“I heard people say you took in stray animals,” he said.

  “What people?”

  He shrugged. “Just people.”

  She hmphed. “I guess word gets out.”

  “Then, you’ll keep him?” he said.

  “Until I find another home for him.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “I guess you’d better stay here, too, until we figure something out.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Don’t get too happy about it,” she said. “Act up, and you’ll be out on your ass.”

  She didn’t define act up, but her expression spoke volumes. There wouldn’t be any mating tonight. “I don’t doubt it.”

  “There’s a couch in the living room. I’ll get you some blankets and a pillow.”

  And so, he would spend his first night in human form wearing his pants and alone on a couch. Not what Klaus had had in mind for him.

  * * *

  In Allison’s dream, she was flying down a country road on a motorcycle. The nature around her took her breath away with its beauty. She went by an enormous lake fed by a waterfall in the distance. Tall birds as white as untouched snow walked in a stately parade through the shallows. The water was so clear, the sun penetrated all the way down to the sandy bottom. With unconscious knowledge, she knew it would be warm enough for her to simply walk into it, and the currents would carry her somewhere just as magnificent.

  She willed the bike between her legs to stop, but it wouldn’t. She couldn’t let this scenery go by without sitting in silence inside it. On and on she and the motorcycle went, past breathtaking views and rushing water. She couldn’t figure out how to stop so she could explore her surroundings, but the vibrations did have one benefit. It was rubbing against her clitoris, sending her into an arousal so intense she’d climax soon.

  If only her brain would conjure up a lover to satisfy her completely. She’d come this way, and it would feel really good but so much more intense with a hard cock inside her. The penetration alone would probably finish her.

  The scenery had wildlife, all right, and flowers and the waterfall in the distance, but there were no humans of any kind around. She continued to become more and more aroused. She might not be able to climax, after all. She’d have to continue this ride frustrated that she could neither get relief from the throbbing between her legs nor swim in the warm water. Maybe this wasn’t such a great dream, after all.

  She woke up with a start and stared up toward the ceiling. In the dark, she couldn’t see much, but there wasn’t much interesting up there, anyway. She turned her head and glanced at the clock on her nightstand. Two fourteen in the morning. Dawn was still hours away.

  Only the arousal part of her dream had been real. She still hovered near climax. The excitement would fade if she did nothing, but she’d spend a good amount of time in misery before it did. She could use her fingers to give herself relief. That would be pleasant, and she could go back to sleep afterward, but she couldn’t get the images of a cock thrusting into her to make the climax complete.

  The fact that a man was under some covers on her couch didn’t help. What if he was well-endowed? What if he was lying there with a nice erection? She could lift her nightgown, swing her leg over him, and take him inside her.

  She hadn’t had sex in so long. Toys and her fingers only took the edge off the cravings. Now, it seemed they couldn’t even do that. The only good part about her relationship with Steve, her ex, had been the fucking. All the men who frequented Smokey’s -- people like Dutch -- came with bag-loads of the same emotional shit Steve had saddled her with. She was not going to “knock off a piece” with any of them.

  Kurt was different. He was clean, for one thing. Not just that he didn’t use illegal stuff, as far as she could tell. But he showered, and he smelled good. She’d gotten close to him enough to discover that. Heck, having him around had probably caused this whole mess. They’d concentrated on the dog, but she couldn’t help but sense him in so many ways while they did. His scent, his body warmth, the deep sound of his voice. He’d been so gentle with the poor mutt. He was not the sort of man who came to her bar to get loaded.

  He’d invaded her senses, and she’d taken that physical knowledge of him into her dream. Now, her body wanted him. So, she could lie here and use him for a hot fantasy while she rubbed her clit.

  Or, she could get up and check on him. He’d probably be snoring away, and she wouldn’t have the guts to wake him up and ask for sex. She’d just reassure herself that he was asleep and then come back in here to take care of herself.

  She got up and grabbed the robe that she’d laid across the foot of the bed. Normally, she wouldn’t bother with it at all. She shrugged into it and stepped out into the hallway. In silence, she walked the short distance to the living room. Here, the streetlights outside created just enough illumination for her to make out the couch and the figure lying on it. He didn’t move and didn’t make a sound, as she’d expected. She stood for a while to see if he’d do anything at all. When he didn’t, she turned to go back.

  “Do you need something?” his warm voice called softly.

  “Um… no.” With no plan of what to do if he’d been awake, she just froze.

  “Are you sure?”

  No, she wasn’t sure, damn it. She needed something, all right, and he could possibly deliver it. But couldn’t bring herself ask a complete stranger if he wanted to fuck. She couldn’t even do it politely by asking him if he wanted to join her in bed. Great. So, what in hell was she going to do?

  “Would you like me to hold you?” he asked.

  The thought was so ridiculous she had to laugh. Biker guy with no bike she’d seen asking if he should just hold her. But, still, her feet wouldn’t move.

  “Would you do that?” she replied.

  “Everyone needs to be held sometimes,” he answered.

  “I would like that.”

