Chapter Six
Later that evening, after I had put Daisy down for bed, I found Leonard by the fire with a pipe in his mouth. Plumes of grey smoke swirled over his head. I hadn’t had a moment alone with him in more than a day, and I wanted to ask him some questions. He eyed me with interest, as I approached.
“I have to talk to you.” He grunted in reply. “Are you free or do I have to make a damn appointment?” He’d understood me perfectly because his belly heaved with a suppressed laugh. I slid onto his lap, and he drew me close. “What the hell is going on?”
“I’m leader now,” he rasped.
“I know that. But why are all these Sasquatches still here?”
“They tell others that I’m leader now.”
“Oh.” I leaned in closer; his pungent fur reeked of marijuana smoke. “When are they leaving?” Kat eyed us, while Dale rubbed her huge belly. They were listening to our conversation.
“Tomorrow.”
“Thank God.” It was like being surrounded by strangers, not knowing their habits or proclivities. I had no desire to engage in an orgy with all these apes. I had felt the vibe earlier, and they would certainly enjoy such an event, but I would not participate. “Good. I want it to be just us again.”
“Some might stay.”
“What?” My spirits sank. “What do you mean some are staying?”
“We need more for the tribe. Not enough Bigfoots now.”
“How many are staying?”
“One or two.”
I sighed. “Okay. That’s not so bad. I snuggled into his fur. “I’m tired.”
“You good Porsche.” He licked the side of my face.
“Stop that.” Something hard pressed into my bottom. “Stop that too.”
“Ggrrrrr…”
“Shush.”
“I want my Porsche.”
“Not now. We have company.”
“Ggrrrrr…”
I pushed against him. “Oh, behave yourself.”
He grinned, flashing strong, white teeth. “I love my Porsche.”
I met his gaze. “I love you too.”
I turned in his arms, using him as a chair. Zelda stoked the fire, adding branches. Several apes played drums; the sound was beautiful, but primitive, yet relaxing. We had eaten salmon and huckleberries for dinner. The Bigfoots had provided wild asparagus, which we boiled with mushrooms. I’d become accustomed to simple, organic food.
Leslie had yet to put Wolfie down for bed, and the baby had fallen asleep in her arms. She sat on a camp chair, watching us. Several Sasquatches ate, picking meat off the spindly ribs of the remaining fish. They had consumed an enormous quantity of food today. We had nearly depleted our flour stores, and we were out of rice. Harry watched Leslie, while chewing on the end of a stick which he used to clean his teeth.
“You put the baby to bed,” he murmured.
“Don’t tell me what to do.” They had been arguing all day, with no end in sight.
“Baby’s tired.”
“Go blow yourself.”
He hadn’t understood that, but he must have suspected it was a putdown. “You’re a stubborn woman.”
She got to her feet, ignoring him. “I’ll be back.” Wolfie was like a comatose sack of potatoes over her shoulder.
When she returned, Leonard grunted and gestured at Harry, who returned the favor. I glanced between them catching bits and pieces of the conversation. Being with the tribe as long as I had, I could understand some Sasquatch. They wanted to take us away and enjoy alone time.
Leslie stalked towards me. “He’s out. I’m bushed. I’m gonna pee and go to sleep.” The camp was littered with Bigfoots, who lounged on their backs, some snoring. She stepped over a hairy leg to get to me. “What’s going on?”
“Um…nothing.” Leonard shifted, getting to his feet and bringing me with him.
“Where are you going?”
“I might’ve heard the word hot spring.”
“Well, have a good time.” Her expression betrayed irritation.
“I’m sure we will,” I giggled.
Harry had come up behind her, picking her up and slinging her over his shoulders. “What the fuck are you doing?”
“I think he wants you to join us.”
She smacked his back, pounding on him with all her might and kicking. “Put me down, you fucking ape!”
Zelda waved to us, grinning. “Have fun, ladies. I’ll keep the home fires burning. Don’t you worry about a thing.”
“Oh, shit! Put me down, you jackass!”
We were whisked into the forest, leaving behind the tribe, who didn’t seem to care that we had abandoned them. Even Pooky looked resigned to be left out of whatever entertainment Leonard and Harry had planned. The walk to the hot spring was short, the slightly rancid smell of sulfur lingering in the air. It was an aroma that didn’t bother me as much anymore, and, luckily, it would not linger on my skin, either that or I had grown immune to it.
Leonard set me on my feet near the edge. “I can walk, you know. You didn’t have to drag me out here.”
“Get in.”
“You first.”
He threw his leg over an embankment of rocks, sinking into the water. Turning, he held out his arms. “Come.”
I stepped out of my shorts and t-shirt, leaving them on a rock. “Okey-dokey.” I glanced at Leslie.
She looked less than pleased. “Let’s have a swim. No harm in a swim, is there?”
“Don’t touch me.” Harry had brushed against her on his way into the water. The pink tip of his cock poked through matted clumps of fur. She put her hands on her hips, glaring at him. “I see where this is going. You’re not romancing me off my feet, Casanova. Forget it.” Leslie lifted the t-shirt over her head. “I’ll swim, but that’s it.”
I waded towards Leonard. “It’s nice in here.”
“Yeah, I bet.”
Leonard caught me, dragging me to him. His heated breath fanned my face, while his hands roamed over my body, squeezing my breasts and pinching my nipples. Slinky waves of arousal created pleasurable tingles in my belly. He knew exactly where to touch me to set off an internal firestorm. A firm, thick finger slid over my pussy.
“Oh, Leonard.”
“Gggrrrr…”
The only source of light was the moon overhead, which gave off a soft glow, but it was hardly efficient. Shrouded in darkness, crickets and other strange noises came from the surrounding trees.
The dull, thudding resonance of drums echoed in the distance. It was a nearly perfect night, with stars twinkling between the branches. Being with Leonard like this was why I longed for the woods whenever I went home.
Leslie waded past Harry, but he grabbed her, snatching her in his arms. “Stop!” She struggled for a moment,
