Unexpected Catch

Marceline, April 1893


Chief Slade was exhausted.

The past week had been one for the books. Short staff, tight schedules and to top it all off the all-fired chief engineer, Aleu, wouldn't release the set of engines he so desperately needed. Yearly rebuilds, my tail. He'd come close to marching over there and calling a halt to the rebuild, or snatching up whichever one wasn't half-disassembled already. He'd even thought of asking her to just delay the rebuild on one of them, just for a week, please, but he never seemed to be able to find her without her elbows-deep in some project or other. Wasn't that supposed to be the yard folks' job? 

This morning, he'd been short those engines, short staff, and short one chief engineer. Normally he would have thanked his lucky stars to be rid of the snippy little wolf-dog, but at least he could gripe to her without making a fool of himself in front of the workers. Instead, he'd had to contend himself with the final bits of paperwork and a pot of coffee to finish sorting out the mess that his week had been. Finally lunchtime came, and with things as sorted as they were ever going to be he took an old cane pole from behind his office door and with a quick stop at the station cafe followed the rails out of town. The last sign of the yard he passed was a switching engine coming in, with Copper leaning out the cab as they puffed slowly by.

"Off for the afternoon, eh, Chief?"

Chief grunted.

"Well, it'll sure be quieter around here without you storming around," the hound laughed.

The wolfhound snapped his head over his shoulder and pointed the cane pole at him. "Just you keep your mind on that shovel where it belongs."

Copper smiled and waved, ducking back into the cab.

"I'd better not find my yard a mess when I get back!" Chief shouted after him. 

The engine puffed on, and he turned back and kept walking. 

Spring had come and gone like a vapor, and summer was upon the W&A Railroad. As he strode down the line, feet landing on one tie after the other by muscle memory, the sound of the yard faded behind him. A distant whistle made him pause and glance around. Here the track ran near the river for a ways before crossing it; he could just see it through a copse of trees at the bottom of the embankment. Glancing over his shoulder, he nodded; this would be a fine spot. Out of sight, but still near enough to hear if some disaster befell the yard. He skidded down the embankment and strode through the trees to emerge moments later on the bank of the river. The water ran slow here, and the dirt and mud didn't come up so far, but the sun was high and the breeze was cool in the shade. Chief closed his eyes and let out a deep breath, glancing around for only a few seconds before selecting a grassy spot on a slight rise by the river. Sticking his pole in the soft soil, he turned to set down his lunch pail, only to find a bundled up towel and a basket at the base of the tree.

He spun around, looking this way and that, but saw no one. Had they forgotten their things? Not likely. Suppose there'd been trouble? He was just pondering how quickly he might scramble back up the embankment and look for passersby when something caught his eye out in the river. He breathed a sigh of relief; whoever they were, they were swimming. Of course, now he'd have to go find another spot. Maybe the swimmer was leaving. He'd wait and ask. Though they were taking their own sweet time about it. Did they really not see him? He squinted, shielding his eyes against the sun. There was something familiar about them, though he couldn't place what it was. Maybe it was a trick of the glare off the river. 

The wolfhound set his pail down next to the basket and towel, then glanced up and down the shore for another spot. Nothing but muddy shore and rocks as far as he could see. Whoever they were, this swimmer would just have to make do with company. Feeling the hooks in his vest pocket, Chief strode up to the edge of the little overhang and was about to tie one onto the line when there was a splash in the river. The swimmer was coming closer, making long strokes on their back along the bank. Chief rolled his eyes. Copper would call him an old stick in the mud, but he couldn't help it. Was it too much to ask for a little peace and quiet? Still, the least he could do was let them know to watch out for his line. He put the hook back in his pocket and cupped his paw around his muzzle, but the call died in his mouth when he suddenly recognized the swimmer. Light brown furred arms reached back and over, pulling her along. Lower, her tan furred stomach took in the sun, along with her upturned face. He wasn't sure how, but he knew, just knew, exactly who it was. The thought chased away any chance of a peaceful afternoon.

"Aleu Cherburt, is this where you been sneakin' off to?" he shouted. "Get yourself on down the river and quit spoilin' my view!"

The figure in the river paused their lazy backstroke and shook their head, turning to look his way.

"Don't make like you can't hear me! No wonder I couldn't find you today, you been down here takin' your ease at the river while I busted my butt to put a nice tidy bow on the week." He pointed a finger at the swimmer. "Now I know the schedule and manpower ain't nothing but a hill o' beans to the almighty Chief Engineer, but if you ain't gonna move along then you best get out here and explain yourself."

For a long moment, the two of them stared at each other. Chief puffed through his nose, scowling at her. Aleu, who he could now clearly see as the sun passed behind a cloud, looked back at him with only a raised brow. Then, with a shrug, she started toward him, her shoulders quickly rising out of the water.

Chief smirked, putting his hands on his hips. "Well, I'll be a monkey's uncle, I never would have thought that Miss Aleu would come when she's called. Why, if I didn't know any better I'd say-"

Whatever he was going to say vanished like smoke in the wind. The river was deep in its center, but the bottom came up quickly near the banks. Aleu strode directly toward him, dipping her head to toss her hair over her shoulders. He was no spring chicken, he'd seen ladies in swimsuits plenty of times, even talked a few out of them, but this was hardly a contest. Aleu had no swimsuit on at all. 

