Taber

A Total-E-Bound Publication

www.total-e-bound.com

Taber

ISBN # 978-1-78184-126-6

©Copyright Taige Crenshaw and Aliyah Burke 2012

Cover Art by Posh Gosh ©Copyright October 2012

Edited by Rebecca Douglas

Total-E-Bound Publishing

This is a work of fiction. All characters, places and events are from the author’s imagination and should not be confused with fact. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, events or places is purely coincidental.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form, whether by printing, photocopying, scanning or otherwise without the written permission of the publisher, Total-E-Bound Publishing.

Applications should be addressed in the first instance, in writing, to Total-E-Bound Publishing. Unauthorised or restricted acts in relation to this publication may result in civil proceedings and/or criminal prosecution.

The author and illustrator have asserted their respective rights under the Copyright Designs and Patents Acts 1988 (as amended) to be identified as the author of this book and illustrator of the artwork.

Published in 2012 by Total-E-Bound Publishing, Think Tank, Ruston Way, Lincoln, LN6 7FL, United Kingdom.

Warning:

This book contains sexually explicit content which is only suitable for mature readers. This story has a
heat rating
of
Total-e-burning
and a
sexometer
of
2.

This story contains 77 pages, additionally there is also a
free excerpt
at the end of the book containing 9 pages.

Kemet Uncovered

TABER

Taige Crenshaw and Aliyah Burke

Book Five in the Kemet Uncovered Series

I am a traveller who enjoys finding new exciting places to explore. I have no real home to call my own and have never longed for a place to rest. At least until I met the woman who sets my senses on fire.

Lainey Mercer is stubborn, hard to get close to and passionate. She is all that I never realised that I wanted. She has made this god wonder what could be possible with a woman by your side who matches you in every way. I now long to put down roots and for us to create a home together. Live from now to the rest of eternity and beyond, side by side. But my Lainey is a woman who will not give in…she will bring me to my knees and then rebuild me into a better god who has found the woman he loves.

Taber

Taige Crenshaw’s Dedication

To everyone who makes the world a better place, thanks for everything you do and sacrifices you make.

Aliyah Burke’s Dedication

Thanks to all those who sacrifice so much for so little recognition.

Trademarks Acknowledgement

The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of the following wordmark mentioned in this work of fiction:

Jeep: Chrysler Group, LLC

Chapter One

The roar of the plane engines changed, signalling they were about to land. Lainey Mercer shifted on the seat, holding onto the straps keeping her in as the cargo plane descended to their new home.

“We’re almost there, Kali.” Lainey glanced towards the back of the plane.

Although she knew the Eurasian lynx was sedated, as well as too far away to hear her, she felt better saying it. She breathed out. The last few weeks had been a rollercoaster getting herself and Kali ready for this trip. She didn’t care about herself, but after the sanctuary she’d worked for had lost funding and had had to close, they’d had a hell of a time placing the animals. Kali was the last one—they’d especially struggled to find a new home for her. At first when she hadn’t been able to place the cat, it had hurt her she would have been parted from the lynx she’d raised from birth. For a while there, Lainey had thought she wouldn’t find anywhere for Kali to go. Thankfully, she had found her a place. Not only that but she was going with her.

“I hope this is the right thing for both of us.” Lainey spoke aloud again.

She was used to talking with the animals she worked with, but she’d always favoured Kali’s company. The lynx was usually silent around her, but Lainey could tell she understood what she said. At least, that’s what she liked to believe. Lainey pushed away any doubts—this was the right place for them to be. They would be settled in no time and get into a new routine.

Except I’ll be in charge of it all.
Excitement filled Lainey at the thought. She would be the one calling the shots for what happened with the animals and everything else. It was one of the big draws to the new job and why she’d accepted—it had brought her and Kali here to New Mexico. Everyone who worked with rescuing animals knew of EASAWR—Ellis Animal Sanctuaries and Wildlife Reserve. They were the biggest and best funded organisation—the dream job most people in her field wanted to get. The EASAWR was very hard to get a job with—they had a stringent screening process, yet she had managed to get a foot in the door through a friend.

She’d used this advantage to apply for a job to work with the animals. She hadn’t thought she’d have a chance and had been shocked when she’d not only got a job, but had had an offer for one she hadn’t gone after. Just because they’d offered her the opportunity to be in charge didn’t mean she was just going to accept it, though. She’d told them what she wanted to make her even consider the job. They had met all her criteria and her generous salary request. What she’d heard was true—Taber Ellis had funds and used them make sure his reserve was well run. The cargo plane they were on was an example—she’d been told that it was owned by the Ellis Animal Sanctuaries and Wildlife Reserve. The plane was covered with the logo of the organisation and was very well equipped for the animals’ comfort. It could hold many animals and transport them where they needed to be taken. Today it was only her and the lynx. They had offered to fly her in on a private jet—also owned by Ellis—but she had turned them down, wanting to come with Kali.

