up for air. With a shaky breath he replies, “I wouldn’t say I don’t want to hear that from you. It’s just surprising. That’s all.”

“Why would that be surprising?”

“Because you’re you and I’m me? You’re like ridiculously hot and all sorts of confident while I’m more used to hiding. You’re perceiving me in a way that’s kinda freaking me out.” Then his eyes widen and he quickly reaches over, putting a hand on my wrist. I suck in a sharp breath as sparks race across my skin where he’s touching me. “Not that it’s bad! Only unexpected! Oh my gods, I should shut the fuck up now.”

Spencer pulls away, tucking the front of his shirt over his face. He groans in frustration and I cannot stop watching him with a mixture of amusement and interest. His rambling is so fucking adorable. I think I could listen to him talk for hours and not get bored.

“Do you believe in magic?” I ask him, trying to put his mind at ease.

“In a young girl’s heart?” I narrow my eyes at him and he snorts. “Yeah, I do. Why? Doyoubelieve in magic?”

I look around, making sure there aren’t any passengers near us. I’m fairly certain there are other shifters on the train, but I can’t smell any up here at the moment.

“Of course I believe in magic,” I say with a grin, keeping my voice quiet so only Spencer can hear. “Otherwise, how do you explain the fact that I can sometimes change into an animal?”

Spencer leans his head closer, so close I can feel his breath against my skin. “You’re a shifter?” I nod my head and Spencer smiles. “So am I! A cat!”

“Omega?” I guess and Spencer nods his head. “Me too.”

“Is that umm, is that a problem for you? That we’re both omegas, I mean?”

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