The wolf-dog walked with purpose, toned legs and arms encompassing a body used to manual labor. Her entire frame was soaking wet, and her fur plastered to her skin. She'd likely never have the obvious muscles of her male counterparts, but the way she carried herself with confidence made his mouth go dry. And her chest, free from any covering, was astonishing. Beyond her ample endowment, something kept drawing his eyes back to her breasts; he could have sworn a glint of steel was what caught his eye. 

He wanted to shout, tell her off, but all he could do was stand there, mouth agape with a fishing pole in one hand. That wasn't fair. She stepped up onto the small rise without trouble and paused there with her hands on her hips. His eyes couldn't decide where to focus, but he managed to force them to meet her gaze.

"Well, that must be a record," Aleu said with a smirk. "Never got you to shut your mouth that fast."

"You- How- Get yourself back in the water and skedaddle!"

"First you want me out, now you want me in. Are you all right, Chief?"

"No I ain't all right!"

Aleu spread her arms, her tone light. "Well what's the matter? You wanted to talk to me, so here I am."

Chief wasn't looking at her anymore. Instead he turned and snatched up the bundled towel behind him and unfurled it, depositing a red skirt and white shirt on the grass. Aleu sighed, but before she could speak he held the towel out to her, eyes fixed somewhere further down the river.

"I didn't think you were in a state of nature," he grumbled, somewhat subdued. "I wouldn't've made you come out that way if I'd known. Here."

Aleu cocked her head, but made no move for the towel. "I'm not ashamed. This is who I am."

He tried a different tack. "Nor should you be, but would you cover yourself, please?"

At this, she chuckled. "I don't believe you ever asked me to do anything with a please before, Chief."

"Well, don't get used to it," he snapped, shaking the towel at her.

"I'm not taking that."

There was a long pause as Chief stared off down the river, hand outstretched toward her. Aleu stood with her hands on her hips, waiting. Finally, he spoke aside to her. "You really ain't gonna put this on?"

"Why bother getting the towel all wet? I'll just be getting back in the water."

"Then why ain't you done that either?"

"Because we're talking. Papa told me it was rude to walk away when someone's talking with you."

Chief turned to face her, his eyes fixed on hers. "Then I'm done talkin' to you, now go on."

She held out a hand, and he could swear she was fighting a laugh. "But I'm not done talking to you."

He rolled his eyes. "I don't think this is what your old man had in mind." Spreading the towel on the ground, he took a seat at its edge by the tree. Seeing the discarded garments, he set his pole aside,  rolled them up as best he could, and set them on the basket, the whole time never looking her way. "Did he tell you it was rude to stand around buck naked where everybody can see you?"

"Not everybody, just you, and I figure it's only rude if whoever sees it doesn't enjoy it."

Chief flailed his arms around, eyes wild. "Which I told you, asked you, to cover up."

"But at least one part of you is definitely enjoying this."

He cast a horrified glance down at his lap, and Aleu laughed.

"Ha! Made you look."

The scary thing was, Chief could tell she was half-right. Boss' daughter or not, he wasn't immune to the charm of a naked lady. Seeing Aleu's smirk, he snorted out a breath and scowled. Maybe charm wasn't the right word.

"Well, if ya ain't gonna cover yourself or get back in the water, will ya at least sit down so maybe folk won't see you from the bridge?" Chief looked over his shoulder, but honestly couldn't see much for all the leaves. Turning back he began to unwind the line from around his fishing pole. Anything to keep his eyes off her.

"Oh, fine, if you're so worried I'll sit here."

He expected her to plop down where she stood, or find a cool spot in the shade. He did not expect her to stride up between his legs, gently nudge his fishing pole aside with her tail and nestle her rump against his hips. 

"This way, you can shield me from the oh-so-many passers by."

Chief threw his arms to the side and leaned back like she was waving a hot poker in his face. He wanted to scramble away, but his back was against the tree, and for some reason the desire to flee faded quickly, leaving his customary frustration. "I see you ain't shy about getting my clothes wet."

"Shouldn't have worn them to the river," she replied cheerily, glancing back at him. "Besides, you can always take them off and let them dry in the breeze."

"If you're looking for a peep show, I hear there's places downtown that can take care of that for you."

Aleu tilted her head. "And how do you hear of such places, Chief?"

The wolfhound huffed, jamming his fishing pole into the dirt just inside arm's reach.

"Aren't you going to fish?"

"I was until a smart little pup decided to plop herself in my lap."

"And a naked one at that." She made a show of stretching her arms over her head and leaned back against his chest. 

Chief sputtered something and took her by the shoulders, easing her up off him.

"Ooh, I didn't expect a massage."

"Well, you ain't gettin' one." He gave her a light shove forward. "Now ease off."

Aleu glanced over her shoulder with a grin. "Why Chief, are you getting uncomfortable?" She punctuated her question by wiggling her hips against his. 

Chief grit his teeth and hissed. "No, blast it all, I'm getting wet! I wasn't plannin' on swimmin' at all today." She turned away and made to lean back again, but he stopped her with one hand as the other undid the buttons on his vest. "Dang it woman, just wait a minute." She leaned forward, looking back at him with a smile. "If you ain't gonna leave me be, I'm gonna at least save my shirt."

With a little difficulty, he hauled off his vest and button-up shirt and set them on his lunch pail. Putting his back against the tree, he waved a hand over himself.

"Go on, take your ease. Since you won't leave me be I suppose it's all I'm good for."

"I wouldn't say that, but if you insist." She laid back against him, shuffling up until her head was just below his chin. He stiffened, but said nothing. "You feel pretty tense for someone who's supposed to be relaxing."

