Page 80 of Dancing for the Minotaur

“Don't say anything.”

He shrugged.

“I said nothing.”

“You were thinking it,” she accused.

“Perhaps.”

She narrowed her eyes.

“You know, I liked you better when you were all serious and intimidating.”

“That is untrue,” Taurex said, smiling.

“Well…yes, it is,” Terra admitted.

He laughed softly and squeezed her hand again.

“Don’t worry, lovely one–you don’t have to be concerned about the ‘large’ parts of me. I would never take advantage.”

Terra found herself blushing again, which was so unlike her. After her time stripping, she’d thought that she had used up all her embarrassment as well as all her modesty. But being with the big Monstrum made her feel younger somehow–almost innocent. Maybe it was because he never alluded to her time stripping or thought less of her for doing what she had to in order to survive.

Whatever the reason, she liked how she felt with him and more and more, she was wishing he was more than just her boss, she admitted to herself.

They reached the edge of the Market where the enormous wole tracks wound back through the forest. Another of the giant centipede-like animals was already waiting, happily chewing on its pastel hay ball while passengers climbed aboard.

Terra eyed it warily.

“Okay–so another ride on the giant centipede,” she muttered.

Taurex frowned.

“Are you afraid?”

She lifted her chin.

“No.”

“You appear concerned,” he said, giving her a worried look.

“I’m just…preparing myself psychologically,” Terra told him.

He raised his eyebrows.

“For a two-minute ride?”

Terra put her free hand on her hip.

“Hey–that thing goes faster than Space Mountain!”

He shook his head.

“I do not know what ‘Space Mountain’ is.”

Terra laughed, some of the tension broken.

“That’s another cultural experience I’ll have to introduce you to. Though I don’t know–you might be too tall to ride it. They don’t build roller coasters for Monstrum sized riders–at least, not at Disney World.”