The plane didn’t fly straight across her lake, instead it circled over the area around her fort. Had it noted something off about her hologram or was it looking for something?
The plane circled twice and then flew back to the north. Tansy added notes and the time of exit, then descended from the tree.
Feeling a little unnerved, she locked the door of the fort behind her and looked for her phone.
When it rang, she found it under some of the parts she’d been using for the trackers.
Sam.
“Hi Sam. Did you see the plane from the lodge?”
“You’re okay?”
His breathing was labored. “Are you running?”
His laugh was harsh. “I was heading for you. You didn’t answer your phone, and I saw the plane.”
And he’d worried.
“Sorry. I was up in the tree recording data when I heard it. I didn’t want to attract attention, so I stayed where I was until it disappeared.”
His breathing slowed. “Good. Okay, that’s good. I’m halfway there now, I’ll see you in a few minutes.”
Tansy’s heart shimmered. He’d been worried and had come running to check on her. Her phone showed a text and three missed calls from him. She’d have to remember to bring her phone with her even on her forays into the trees.
Now that she had a good reason to remember it, she just might. Knowing Sam would worry if she didn’t made it important.
Tansy had updated her holo findings when the phone beeped again.I’m here.
Tansy opened the door and Sam moved into the space and locked the door behind him. He boosted her up, and she wrapped her legs around him. Then he turned and leaned her back against the door.
His mouth covered hers in a searing kiss that had her grinding against him in a desperate bid for more contact.
Sam cupped her face. “The plane scared the shit out of me, Tansy. I didn’t know you were safe.” His kiss was rough, full of emotions, and she kissed him back with everything she had.
“I need you safe, Tansy.”
She answered his whisper with one of her own. “I’m safe, Sam. I need you safe, too.” And so much more. She needed him safe, sure. But she needed him happy. Needed him with her.
Needed him.
“Any science things need your immediate attention?”
What? “No, I updated my chart.”
His hands slipped under her t-shirt. “Any work that needs done right now?”
Wouldn’t matter if there was. “No.”
He brushed her nipples and kissed along her jaw toward her ear. “Any CleanySaurs going to attack while we’re naked?”
Tansy laughed. “Not this time.”
She was still smiling when his mouth covered hers with need pouring from them both.
And in that moment, her heart toppled.
Plop. Right at his feet.