He rolled his eyes. "Gee, I wonder why that might be." Aleu hummed to herself, and he swore he could hear her smile. Little scheming pup. "Can't you just lay off?"

She acted as though she hadn't heard his last question. "I bet sitting in wet pants isn't helping." She worked her hips back and forth against his, and he couldn't quite stifle a noise somewhere between a grunt and a yelp.

"Dagnabit, quit that," he fumed. "It ain't proper."

She half-turned to look at him, placing a hand on his chest. It took everything he had not to look at hers. "Do you think I'd have walked right up to you if I cared about what was proper?"

Chief pushed her hand away, stealing a glance at her breasts. Both nipples were pierced with a small silver hoop. "I figure you'd do just about anything to get a rise outta me. I'm just waitin' for the other shoe to drop."

"I'm not wearing shoes."

Chief threw up his hands. "You know what I mean!"

She settled back against him, shifting side to side like he was her favorite mattress. "You do have a very comfortable chest, Chief. I might have to use it more often."

"Glad to be of service," he rumbled, dripping sarcasm. He sighed, speaking lower, almost to himself. "Why I ever played along with this is beyond me."

"Well, if you're looking for revenge, I'm right here." She spoke so casually, he was sure she was joking until she continued. "And I can feel at least one part of you that doesn't mind this at all."

His voice was low as well, lacking the fire of earlier. "Can't blame a man for getting excited."

"No, of course not," she replied. "But I can blame a man for not doing something about it."

Chief balked. "You already made clear you ain't gonna leave me be."

Aleu leaned up and looked back at him with a broad grin. "So what are you going to do about it?"

He set his jaw. "Can't say."

"Oh come on," she murmured, putting a hand on his thigh. "Use your imagination."

Chief just stared at her, brow furrowed.

With a sigh, she laid back against him. "But I guess you left that at the yard. Too bad." She'd just closed her eyes when his hands came to rest on her shoulders with a light squeeze. "Ooh, change your mind about that massage?"

He leaned down and whispered in her ear. "Not quite."

Something in his voice made her ears perk up, and she opened her eyes. His hands slipped off her shoulders and under her arms, lifting her and hauling her back tight against him. He rested his chin on her head, and she could feel him grin as he reached under her arms to take her bare breasts in both hands.

"I told you I couldn't say what I'd do," he rumbled, nipping at her ear. "Never said I didn't have any ideas."

Aleu bit her lip as his fingers brushed against her nipple piercings. "Mmm, based on where you're starting, I might even like your ideas for once."

He traced both hands up to her nipples and gave them a small pinch. Aleu arched her back, her whispered cry music to his ears. "A bit touchy, aren't ya?" he chuckled, trailing one hand down to rub circles in her short belly fur. "A mite strange for a young lady who comes striding out of the water naked as the day she was born."

"Says the man who can't bear to shed his wet pants despite a raging er- ah, AH!"

He'd bared his teeth and brushed them against her neck, not even clenching his jaw. In response, Aleu had quivered and become like putty in his hands.

"Like a little fang, do ya? Well, we can manage that." He nudged his muzzle under hers, poking at her jaw and neck with his canines while his hands roamed up and down her body, squeezing and caressing. 

Aleu hummed happily, bracing herself by grabbing onto his thighs.

"So," Chief began, gently nuzzling the space between Aleu's ears, "am I gonna see those two freight hogs before the week is out, or are you gonna louse up my plans?"

Aleu cocked her muzzle. "The Calhoun and the Wadley?" She crossed her legs and rocked her hips against the wolfhoud's crotch, leaning back into his torso. 

"The very same." He nipped at her right ear. 

"Just pulled the compressor off the Calhoun and the boiler jacket is off the Wadley." He stopped nuzzling her ears. "So I would say you won't see them 'till the end of the month."

"End of the month!" Chief reared a hand back and slapped Aleu's hip. 

She yelped and shivered in his grasp, fingers digging into his thighs. With a shaky exhale, she whispered, "Do that again."

Shock number one, he'd just slapped the GM's daughter - the GM's naked daughter. His gaze shifted down to her right hip, where an angry red mark was beginning to show under her fur. No dream, he'd done it. Shock number two, she wanted him to do it again. Aleu's tail suddenly thumped against his chest, and she rocked her hips back and forth against his. He hissed and grit his teeth. She looked back over her shoulder and ran one hand up his thigh to his waist.

"Do that again," she repeated, her voice low as she rubbed her hand against the bulge in his pants. "That is, if you want to give me a taste of anything else you have to offer."

Chief bucked his hips and she rolled over onto his waiting left arm. With his right, he reached back and slapped her again, this time on her rump. Aleu yelped, tongue lolling from her muzzle and eyes closed. Hauling her back over to lay against his chest, he wrapped one arm across her bosom as the other trailed down her stomach to cup her wet mound in his palm. She moaned, bucking her hips against his hand. 

"Guess I'm not the only one gettin' excited," he growled. "Lookin' for a little bit more, missy?"

"Only if you quit beating around the bush and ju- Ah!"

Before she could finish her sentence, he began rolling his hand like a wave, dipping two fingers into her depths before easing out and grinding the palm of his hand against her nub. Aleu nearly melted into his hands for a few seconds, then she gripped his legs tighter and began thrusting against his hand. All the while, she craned her head back against his shoulder, looking sidelong at him. He kept his eyes down, seemingly fixed on where their hips met. She panted, soft exultations escaping her lips as she strained to nip at his muzzle, but only managed the tip of his ear. Still, he grit his teeth as she tugged playfully on his ear, pressing his fingers deeper into her sacredness while his other hand squeezed her breast. When he hooked one of his fingers in the hoop piercing and gave a little tug. Aleu arched her back, releasing his ear and yelping his name.

