Lovin' Large

By Linda Mooney and Carolyn Gregg

A "Choose Your Ending" Romance 

Asa Kelby, Director of Entrapment for WesCept, never knows what his job will entail day in and day out. After the earth passed through a comet's tail, wiping out 90% of all animal species, life changed drastically for both humans and remaining animals. Gone is the surplus of meat for meals, domestic pets, and farm animals. But companies like WesCept are working hard to reverse that.

Scientists have developed a machine that can reach back in time, seize animals of all shapes and sizes, and transport them forward to current time to repopulate the Earth, bringing those species back from extinction, and also provide food for meat-eaters. The biggest problem is they have no control over what animals the Grabber will trap, or even WHEN in history those animals will come from.

At great risk, Asa's boss tells him to turn up the power on the Grabber, in hopes of bringing in bigger game, but they weren't quite expecting it to bring in something quite as large or prehistoric as they are soon facing. When the mistake is realized, it's too late, and they get more than they bargained for. More than the history of Earth itself ever knew existed.

And it will shake the very core of everyone's belief as to humanity's past.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Linda Mooney
• Release date: Feb 28, 2020
• ISBN: 9780998532745

Linda Mooney

Linda loves to write sensuously erotic romance with a fantasy, paranormal, or science fiction flair. Her technique is often described as being as visual as a motion picture or graphic novel. A wife, mother, grandmother, and retired Kindergarten and music teacher, she lives in a small south Texas town near the Gulf coast where she delves into other worlds filled with daring exploits, adventure, and intense love. She has numerous best sellers, including 10 consecutive #1s. In 2009, she was named Whiskey Creek Press Torrid's Author of the Year, and her book My Strength, My Power, My Love was named the 2009 WCPT Book of the Year. In 2011, her book Lord of Thunder was named the Epic Ebook "Eppie" Award Winner for Best Erotic Sci-Fi Romance. In addition, she write naughty erotic romances under the name of Carolyn Gregg, and horror under the pseudonym of Gail Smith. For more information about Linda Mooney books and titles, and to sign up for her newsletter, please visit her website. http://www.LindaMooney.com

Book preview

Chapter One

"L ooks like we got us a big one! "

Asa Kelby heard the yell all the way down the hallway, and picked up his pace toward the Receiving Room. He entered in time to see the familiar white mist filling the enormous plexiglass chamber that took up most of the converted warehouse. Hurrying over to where Sergei Grinlovski stood behind the control panel, he helped watch the readouts for any sign of trouble. Over in the far corner Hank and Benn stood ready with electrical prods and a cage for whatever appeared.

Asa scanned the monitors embedded in the panel, playing close attention to the weight display. He let out a whistle. Eight hundred and twelve pounds! That’s a chunk of flesh. Any idea what’s coming in?

Sergei snorted as he gave him the side eye. Your guess is as good as mine. I just hope it’s nothing dangerous.

At that size, very little isn’t. Asa glanced over at the two security guards. Bet they’re thinking the same thing.

The mist continued to solidify as it went from white to dark gray, and finally to black as the Grabber slowly drew its target into their time. After another full minute, the machine’s growl became a purr, eventually ceasing altogether. Sergei punched the button to activate the venting system, and the black cloud was vacuumed out of the enclosure.

Asa stared in happy surprise as Sergei let out a whoop of joy.

"Hot damn! We got us a camel!"

It’s a dromedary, Asa also noted. See the single hump on its back?

Holy shit! a voice cried out from the other side of the room. Tarika ran over to join them as they went to stand closer to the chamber. She was out of breath when she halted beside Asa. Her smile lit her whole face. Is that our first camel?

Yes indeed-y, Sergei responded with pride.

The animal within stared back at them in obvious confusion. Meanwhile, the blowers continued to suck the contaminated air from the structure as it simultaneously replaced the interior with purified air. As Asa knew it eventually would, the camel slowly gave way to the dizziness and pressure it had been put through by the Grabber, and collapsed onto its front knees. Another couple of seconds, and it rolled over to lay on its side, unconscious.

Asa turned to his partner. Have you called Dr. Besenji?

