Page 21 of Deep Fake

“How about that one? I watch a lot of shifter movies but I haven’t seen that one. It’s new.” I pointed to the movie on the screen.

Rig turned to me, paler than I’d ever seen him. Mouth open wide.

“What?” I asked.

“You like shifter movies?”

“Yes? Don’t you?”

His gaze bounced to the screen and then back to me. “Yes, but I like them because I think it’s funny they get a lot of things wrong.”

“Oh?” I laughed. “And you’re an expert?” It felt good to joke and flirt with him. No talk about stalkers or online predators and the what-ifs for once.

“I’m not an expert, but I am a shifter.”

I stilled but in a shocked way. The admission from Rig didn’t scare me. I was surprised. “You are?”

“You’re not running for your life.”

“Should I?” I scooted closer. This was a special moment. Rig didn’t share personal information with just anyone.

He let out a laugh. “No. You’ll never be in danger from me, but also my shifter animal is…”

“Is what?” I sat up straighter, excited about what he was. A bear? A lion? A panther? Something big and fierce and mean, maybe?

“Small. Cute? A house pet for some.”

Okay, not a bear.

The next words tumbled out of my mouth before I could think twice or better of them. “Can you show me?”

“You’ve seen him before, actually. But I’m no raccoon, Malone.”

I gasped. Was he kidding me? “That was you? By the alley? Then you… I thought I was crazy. Wait, not a raccoon?”

Rig leaned forward and kissed my forehead while chuckling. I moaned at the small amount of contact. “You are so responsive to touch, baby. How long has it been since someone took care of you?” He cupped my face and pressed a long kiss to my lips. “You seem…”

“What?” I breathed.

“Touch starved. Eager. Needy.” He kissed me again. “So damned needy.”

I was. My body swayed into the contact, wishing for more. Whatever he would give me.

But I pulled back. “Are you changing the subject? I want to see this raccoon.”

Rig snorted, shaking his head. “Okay, okay. But not raccoon. Ferret. I’m a ferret shifter.”

While I watched with rapt attention, Rig stood and removed his clothes, winking at me before he took off his boxers. His body was firm and taut in all the right places, and I hungered to feel his skin next to mine.

I looked between his legs and licked my lips. The man was well-endowed. But I only got a glance before his shape shifted, and where once stood a man, a tiny ferret bounced in place.

“Hey!” I slipped down from the sofa and onto the floor. “Look at you. We’ve met before, haven’t we, cutie pie?”

The ferret was shy at first but then ran into my arms and burrowed his head in, getting comfortable.

His fur was soft and warm, and he looked up at me with those eyes, instantly melting my heart.

“I know nothing about ferrets, Rig. You’ll have to teach me.” I petted his fur, and the little guy purred under my caresses. “While you’re in this form and there’s less brooding and grumpiness, I wanted to thank you. You’ve done so much for me already, and tonight you probably saved my life. I might not be able to ever repay you, but I appreciate all of this.”