For a moment, he froze, but before he could say a word she bucked against his hand, grinding against his palm. A low whine slipped from her muzzle and she squeezed his thighs in both hands.

"Don't you dare stop," she moaned, nipping at his ear again. "Come on, Chief, you want to feel me cum, don't you? Want to feel this wolf cunny squeeze your fingers?" She lowered her voice, still rocking her hips against his hand. "Or maybe something else of yours?"

Chief gave a low growl, stopping the wavelike movement of his palm in favor of plunging two fingers into her depths, meeting her thrusting hips with ever-increasing fervor. Aleu's panting breaths came faster and faster, melting into moans that rose and fell as his fingers thrust in and pulled out. Finally she seemed to throw her whole body against him as she shuddered and moaned through gritted teeth. Her tunnel clenched around his fingers and he grinned as her love juices soaked his hand. She collapsed back against him, panting as her grip on his thighs loosened. He huffed through his nose and nudged her cheek, his arms wrapped across her bosom and stomach. 

"Not bad," Aleu said with a soft chuckle. "Wasn't sure what you had up your sleeve."

"Don't act so surprised," he growled around a grin. "You think because I'm old and ornery I forgot how to do this?"

"Well, you're already acting more agreeable than you've ever done around me, so maybe it's just been a while since you had this kind of fun." She squirmed a bit in his grasp and he gave a low growl. "Speaking of which, your excitement's poking me in the back." She glanced aside at him and reached up to give him a little scratch under his chin. "Are you sure you won't join me for a swim? It's a bit hot today."

He jerked his chin away from her hand, but raised his brow. "Will you get out of my lap if I agree?"

"Careful, big guy, a lady might think you don't enjoy her company with quips like that."

"Good thing there ain't no ladies around, then," he rumbled, giving her breast a squeeze. "C'mon, up you get."

Aleu moaned softly at his touch and sighed, heaving herself up before turning to look at him. "Well, that is a shame." His pants were soaked from his belt to his knees. "Still, they might be dry in an hour or so if you catch the sun. Of course, that means you'd have to face your fear of skinny-dipping."

Chief's expression clouded and he clambered to his feet. "It's one thing for a gal to saunter up here in a state of nature, and another thing entirely for me to do the same. Already ain't decent, and I ain't gonna make it worse."

Aleu rolled her eyes. "Sure, because it's so much less scandalous for a naked gal to be in a guy's lap if he's got his pants on."

"That's how it works in those fancy gentleman's clubs." At a quizzical look from Aleu, he added. "At least, that's what I hear."

She peered at him for a moment, a smile slowly crossing her face. "Right…" With two steps, she closed the gap between them. Again, he was backed against the tree. Why did he keep letting her do that? "Oh come on, Chief, afraid I'll bite?" He didn't reply, but she saw his ears perk up. "So by these gentleman's club rules, you can't take your pants off, even around a naked lady?"

"Especially not around a naked lady."

"Even though we're not in a gentleman's club?"

Chief blinked, not quite sure what it was in her eyes that made him hold his tongue.

Her hands came up and traced down his bare chest to the front of his trousers. "What if the lady takes them off for you?"

His ears shot back and his muzzle became a thin line. "I uh, suppose that would mean she's interested." He slipped his hands over hers, not quite pushing them away, as he lowered his voice. "But it wouldn't happen."

"It's about to," she murmured, bumping the underside of his muzzle with her nose, "unless you tell me to stop." One hand undid his belt as the other fingered the button on his trousers. "What do you say, Chief?"

The wolfhound visibly gulped and glanced around.

"How long has it been?" Aleu traced her free hand along the bulge in his trousers.

"That don't matter," he said, voice dropping as he looked around. "I can't hardly believe this, I must be havin' a fever dream." His gaze settled on her again, and he spoke in a whisper. "You really shouldn't..."

"At this point I consider it a public service," she said with a soft laugh, sinking to her knees in front of him. 

Her tongue poked out to wet her lips as she undid the button on his trousers. Hooking both thumbs inside his waistband, she pulled trousers and undergarments down to his ankles. Almost immediately, she jerked back as his throbbing member sprang up and nearly hit her nose. She gave a small exhale as she wrapped one hand around it, causing the wolfhound to press his back against the tree. There was the smell of smoke and dirt that came with the railroad, but overpowering it all was a scent she didn't quite recognize. Something teased at the back of her mind, but she shrugged it off. When she glanced up at him, he was looking down at her with wide eyes and perked ears. With a grin, she leaned forward and let his tip part her lips as her tongue licked around his shaft, never breaking eye contact. Chief groaned, his eyes drifting closed as his feet shifted a bit further apart. Humming softly, she ducked down and ran her tongue along the underside of his shaft, pausing only to kiss his tip before opening her maw to engulf his entire length. 

"Hoh," Chief exhaled, his words still carrying an edge despite his quieter tone. "Easy there, I ain't a sweet at the fair."

Aleu quivered around his shaft and drew back to chuckle as she took a breath. "No, you're not nearly as tasty. Lucky for you that's not all I care about." 