  Finally, a rustling sound came from the direction of the couch. She turned to find him rising. A silhouette of shadow. He was larger than she’d remembered. Taller with broader shoulders. As he approached, he became more visible. He’d stripped to the waist, and she got a good view of an expanse of chest. He still wore his leather pants.

  “Are you going to wear that?” she asked.

  “The pants would be weird between sheets,” he said. “I have briefs on underneath.”

  “That’ll do.” Of course, she’d pictured him naked. Maybe he wasn’t turned on by the idea of sleeping next to her. If so, she couldn’t very well masturbate with his arms around her. Maybe she’d manage to get to sleep, anyway. This hadn’t been a really great idea. Too late to do anything about it now.

  She led him into the bedroom and closed the door in case Brutus wanted to join them. After shrugging out of her robe and laying it across the bed, she climbed in between the sheets and waited for him. She did not watch him get out of his pants nor stare at his crotch to see if he had an erection.

  And when he got in beside her and wrapped his arm around her, she didn’t rub against him to see if he was hard. At least, not enough for him to notice.

  He gave off enough warmth to heat her whole house. Heavenly. When had she last slept with someone, just slept? She’d had sex a few times with men she wouldn’t get attached to. She’d selected them specifically because they didn’t interest her much. And also because they seemed like decent sorts who would care about her pleasure as well as their own. She hadn’t always been right about that last part, but that was tough to tell before you really knew someone.

  Kurt made no move to do anything other than lie with her. Apparently, he’d really meant he’d hold her, not initiate sex. That had never happened to her before. Really sweet of him, but it didn’t solve her problem.

  The arousal had abated… somewhat. She wasn’t about to lose her mind if she didn’t climax. Problem solved if she could go to sleep, but that wouldn’t happen with a man’s firm body next to hers. He’d proved he was more than considerate, first with the dog and now with her. He probably would make sure he satisfied her. So, why not fuck him? He wasn’t going to stay here forever.

  She rolled onto her side so she could look him in the face. She couldn’t see much, of course, but his eyes were open, and they had a moment like the one they’d shared while caring for the dog. Intense, as if they’d known each other from the womb and had just been reunited.

  “Is something wrong?” he asked.

  “No.” Shit, for once, she ought to tell the truth. “Yeah, there kinda is.”

  “What? I’ll fix it.”

  How in hell had she suddenly turned shy? Because she never had to ask for sex -- men always did the asking? Because there was something different about this guy? Whatever. She ought to get over it.

  Instead of using words, she kissed him. He seemed surprised at first, the arm thrown over her stiffening. But then, he relaxed into it, and his lips moved over hers softly.

  Holy shit, it was sweet. Like no kiss she could remember. His mouth coaxed hers. It didn’t demand. It pulled a response from deep inside her, and in a moment, she lost herself in it.

  Her heart started to pound in her chest, and she could scarcely catch her breath. When he moved over her, she wrapped her arms around him, holding him tight against her. A moan came from somewhere. Her voice, strained with arousal.

  He stopped then, pulling his face away from hers. “Should I stop?”

  “Hell, no.” That came out easily enough.

  He rested his face against her shoulder where his breath came hot and heavy against the crook of her neck. “Should I take off my briefs?”

  “Please.”

  He got out of the bed and slid his briefs down his legs. When he kicked out of them, he stood there. Naked and aroused. Again, there was little light in the room, but she could make out his cock well enough. The thing was perfect -- long and thick with a prominent head. Exactly what she’d wanted so badly in her dream.

  Now, she’d have it. The impossible feeling that she could explode out of her skin. Any moment she’d climax and shatter into a thousand pieces of pure bliss. He could give her the promise of the dream.

  He got back into bed and kissed her again, this time resting his body over hers. She put her arms around him, but the contact wasn’t enough. She needed him skin-to-skin. She struggled with her nightgown, pulling it up as best she could. He helped her, and eventually they had it off, and he threw it across the room.

  Now, when he moved his body to hers, his flesh rubbed against hers everywhere. Delicious friction that heated her even more. His scent surrounded her, and the firmness of him anchored her in a new reality.

  Then his hand moved… over her belly and below to where the tension came roaring back as strong as before. His fingers parted her pussy lips, and one landed right on her clit. She sucked in a loud breath, as her hips moved on their own.

  “The right spot,” he whispered.

  “God, yes.”

  He continued, pressing and flicking his finger until she went out of her fucking mind. She’d never felt like this… wouldn’t have believed it was possible, but he kept on and on until she was ready to snap.

  “Inside me,” she barely managed to say.

  He moved, settling himself between her legs and pushed until the head of his cock had just entered her. Then, with one thrust he claimed her, filling her with himself.

  Her body could take no more but burst into orgasm. Lights flashed behind her eyelids as her pussy convulsed around him. Every bit as powerful as she’d imagined. A few more savage movements, and he came with her, pushing her even higher. They hung together for long seconds before it finally ended.

  He lay limp against her, and she held him, savoring his weight. He was still inside her as her muscles contracted in tiny aftershocks. Proof of how amazing the orgasm had been.

  After a bit, he rolled off her but kept an arm around her. “I’m sorry that was so fast.”

  “No worries. It was… beyond belief.”

