The Ape King

So Kiss Me

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Penny woke in the middle of the night with a start. She was sure that she'd still be leaning against the wall but to her surprise she was tucked under one of Zane's arms and against his chest. There was a low burning fire close enough that she felt warm but not hot. She sat up and noticed that Zane was laying on many leaves and soft vegetation. Her focus shifted to him.

His eyes were closed and his breathing was deep and even. Lips slightly parted. She had a strong feeling in her gut that they would encounter her friends and others from the plane, which was great...but that meant no more time spent with Zane alone. Then again that was in her best interest to stay away. It would only be a matter of time before she gave in to her feelings and that might not end in the best interest of either of them. Her time in this place was numbered and she felt torn.

On one hand she wanted nothing more than to go home, and on the other hand she never wanted to leave being with just Zane. He was an exquisite being. She reached out slowly and caressed his face. He sighed in his sleep. She needed to put some distance between them to help restrain herself. She got up and placed some of the bedding between them and laid back down. She immediately felt the loss of his body heat but closed her eyes and tried to fall back asleep.

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She woke hearing Zane communicating with the gorilla Raza. She sat up and rubbed her eyes then yawned and stretched. She looked around to see that she was in the make-shift bed alone. She looked up to see Zane outside crouched like a gorilla with Raza. She rose and went over to them carefully. Zane turned at her approach and gave her a look that made her heart skip a beat. He stood and beckoned her over.

"How far from them are we?" She asked.

Zane motioned behind him. "Raza says three moons, so that means three days. Are you ready?"

She nodded and approached as he turned and crouched. She tried her best to grab onto him without being pressed into him too much. He followed Raza through the jungle.

They traveled for a few hours then stopped to rest at a river. Penny crouched to drink water. Her stomach groaned as hunger pains assaulted her. She felt a hand on her shoulder and she stood.

"I would like to talk to you about what happened yesterday at the waterfall but first I need to find you food." He spoke softly as they gazed at each other.

She felt entranced by his bright eyes. The more she looked into them, the more she felt like she was falling. She held her breath as he leaned down. How badly she wanted to let herself show affection toward him. But it wouldn't be fair to him or herself. He deserved to choose. She took a step back and crossed her arms.

"I'll be ok. Let's keep going. We'll talk after we find them." She sighed as she went to move past him.

He grabbed her arm to stop her.

"No. I need to find you food. Then we will talk when I will return." He spoke in a firm tone.

She opened her mouth to let him know she was fine again but he disappeared into the jungle. She frowned and moved to sit on a rock by Raza. Raza was looking at her curiously and tried to hoot at her. She shrugged at him.

"Sorry, I don't speak ape."

He blew a raspberry at her and turned his back to her. She wasn't sure if she should laugh or be insulted but she chose to keep quiet. She closed her eyes for a moment and took in all the sounds. Birds, the river, and other animals calling. She opened her eyes to Zane swinging down with one arm holding fruits.