Before he had a chance to reply, she took his length into her muzzle again and began bobbing her head. He grunted and watched her with an expression somewhere between awe and frustration, his fingers curling against the tree. Her tongue traced along the underside of his shaft, coaxing a bit of pre-cum out. She drew back, let his tip rest on the edge of her tongue, and looked up at him with lidded eyes and as broad a smile as he figured she could manage. He felt his claws dig into the tree bark as his shaft quivered. 

"Gah, quit teasing woman, you're killing me." She had no right looking as good as she did just then.

Aleu wrapped her lips around his tip and pulled off with a smack. "Mmm, not fast enough, I guess." She licked her lips and put her hands on her knees, her muzzle nearly touching his shaft. "If you're so keen for me to hurry up, why not put those big hands to work and make me?"

For a moment, he almost didn't do it, but when she flashed him a grin he swore he could hear her chuckle under her breath. That was all it took. Shifting his legs into a wider stance, he drew in his claws and reached out to cup her face in his hands. Quickly, but gently, he pulled her toward his shaft, where her muzzle opened to engulf him. He winced, bracing for the brush of fangs but it never came, even when her nose finally bumped against his waist. The whole time, she'd been looking right up at him, never flinching or grimacing. He let out a small groan, and she sucked on his length, her cheeks going hollow for a moment before she gave a small muffled noise that might have been a laugh. Gritting his teeth over a grin, he shook his head in disbelief as she kept staring right back at him.

"You sure now?"

She nodded.

"All right then."

Chief slipped his hands up to the sides of her head, his thumbs wrapped around her ears but not gripping them. He knew how sensitive they could be. Gently, he eased her back until just the tip was still in her muzzle. When he didn't make another move right away, she lashed out her tongue and swirled it around what she could reach of his shaft. Groaning, he pulled her to him again, not quite as slow this time, and he felt as much as heard the little squeak she made when her nose bumped his waist this time. Grin widening, he pulled her back, then down again. Again came that adorable needy noise, louder this time. He felt the fur on the back of his neck spike up, and looked into her eyes as he matched her grin. She moved a bit closer, eyes never leaving his as she whimpered and moaned around his shaft. Slowly he worked up a rhythm, drawing her toward him, then guiding her away, then back again. Even as he gloried in the feel of her mouth around his member, he noticed that she was bobbing forward and back enough that he barely needed to touch her, never mind move her either way. Almost as soon as the thought crossed his mind, she rolled her head side to side as she dipped forward and back again, humming as her tongue traced along his length. Public service indeed. He huffed, fighting the urge to grab her ears and leaning back against the tree.

"Getting close," he rumbled. 

When her hands closed over his, he shuddered and his gaze snapped back down to her. Aleu appeared to pay him no mind, merely pressing his hands against her head before letting her own drift down his arms to rest on his waist. Then she practically yanked herself forward, burying her nose in his pelvic fur for a moment before drawing back and doing it again. He nearly lost it right then, but he grit his teeth and focused on her eyes. All throughout, she'd been watching him. Even when he got lost in the pleasure of it, when he looked back she was watching him. Why?

Aleu didn't give him time to wonder. Even as he sucked in quick breaths through his nose, she began to rock her whole body back and forth, moaning around his shaft. He grimaced, fighting every feral urge to grab those pretty ears and pull her against him. By the look in her eyes, he figured she could tell, but he didn't expect her to do it herself. Just as he was about to peak, she lunged forward, pressing her nose against his stomach and quivering as his shaft hit the back of her throat. He might still have held back, except her hands reached around to grab his back, just above the tail, and yanked him forward. The stifled yelp she made was the last straw. With a snarl, he hunched forward and held her tight as his hips jerked against her muzzle. Pressed so close together, the only result was a soft, gurgled cry from Aleu at each pulse of his shaft. Chief huffed and made to draw Aleu back off his member, but her grip suddenly tightened on his back and he looked down in surprise. She was still looking at him, though her eyes were nearly closed, and he watched as she gulped loudly. A soft hiss escaped his lips as he felt her tongue trace around his shaft, and she gulped again. Only then did she release her hold on him and draw back, her lips sliding off his tip with a wet smack.

"How was that?" Her raised brow and toothy grin told him she already knew the answer. "As good as you last at least?"

"Damned if I even remember my last," he chuckled softly. "Especially after that."

"You're not trying to butter me up, are you?"

"I suppose that depends," he replied, crouching down to grab his undergarments and trousers, still bunched around his ankles, "on whether you'll let me get back to fishing."

Aleu swatted his hands away from his trousers and wagged her finger. "Uh-uh, I didn't say we were done yet. Stand up."

His frown returned but he stood, arms crossed. "And who died and made you queen? I came her to spend a quiet afternoon by myself, and somehow you've managed to worm your way into even that."

She grinned up at him. "I wasn't the one hollering for a confrontation from the bank. If anything, you interrupted me. Consider this your penance." She bent forward and helped him step out of one, then the other leg of his trousers. "Besides, nobody likes putting wet clothes back on."

Chief's ears laid back. How had she just done that? What was the matter with him? "I already said sorry for that." 

Aleu tossed her head back and forth with an impish smile. "Well, I haven't accepted your apology yet. The fish will still be there later." He opened his mouth to protest, but she reached up to gently heft his sack. "Or are you telling me you've gone soft in your old age. Not good for more than one round, hmm?"

His eyes narrowed, but he matched her grin. "Is that all it takes to get those young bucks to jump? A little jab at their pride? I ain't some tenderfoot you cornered."

"No, you're not. Papa did say I ought to speak to my elders with more respect." Chief snorted, but Aleu paid him no mind, clambering to her feet and slinging his trousers over a low-hanging branch. "Good thing he isn't here."

