Page 14 of Saved By the Servali

“I’m going,” he grumbled, tail flicking angrily behind him.

When he arrived at Nessa’s room, he pressed the call button with a sweating palm and heard a drowsy voice tell him to come in. Kamau’s pawprint was recognized by the ship’s computer, sliding open when Kamau pressed against the panel outside the gleaming metallic doors.

“I’ve brought you something especially delicious and nourishing, my Queen. I mean, Miss Nessa, if I may be so bold,” Kamau stumbled into the room and over his words.

Nessa sat up, her plump, voluptuous body looking little and forlorn in the midst of the giant Felid-sized bed. “It smells amazing, even from here. What is it?”

“Homemade millet noodles with a rich and savory broth that is nutritious, yet easily digestible,” he blurted out, sounding like an ad for some wonder drug. “Soup.” He gulped.

Nessa beamed and scooted over to the edge of the bed, sliding partway before rolling over.

Don’t stare, don’t stare.

He stared. The low-cut blue dress she now wore revealed far too much skin when she shimmied and swayed into a sitting position.

And her hips! Her tailless rear made him think all sorts of lustful thoughts, wondering what humans looked like naked, and what did their lovers do without a tail to caress and use for pleasuring? If he were to be fortunate enough to be her lover, would he get to dig his paws into her wide rump and massage her until she purred?

“I will put this on the table,” he croaked, forcing himself to turn away.

“Um. You might not want to. I hate to admit it, but I don’t think I can walk over there right now. Phew.” Nessa sat on the edge of the bed, looking woozy. “I could fit half of my entire apartment on this bed—and the rest in the shower. You guys know how to spoil a guest.”

He couldn't let that comment slide by unremarked upon. “Nonsense. These are basic staff quarters—although they are beautiful ones and in excellent condition. May I help you to the table?”

“I mean, you can try, but—ooh!” Nessa stopped speaking as Kamau lifted her easily in his arms and carried her to a chair. “Thank you,” she said when he sat her down, staring at him with a look he couldn’t quite understand.

HE PICKED ME UP. LIKE... nothing. Like it was nothing.

When was the last time someone held me? Hugged me? Picked me up?

Not since her father. Not since she was a little girl. When you lived and worked at the MWIP, you were careful who you made your friend, and even more careful who you let get close. Youwere stuck together in the staff housing, tripping over each other all day at work, avoiding the annoying people in the dozen or so MWIP-owned leisure and entertainment areas.

Anyone you didn’t come to despise or respect—was just traveling through.

Her touch-starved senses wanted to be picked up again, cradled, no, crushed in a tight embrace that was made up of the softest, silkiest fur and the rippling, lean muscles that made Kamau so complex.

Like the way he smiles with fangs that could bite my arm off—and ducks his head like he’s worried I’ll scold him.

“You just picked me up,” Nessa finally said when he sat beside her.

“Oh! Yes, I’m sorry. I should have asked.”

“I’m not mad, I just— No one picks me up.”

Kamau’s tail started whipping behind him, large nervous sweeps that matched the sudden tension on his face. “I’m so sorry, Miss Nessa. I should have known that someone as powerful as you, a warrior and an inspector of ships in an intergalactic port, would not tolerate such a liberty.”

“What? No! It’s not like that. I mean... I’m fat. And I’m tall. Human men would have to be part cybernetic to lift me without a lot of groaning and grunting,” she said drily. She stole a quick glance down at her uni-thigh, the single smooth tail her thick hips seemed to spawn whenever she sat down in a dress.

Did I lose weight? I didn’t eat for a week, I damn well better have lost some fucking weight!

But although the bulges were smaller, they were still there.God damn it.

“Well, my fat probably kept me alive.”

“You say fat like it’s bad,” Kamau cocked his head, big ears twitching.

Shit, he’s adorable. Those ears! I wonder if I’m allowed to pet them?

No! We do not “pet” seven-foot-tall Felids who can pick us up without thinking!

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