“Lainey, you can deplane now,” a voice said.

Lainey saw Sean Caan—who had met her and Kali at the previous sanctuary she worked at—standing before her. He looked amused.

“Thanks, Sean, but I can help you unload Kali.” She unbuckled the belts and stood.

“Someone is waiting for you outside.” Sean turned, then made his way back towards the animal.

Lainey wasn’t sure who could possibly be waiting on her. She lifted her backpack and headed the way Sean had gone. The hatch had already been lowered. She knelt next to the cage that held the cat. Lainey was pleased to note she was still sedated. She reached in the cage and touched her as she never would have dared if Kali had been awake. Her bright, reddish-brown coat, marked with black spots, was soft and lush. On her ears were black tufts of hair, under her neck and chin was white, while on her forehead and back there were dark brown stripes. The short, bobbed tail was the same colour as her coat, except for the all-black tip.

“She made the trip fine,” Sean stated.

She glanced at him standing in front of the cage.

“Yes, she did. I want to get her to her new habitat and settled.” Lainey stood, hefting her backpack in one hand.

“She’ll be there in a few minutes.”

Lainey patted him on the shoulder as she passed him. During the long flight she had got to know Sean better. He hadn’t been intimidated by her being his new boss. Sean had filled her in on the various animals they had in residence. She’d heard how much he cared in his voice when he’d described what he did at the sanctuary. That boded well for them getting along, and from what he’d said, the others working at the reserve seemed to have a deep care for the creatures too. Especially Taber Ellis. New Mexico was the newest of his many locations of the EASAWR and Mr Ellis was on site at this location. He had made this his home base. That had made Lainey unsure of taking the job—she’d dealt with bureaucratic red tape from owners of reserves too often. They wanted to be involved but had no actual clue about the day to day running of the reserve. She’d been assured that that would not be an issue here.

Lainey shielded her eyes as she stepped out of the plane. As she lowered her hand, her breath caught when she spotted the man coming towards her. He moved the way she had only seen in wild animals who were about to pounce on prey. A predatory roll of muscles that suggested he could leap and take you down in a moment. In a glance, she took in the stunning specimen of manhood. The man was very tall—she estimated he was at least five inches over her own six feet of height. Her attention was caught by his wild, shaggy curly black hair that flowed to just below the pecs of his muscular chest, which was showcased very well in a tight, pale cream T-shirt. She was a sucker for long hair. A golden chain with an oblong pendent, covered in some kind of symbols, rested against his cloth-covered chest—a chest Lainey was tempted to touch.

Please do not let his face look as good as his body.
Lainey’s breath stalled at the first glimpse of his golden eyes. She studied his onyx-coloured face that was all planes and angles—broad forehead, high cheeks, full nose, firm chin and full lips. He wasn’t just good-looking—he was devastatingly gorgeous. The entire package of the man made him compelling. As he neared her, she became intensely aware of his presence—he had an aura of mystique that called to her even though they’d never met. Some innate instinct made her feel that he was as wild and untamed as his hair and walk. His movements had a sense of strength and somehow she knew he wouldn’t be gentle. He’d be firm and slightly rough in taking what he wanted.

If he is here, he works for you.
At the thought Lainey snapped out of her daze of lust.

The man reached her and nodded his head, then went past her. Lainey turned, frowning at his back. She had wanted to hear his voice. She imagined it was deep.

“Lainey,” a familiar voice called.

Lainey turned and spotted the woman then, smiling, hurried over to where she was standing. Lainey dropped her backpack and hugged her.

“Candace, it’s so good to see you. What are you doing here—shouldn’t you be at work?” She released her and stood back.

“I’m going right back. Just came to take you to the reserve. I know you’ll be busy settling in and won’t have time to socialise with me for a few days. I couldn’t wait to see you until then,” Candace Jermaine replied, ruffling her sassy, short hairstyle.

Lainey noted it showcased her face. Candace looked very happy.

“Sorry but I’m riding along with Kali. I want to make sure she’s okay.”

“Ummm… She’s gone already,” Candace said.

“What?” Lainey glanced back to the plane.

Taber Ellis glanced out of the back of the truck as it drove away from the two women. He was glad he was alone with the lynx. He turned and placed his hand on the cage. He could read the thoughts of the lynx—a beautiful Eurasian—although it slept. It had lived a fascinating life. All through its thoughts he could see Lainey. Taber remembered Lainey’s face as she had stepped off the plane—she was enchanting. Her sienna skin was offset by her dark brown hair with red highlights, which she had pulled into a ponytail that fell to mid-back. Her eyes were intense—a sultry dark brown surrounded by full lashes. Her features came together in a mix that was captivating—broad forehead, full cheeks and nose. Her full lips were bare of lipstick just as her face had been of makeup. Her casual dark grey T-shirt and three-quarter length black cargo pants hugged her lush curves. The Lainey Mercer that was on paper—and he had seen in her photograph—in no way matched the woman he had met. The real one was sexier.