At that, the wolfhound's tone turned serious. "Your old man would lose his mind if he found out about this."

Aleu put her hands on her hips and turned up her nose. "Papa's not in charge of me, or who I spend time with."

"There's a stretch of the English language if ever I heard it. And if you think your old man's a tough case, you should've met my dad." His lips curled back and his voice became a low growl. "A mean sunuvabich." 

A long moment passed before he realized he'd been staring at the river and snapped his gaze back to Aleu. Her expression had shifted to something resembling concern, and he didn't like it.

"Chief?"

"He did at least one good thing for me, though. Got me this job, and now I'm working for your old man." He paused, narrowing his eyes. "How do I know you won't tell him just to spite me?"

"Papa won't ever hear about this from me." Her tone lightened, and she smirked at him. "So if he ever does find out, I'll know it was you."

"Ha! Fat chance of that. I'd be lucky if he just sent me packing. More's the like he'll shove me in front of a passing express and that'll be that."

"Good thing you picked such a secluded spot," she murmured, closing the distance to run one hand across his chest. "And maybe those years of experience do count for something."

"That doesn't sound much like a question, missy."

"Sharp as ever, I see. Now, come on."

He found she didn't need to pull him very hard to guide him forward, and when she knelt down on the blanket he followed her lead. For a moment they looked at each other, his hands in hers, and she looked almost bashful until she reached up and gave his chest a gentle shove. He tumbled back and quickly posted up on his elbows  to watch her prowl toward him on all fours. Between his spread legs, his semi-hard member drew her gaze, as did an old mark that ran across the front of his thigh. The fur there was slightly lighter than the rest. 

"That's a nasty scar," she said, running her tongue along his length. "How'd you get it?"

"Jumped off a bridge," he replied flatly.

She stopped and scowled up at him. "That's not funny."

"I ain't joking."

They stared at each other for a long moment before Aleu blinked. "You can tell me about it another time then. Right now, you've got some catching up to do." She took his shaft into her mouth and bobbed her head once, twice before drawing back and standing up. "And don't think you get to just lay back either."

For the second time that afternoon, Chief was left stunned speechless as she stepped up to stand over his chest. Looking up, he could see every inch of her from head to toe and he wondered if it was sweat or water from the river that gave her fur the sheen it seemed to possess. Just as quickly, she turned around and hiked her tail, giving him a perfect view of her back before she dropped to her knees and straddled his chest. Suddenly he was inches away from her rump and she glanced over her shoulder with a smirk.

"Let's see if that tongue of yours is good for more than verbal jousting." To make her point, she shifted her hips, moving back until his nose brushed against her. "Don't worry, I'll be sure to give you some gentle encouragement."

With that said she bent toward his waist and planted her hands on either side. Even as her hot breath hit the tip of his shaft Chief found himself staring at her wet mound, his nose teased by the sweet scent of something like peaches. He blinked, sure that he must have passed out from the heat or fallen asleep waiting for a bite on his line. There was no way that any young lady, never mind the gal he butted heads with almost daily at the yard, would spare an old hound the time of day. Yet when he reached up and took her upturned rump in his hands he heard her moan just before she wrapped her mouth around his shaft. If this was a dream he might as well make the most of it. 

Squeezing her cheeks, he drew her toward him and dragged his tongue across her slit just as slowly as he could. This time she moaned around his shaft and he grit his teeth around a grin as the vibrations coaxed his member to stiffness. Again he lapped at her entrance, then gently he used his thumbs to part her lips before prodding her folds with his tongue. She seemed to take that as a cue to bob her head on his member, and it was only fair he return the favor. He opened his jaw wider and pulled her closer, delving his tongue into her passage as his thumbs stroked her rump. At the same time, he felt her nose press against his furry sack as she took his shaft in her mouth all the way to the hilt. She held it there, curling her tongue around it and rocking her head back and forth. In response, he squeezed her rump harder and wriggled his tongue around inside her, even touching his nose against her slit. She quivered, her legs tensing up around his chest and she leaned back, letting his shaft slip from her muzzle as she posted her hands on his stomach. 

"Pah! Mmm, guess you still know your old tricks, Chief." She gasped and squirmed as he plunged his tongue into her depths. "Ooh, down boy, easy." 

Chief barely heard her, but withdrew his tongue and ran it across his lips like he'd just sampled the juiciest steak at Hotel Marceline. "Satisfied?"

"In your dreams," she chuckled, carefully slipping off his chest and turning to face him as she straddled his waist. "With how fast you got hard again, I don't want to waste any time." 

Rising up to a squat, she reached down with one hand to line his tip up with her passage before slowly sinking down. Chief huffed through his nose and gazed up at her, still not quite believing what was happening. The warm wet pressure around his shaft quickly dispelled any lingering doubts. At first, she clutched at her breasts and shut her eyes, whispering little gasps as she took his tip, then a little more each time she rocked forward and back. When her rump finally met his waist, she gave a breathy cry and drew in her lolling tongue to swallow. Just as he settled his hands on her hips, she playfully swatted them away. 

"I can handle myself, thank you very much."

Raising an eyebrow, Chief laid back and rested his head on his hands. "No doubt about that. All right, you had your way so far. Why stop now?"

Leaning back, she planted her hands on his thighs and lifted herself until his shaft nearly slipped out, then sank back down fast enough that they both stifled a groan. Before he could say anything, she did it again, and began building up speed. Even as she worked up to a faster pace, he couldn't help but notice she looked more frustrated than pleasured or happy. Her muzzle was a thin line and her expression was a faint scowl.