I’m right behind you, the veterinarian stated, jogging into the chamber. She halted in front of the structure to gaze rapturously at the animal. My God. A camel! Quick, Asa. Check the interior for any negative ions. Tarika, give me its vitals.

He hurried back to the display as the woman went over to the opposite side of the room and entered the small steri-bubble adjacent to the enclosure. While she donned a hazmat suit in there, he read out the numbers. At the same time, he had the computer do a search on camels.

No sign of ions. The animal poses a threat level one. Watch out for its feet and teeth, he advised. It says here people used them as transport animals. He grinned. They also raced them.

Raced them? Sergei interjected, and let out a bark of laughter.

All right, guys. I’m going in, the vet announced.

They watched as the white-clad figure emerged from the bubble, into the enclosure. She swiftly hurried over to the stilled creature, kneeling to check its pulse as Tarika worked the controls for the instruments on the other platform. The mechanical arms extended from overhead, dropping to where Besenji could reach them.

Grabbing the utensils, she swiftly hooked up the camel to the second set of monitors. Tarika began reading off the findings as the vet soothed and petted the animal. Even though the creature was out of it, they’d learned long ago that it still remained somewhat aware of its surroundings. Besenji’s actions would help to keep it calmed.

We got a female, Besenji announced, and the others let out a second shout of joy. Bringing in a species that was healthy and had a good chance of survival was good enough reason to rejoice. To have it be a female was like the cherry on top.

Who has a male we can pair her with? the vet queried.

Sergei quickly checked. San Antonio has two males. One’s a senior, but the other is still of breeding age.

That’s good, Asa noted. Weather down there is normally hot and humid. She’ll best adapt to that environment.

Contact San Antonio and let them know we got a female for them, Besenji ordered.

Got it! Sergei replied, and hurried out of the room.

Scanning complete, Tarika informed them. Vitals are good. She’s a two-year old female. Never been bred.

Besenji sat up. Hmm, that could be a problem.

Problem, how? Asa questioned.

We don’t know if she’ll have any difficulties giving birth, Tarika answered.

How many camels does that make altogether now? Hank called out.

Tarika glanced over at Asa. That’s your department.

He grinned. Six. This world now has six camels.

A camel makes a nice change from all the other smaller creatures we’ve been bringing in, Benn commented.

Do we have any idea what time period this girl came from? Hank pondered.

Asa shook his head. Nope. Just as we don’t have any idea when in time the others were living. We’re lucky the Grabber is able to go back prior to the extinction period.

All right. Tarika, note that the female shows no marks of civilization. No tats or brands. No marks on her back to show she was ever saddled. Her hooves show natural wear. I’m going out on a limb here and say she was wild.

Got it, Tarika replied.

Shoving aside the overhanging instruments, the vet got to her feet. The bundle retreated back into the ceiling. Keep your eye on her until she awakens, she ordered her assistant.

Will do.

The automatic response made Asa smile to himself. Every single time the Grabber brought in another animal, those two went through the exact same motions, the exact same routine, the exact same verbiage, as if they were following a script. One that he already knew by heart.

And let me know if any abnormal readings pop up before we get her crated.

Let me know if any abnormal readings pop up before we get her crated, Besenji added.

Will do, Tarika repeated, and the vet returned to the bubble to shed her suit.

Asa gave himself a mental high five and returned his attention to the board before him. All right, guys. Decontamination will be finished in nine minutes. Then you can load her up and take her to holding.

Hank tossed him a mock salute as the two men put away their tasers and grabbed their catch poles. How long before she awakens? Any idea? Benn asked Tarika.

Umm, at least another five minutes. The reaction is starting to wear off, but she should remain complacent while you transport her.

Shutting down the Grabber, Asa announced. Put another check in the win column.

Hey, I say we get extra credit for this one, Besenji commented, coming around for one last glimpse of the animal before leaving. It’s our first camel in, what? How many grabs does this make? She raised an eyebrow at Asa.

He checked the counter. Two hundred and twenty-eight successful grabs.

And all of them blind, the vet stated with a shake of her head. Blows my mind every time. Okay, guys. If anyone needs me, I’ll be over at the holding area to check on that python we brought in yesterday. She strode out