  “Gott sei dank,” he said. “I’ll do better next time.”

  She might have laughed at that if she’d had the strength. He’d just given her the best orgasm of her life, and he was promising to get better.

  “I think you’ll be staying for a while,” she said. “If you want.”

  “Thank God for that, too.”

  Chapter Two

  It was weird as all hell having a man in her kitchen. Weirder still… Allison was standing at her stove cooking him breakfast. She’d grown up here and now occupied the room her parents had shared, her childhood room not being much more than a closet. Since she’d come home after her parents’ deaths, she’d made this place her own. For damned sure, Steve had never been here. She’d dumped his ass as soon as she’d left rehab. With him in her life, she never would have fully recovered.

  This Kurt’s only resemblance to Steve was the leathers he wore -- now just the pants. She hadn’t seen any evidence he owned a bike, so what was up with the outfit? But he was still a man, and in the light of day he was big. And how could any woman look at anything but his perfect chest and hard abs? Especially the woman who’d had that amazing sex and then had slept in his warmth.

  He was crouched over the dog bed in the corner, which was now occupied by the pooch they’d rescued the night before. Brutus came to sniff him. He seemed to take that in stride, despite Brutus’s size, and scratched him behind the ear while with his other hand he stroked their new arrival’s head.

  “So you already cleaned him,” he said. “I should have helped. Sorry I slept late.”

  “No problem.” After her first fuck in longer than she could figure, she should have slept, too, but the cats had had other ideas. They’d scratched at the bedroom door until she’d given in and gotten up.

  Kurt continued petting the dogs. Now fed, her two cats, Mimi and Doc, slept in their favorite spots on the enlarged shelf she’d built by the window so they could watch everything that went on in the back yard and garden. All the animals had eaten, including the newbie, who’d gobbled his food up as if he hadn’t eaten in days. He might not have.

  Kurt rose and stood in the middle of the room as if not knowing what to do with himself. “Should I do something to help?”

  “Can you flip eggs?”

  He just shook his head.

  “Okay. Make toast. There’s bread on top of the fridge, and the toaster’s over there.” She nodded toward the counter.

  “Um… sure.” He grabbed the bread and took it to the counter. After removing a couple of slices, he held one in each hand while studying the toaster.

  “You don’t know how to make toast?” She’d met some clueless men, but not quite this unfamiliar with a kitchen.

  “Sorry.”

  “Put the bread into those slots and push the handle down.”

  He managed that while she slid the plate of cooked bacon into the warm oven. “There’s butter in the refrigerator. You can set it on the table.”

  What kind of person didn’t know how to use a toaster? Kurt clearly spoke German, so he wasn’t native to the USA, but they had to have toasters in Germany. Then, there was the issue of his lack of a last name. Was he some kind of fairy-person sent by a goddess to fulfill Allison’s sex life? He could do that well enough.

  She flipped the eggs to cook the other sides briefly. Working as a short-order cook when she was strung out at least had given her that ability. Then, she set the eggs on plates and put them on the table. After retrieving the bacon from the oven, she had breakfast set. Except for the toast. Kurt juggled two hot pieces of bread and managed to put one on each plate. Then, he took his seat.

  “You don’t know the first thing about making breakfast, do you?” she asked as she got up to pour him a cup of coffee. As she took her own seat and picked up her mug, he tried the hot brew and made a face.

  “Not the American way, no.”

  “How do they do it in Germany?” she asked. “That is where you come from, isn’t it?”

  “The same, I imagine.” He glanced across the room, and his gaze landed on the cage in one corner. “Does something live in there?”

  “Just Squirm.”

  “What is Squirm?”

  She put her mug down and waited for the inevitable reaction. “He’s a snake.”

  “Gott im Himmel.”

  Great. Now she was bilingual in fear of snakes. “He’s harmless. Matter of fact, he’s really beautiful.”

  “How did you get a snake?”

  “One of my asshole customers thought it would be cool to get a dangerous pet,” she said. “What he didn’t realize is corn snakes don’t grow to much more than four feet, and they don’t have any venom. Squirm can’t hurt anything bigger than a rat.”

  “So you took him?”

  “If I didn’t, the asshole was going to throw him in the sewer,” she answered.

  For the whole time, Brutus had taken up his begging station. He knew better than to ask Allison for food, but the dog was smart enough to try to get something from Kurt. Now that Kurt wasn’t paying any attention to anything but the snake cage, Brutus sat up on his hind legs and took a bite of Kurt’s toast. The look of astonishment on Kurt’s face was priceless, and Allison had to swallow a piece of bacon before she choked. Once safe, she dissolved into laughter.

  “You have to keep an eye on your food in this house,” she said when she’d stopped giggling. “Don’t give him anything else, or he’ll keep pestering you.”

  Kurt set the toast on his plate. “Do you take in any animal at all?”

  She shrugged. “You’re my first human.”

  The new dog had gotten to his feet and moseyed over to stand beside her. Against her better judgment, she broke off a piece of Kurt’s toast and gave it to the pooch.

  Kurt eased his plate to the side and rested his elbows on the table. “What if I’m not completely human?”