"Easy now, missy, what's your hurry?" He placed his hands on her hips and slowed her bouncing to a gentle roll. "You got somewhere to be? I figured we had all afternoon."

She stared daggers at him, but couldn't lift a hand to swat his away. "If it's going to take you all afternoon, then I'm jumping back in the river."

"Be my guest," Chief chuckled, motioning to the water and grinning. "Maybe then I can get some fishing done." 

Aleu blinked and scowled at him. "Are you saying I'm boring you, Chief Slade?"

"Far from it." Another low growl matched his grin. "But just because we're enjoying ourselves don't mean we gotta be in a rush about it. Is fast and hard the only way you ever done this?"

Her ears laid back, but she leaned forward and put her hands on his shoulders. What she probably meant as a hiss came out as a whisper. "Bold of you to presume I'm enjoying myself."

Chief's grin faded to a small smile and he brought his hands up to rest on her hips again, giving them a gentle squeeze. "Didn't your dad ever tell you not to fib? You forget I can feel you just as much as you can feel me." He held her hips against his as she settled down, his expression and tone serious. "Besides, you're the one in charge her. You can go any time."

Aleu met his gaze and furrowed her brow for a few long moments. Then that sly smirk returned and she chuckled. "What? And leave you to enjoy this lovely afternoon all by yourself?" He raised his brow as she squirmed on top of him. "It's not that I'm not having a good time, I'm just…" She trailed off, her hands gripping his stomach fur.

"Impatient?" he offered with a smirk.

"You could say that."

"Join the club."

Aleu rolled her eyes, easing down onto her knees with his shaft still buried in her passage. "Tell me this isn't still about the Calhoun and the Wadley."

"Those two were last in line," Chief grumbled. "You couldn't delay their overhaul by a day? Couldn't bear to give me a break when I needed one?"

"You think this is about you?" She sounded astonished, almost indignant. "What happens when something else comes up, as it always does, when they're due for the shop again? How many times would you ask me to delay?" She cupped his face in her hands, leaning down to touch her nose to his. "These machines need care, Chief. Just like you, just like me. Too much delay, and something breaks. I'll work myself into an early grave before I let something slide that might end up getting a crew, maybe even a whole train killed."

Chief put his hands on her hips, letting one drift up to pat her back. "I know that, damned if I don't," he sighed, still looking into those stunning blue eyes inches away. "You're right. Just seems like it's always at the worst times."

"Is there ever a good time for an engine to be out of service?" Aleu dropped her hands to his chest, and gave a light squeeze. "I knew I could keep my schedule, because I knew you'd figure out the rest."

He sighed, his gaze drifting over her shoulder. "Just felt so spent, seeing you in the river was like a match to powder."

"And what do you suppose hearing you hollering from the river bank was to me?" she said, batting one of his ears aside. "You're an ass sometimes, but a dependable ass."

Chief smirked up at her, letting his hands slip down to cup both sides of her rump. "Well, one good ass deserves another," he growled, giving a hard squeeze. 

Aleu gave a startled yelp and glared down at him, but couldn't stop a grin.

"Like I said, hard and fast ain't the only way to do this," the wolfhound rumbled, pulling her gently down to lay on his chest before wrapping one arm around her as the other began to guide her hips up and down.

She groaned and pressed her lips to his. The shock lasted only a moment, then he tilted his muzzle and let her tongue probe his teeth. All the while, he felt her breasts brushing against his chest as she rocked forward and back, taking him to the hilt again and again. Bracing his feet, he bumped her further up with his hips, and Aleu broke the kiss with a wide-eyed yelp as her tongue came lolling out again. 

Chief chuckled. "Makes me wonder how those roundhouse studs've been treating you."

Craning his neck, he wrapped his lips around one of her nipples, and Aleu couldn't stifle the breathless cries that escaped her muzzle. He could feel her trying to move faster, but all he had to do was swirl his tongue around whichever nipple he'd captured to stymie her rocking hips. Just as he was beginning to feel a twinge of pressure below the belt she dipped her head and nipped at his ear.

"C'mon, Chief, I know this isn't the best you can do," she panted, kissing his neck. "Show me what happens when a wolfhound catches a wolf."

Instantly, he leaned back, gritting his teeth as the she-wolf ran her tongue along her fangs. Cupping one hand behind her head and holding her close with the other, he thrust his hips up and tumbled to the side. Aleu clung to his back and gave a soft cry as she hit the blanket, but he quickly drew up on his elbows and cradled her head with one hand as he guided her legs behind him with the other. Her expression had shifted to surprise, then something resembling hunger, and she wrapped her legs tight around him. Somehow he'd managed to stay buried inside her and she drew him in to the hilt, giggling as he brought his free hand up to brace himself. His other hand still cradled her head and she didn't seem bothered as he ran his fingers through her fur. When he drew back, her pleading whimper was all he needed to drive back into her, all the way. She gave another breathy moan, eyes drifting closed, and any doubt he had of her feelings was cast aside when he felt her legs clench tighter around his waist. 

