Page 152 of Beasts of Mine

“What?” Tavian asked as he tipped his head back and searched the branches, his brows drawing together when the hidden animal remained out of sight.

“The capuchin says you smell happy.” I told Tavian as I lowered the camera slightly, looking up toward the leaves while he stopped beside me.

“I am.” Tavian answered without the slightest embarrassment, his easy expression proving the animal right.

Very loud happy, the capuchin added from its hidden perch before branches rustled somewhere above us. Tavian’s expression changed so quickly that I started laughing before he even found the animal.

“I can climb.” Tavian warned the capuchin as he pointed toward the shaking leaves, mock-threat entering his voice while my camera bag remained securely across his shoulder. The capuchin vanished in a violent rustle of vegetation without bothering to answer, sending several leaves fluttering toward the forest floor.

“You threatened a monkey.” I told Tavian as we started walking again, still laughing while I stepped carefully over a root crossing the trail.

“I informed it of relevant information.” Tavian corrected me as he adjusted my camera bag across his shoulder, looking completely satisfied with the distinction.

“The relevant information being that you can chase it up a tree?” I asked Tavian while glancing toward the canopy where the capuchin had disappeared.

“It understood.” Tavian replied with a decisive nod before continuing along the trail, apparently considering the matter settled.

We reached the eastern fork a little after five. Tavian had been keeping track of our pace for most of the return, checking the time whenever we passed a landmark he recognized without trying to hurry me over rough ground. From there, the route toward the station became more familiar, and I knew we had enough time even with the slower sections ahead.

“We’re good.” Tavian glanced toward my watch as we moved onto the familiar trail, then looked through the trees in the direction of the station. “You’ll make six without having to rush.”

I turned toward him, unable to hide the smile that appeared when I realized he had been keeping track almost as closely as I had.

“What?” Tavian asked when he caught me watching him, adjusting my camera bag across his shoulder.

“You calculated it.” I told Tavian, nodding toward the watch he had just checked.

“I said I understood.” Tavian replied, a hint of defensiveness entering his voice as though he thought I might still doubt whether he had listened earlier.

“You did.” I answered Tavian softly, and his shoulders loosened as we continued along the trail. He stayed with me until the forest began giving way to the area more regularly used by station staff. By then my watch read five forty-seven, leaving me ten minutes for a stretch I could comfortably cover in less than that. Tavian stopped beneath the trees and lifted the camera strap from his shoulder before handing the bag back to me.

“Can I?” Tavian asked, glancing toward my cheek while keeping his hands loose at his sides.

“Yes.” I answered Tavian as I angled my head toward him, unable to stop the smile that came with it. Tavian rubbed his cheek once along mine, leaving citrus and warm spice behind before pressing a warm kiss near the corner of my mouth.

“Better.” Tavian murmured as he stepped back, looking entirely satisfied with the extra layer of his scent.

“I have smelled like you for hours.” I reminded Tavian while adjusting my camera bag over my shoulder, breathing in enough citrus to prove my own point.

“Could always use more.” Tavian replied, but he stayed where he was instead of trying again.

“Go.” I told Tavian as I pointed toward the deeper trees and glanced deliberately at my watch before he found another excuse to linger.

“You’re the one with somewhere to be.” Tavian reminded me, matching my glance toward the time before taking another backward step.

“I’m going.” I assured Tavian as I turned toward the station trail and started walking.

“See you later.” Tavian called softly after me, already moving into the vegetation while his scent began fading beneath the heavier smell of the forest.

“See you later.” I promised Tavian without turning around, smiling when his purr followed me for several more steps before the rainforest swallowed the sound.

I reached the station at five fifty-seven. Mara was already sitting at the outdoor table with the field log nearby, a half-empty water bottle beside her papers and one boot hooked around the leg of her chair. She glanced toward the clock before opening the page to my name.

“Three minutes early.” Mara observed as I approached, tapping the end of her pen once against the paper while her gaze moved briefly over me and my equipment.

“I know.” I answered Mara as I set my camera bag beside the table and flexed one shoulder after carrying it through the last stretch of trail.

“Good day?” Mara asked while writing my return time, glancing up from the log as she waited for my answer.