Elephants Never Forget: BBW Shapeshifter Romance (Safari Shifters Book 3) Read Online Free PDF Page B

that. She needed to be on the second bus out to Safari Town. It was the busiest bus, according to Jimmy, so she wouldn’t be noticed. She needed Branch to get on the first bus or her plan would be shot.
    “It’s almost five fifteen now. You don’t want to sleep and miss it.”
    He stood up and snatched his pants up. “Don’t worry, I won’t miss the bus,” he said as he searched for his shirt. He put it on but didn’t bother buttoning it before opening the door. “If you want to see me again, you can text me. Don’t worry, I won’t stick around next time.”
    “I know you’re tired. Sorry.”
    He looked at her incredulously. “I’m pissed that you’re throwing me out like yesterday’s trash. I didn’t plan on sleeping much tonight.”
    Maura winced. She hadn’t meant to hurt his feelings. She hadn’t even thought that was a possibility. She was only on Safari Island for a few days. This couldn’t be anything serious, though she could stand to see Branch one more time. “Maybe I’ll text you tomorrow night?”
    “Cool.” Branch started to walk out and then turned around. “I know you’re on vacation, but I do think you’re a really cool girl. I’d like to keep talking. If you only want this to be some kind of vacation thing, let me know.”
    Maura was sure she was hearing things. He wanted to keep talking to her? That didn’t make any sense. She couldn’t. Could she? Her head swam with all the possibilities. If she kept talking to Branch, he might find out what she did and he could be very angry.
    It would be better if she didn’t see him after the trip. “I only want a vacation thing. I just came out of a serious relationship.”
    He nodded curtly. “Cool.”
    He closed the door behind him and Maura let her head fall onto the pillow. She knew it was the right choice, but she felt so awful.

Five
    Branch was still in shock when he got home an hour later. He was sure it was all a fever dream. There was no way any of that had happened. A woman had asked him to leave, and he had responded by saying he wanted a relationship.
    Oh, and he had marked her, too.
    He put his head in his hands as his dinner threatened to come up. All of those things had happened, and now his elephant was restless.
    He jumped up and paced his small living room. He was going to have to shift soon or he was going to lose his mind, but he wanted to get a grip on what he’d done first.
    Marking a woman was a very big deal. It meant that she was his mate. According to shifter tradition, at least. He liked Maura and all, but it made no sense for her to be his mate. She was great in bed and hot as hell and easy to talk to and smart. That was why he had wanted to get to know her better. But that didn’t mean she was his mate. He wasn’t even looking for a mate. He had just been caught up in the moment, he reassured himself. He liked her a lot but there had to be more to mating than a good roll in the sheets.
    His elephant didn’t like that thought at all.
    Branch had to get out of the house. It was still early, but he went to the edge of the safari park, undressed and left his clothes on the van he was working that day. He let his elephant take over from there. Once the shift was completed, he headed for the elephant sanctuary. He passed a few of his co-workers heading in from night shift.
    Branch was surprised to see a new calf when he reached the elephants. The bull wasn’t around, luckily, and he got a good look at the little guy. After a quick meeting, he set off to look for food. His elephant liked eating near the giraffes. There was lots of tree bark and low-hanging leaves for him to eat.
    He felt much better after the short walk. He was starting to feel good, actually. A new calf, delicious leaves, and getting to watch the sunrise surrounded by animals. Pretty nice way to make up for his behavior earlier.
    That was what made him most uneasy. It wasn’t how he would normally act. Usually, he would have a great night