He bent to it with a will, rolling his hips in a slow and steady motion that was already pressing the wolf-dog into the soft earth below the blanket. Once or twice, she tried to guide his lips to hers but he just lowered himself until their bodies brushed against each other with every move he made. He quickly found he loved the feel of her frustrated kisses along his neck and shoulders, and the muffled needy sounds she made only urged him to press harder against her. He almost didn't notice when her cries grew short and shrill, just before she grappled him against her and nuzzled his neck as a shaky exhale escaped her. He grit his teeth and hissed as her love fluids soaked his shaft, but held still and waited as she shuddered in his grasp. Only when she relaxed did he pull back and begin to thrust into her again. This time, Aleu could barely manage a quivering cry, but kept her legs wrapped around him. The feeling was indescribable, and he huffed ragged breaths through his teeth as the pressure built. Beneath him, Aleu seemed to sense it too.

"Give it to me," she gasped, cupping his face in her hands again.

He nearly did, but he shut his eyes and shook his head. "Not a chance." He opened his eyes to see her beginning to protest, and put a finger on her lips. "You know I can't. You're the GM's daughter, and I can't risk..." He couldn't even finish the sentence, but the thoughts that rose unbidden to his mind terrified him.

She sighed and loosened her grip, but even as he pulled out of her she guided him toward her again. "Give me one more taste at least." When he looked at her confused, she merely opened her muzzle and put her hands on his hips. Panting, he clambered up her body and rested his shaft between her ample breasts. Aleu craned her neck to see and licked her lips. He had just enough time to put a hand behind her head to support her before he climaxed, his shaft pulsing and spattering his seed across her muzzle. Aleu just giggled and opened her mouth wider. When he was sure he'd loosed he load, she leaned forward to kiss his tip. His knees suddenly felt weak and he collapsed beside her on the blanket, his head just above hers.

"You lasted longer than I expected," Aleu panted.

"For some reason that don't quite feel like a compliment."

"Well it is. I've known roundhouse studs that would've shot their wad before I even got riled up."

"Heh, guess not all the yard stories are nonsense," Chief chuckled, still breathing hard. "Bet I could name a few names that fit that bill."

Aleu lifted her head up and tapped his nose with a finger. "Don't be so quick to judge, mister, I've heard stories about you too, from some of the old hands."

The wolfhound scowled. "Not too many old hands left."

"They said you used to be a real charmer."

"Been called many things, never a charmer," he rumbled, the furrows on his brow deepening. "How'd you get on that topic with them?"

"Easy there, older guys aren't usually my style," she replied, laying her head back down.

Chief laid his head back and stared at the sky for a moment, before something she'd said caught up with him. "Usually?"

"Well, for you I might just have to make an exception." Her voice was half-muffled as she spoke against his chest. "But only because despite all the bluster and guff you're just a big softie." A pause, then she lifted her head enough to look him in the eyes. "At least, in the places a girl likes a man to be soft."

Then she curled up against his side, her head resting on his chest, and Chief felt a smile cross his face. 


The whistle Aleu thought she heard faded along with her dream and she blinked to clear the sleep from her eyes. She lay on the towel she'd brought, spread across the grass. Her head rested on a rolled-up cotton shirt. The sun had dipped below the treetops and she felt a chill on the breeze. From nearby, a whistling tune picked up and she turned to see Chief standing on the edge of the little rise she'd climbed up, bare to the waist and wearing only his same trousers. The fishing pole in his hand sported a line that ran out quite a ways into the river, and he watched it with evident disinterest. It was only by the droplets that flew when he shook his head that she knew what to say next.

"You went for a swim without me, after all my prodding?"

The whistling stopped, but he barely turned to look at her. "I needed to cool off, and somebody told me there was only one surefire way to do that around here."

She rolled onto her back and posted up on her elbows. "Chief Slade you are insufferable." She shook her head and stood, turning to pluck her red skirt from the bundle atop his lunch pail. As she bent over, she called back. "Did you catch anything?" 

There was a long pause, enough for her to slip both legs into her skirt and turn around. Chief was watching her with a strange expression.

"Hard not to catch something around here."

Something in his tone made her hesitate, but she snatched up her white shirt and slipped it on. Sheepishly, she gathered up the pillow he'd made of his shirt for her. "Sorry to soak your shirt."

Chief was back to looking out at the river. "Aw, it'll dry soon enough. No harm done." 

She paused again, fiddling with the shirt before tossing it over a low-hanging branch. Then she made to leave, glancing over her shoulder. "I suppose one of us will need to find a new spot."

"Suppose so," Chief replied, still watching his line.

"Unless we didn't mind the chance of crossing paths again on our days off."

"That'd be when I'd expect to cross paths, if you ever took a day off." He began whistling again. "One o' these days you're gonna get sick with somethin' and be laid up for a week or more. You want the place to fall apart without you?"

"Why Chief, I didn't know you cared."

Chief regarded her with a raised brow and an even tone. "I'm sayin' you gotta learn to pass out work and not just dive head-first into every heavy lift that comes your way."

"How do you know I don't?"

"This your favorite spot?"

"Yes."

"Come here a lot?"

Aleu shrugged. "Often as I can."

He turned back to his line. "It ain't often enough."

"Who says?"

"Me.'Cause this is my favorite fishin' spot, and I ain't ever seen you until today."

Aleu put her hands on her hips. "And supposing I do start taking more time off?"

This time, he turned to face her as the whistling stopped. "Guess I'll be seein' you then."

She told herself it was polite courtesy that made her smile at him before she strode back up through the trees to the trail alongside the railroad. 

Behind her, Chief watched until she disappeared in the trees, then turned back to the task at hand. No matter how hard he focused on the little ripples around his line, he couldn't tear his mind from the wolf-dog who had no business looking at him the way she had.