A Heated Exchange

Gwen felt like she was about to have a panic attack. Her heart was racing out of control, the blood had rushed to her face and her nethers, and she was hyperventilating, getting drunk on the heady scent of what she now realized was Juras's own arousal. Her body ached to let him have her, to wrap herself around him until they were both completely sated. An image of him pouncing on her and pinning her to the floor with his throbbing erection, fucking her senseless in the bath filled her mind. She could see the towel becoming displaced as his cock grew behind it, an unmistakable response to her own obvious arousal, and an excited whimper escaped her trembling lips.

She wasn't entirely certain what possessed her to take her next action. Sheer panic, most likely. But rather than give in to what she wanted and letting him lead her back into the bath for what would likely be the least productive wash she ever experienced, she lunged forward and drove her head into his chest hard enough to knock him back against the wall. Then with a spring she dashed down the hall, her flight instincts guiding her in a strange bounding motion that ate up distance with surprising speed. All the while, Juras's laughter chased her home, and just before she ducked into Senna's door, she heard him call out.

"Don't worry, nan. I'll still be around when yer ready for it!"

Senna had burst into a fit of delighted giggles at Gwen's awkward recounting of the event before pulling her into a tightly coiled embrace. The experience of being wrapped up by her host was oddly comforting, and Gwen felt herself melting into the embrace. As she relaxed, her emotions got the better of her again, and she began bawling. Senna stroked her hair gently and whispered reassurances in her ear, letting the young woman ride out the intense emotions.

"Don't you fret, dear, it's all going to be ok."

"I'm so mortified! Why did I do that? I assaulted someone! And now I'm a wreck!"

"Oh Gwen. It's like the doctor said, yes? You have a whole new set of hormones to deal with. It will take some time for you to adjust to all these new feelings. And Gruffkin are a...passionate people. Outbursts like this are not at all unusual. It is normal for you to, how you say, butt heads?"

"Pun intended?"

"A little," Senna giggled. "But I also mean it very literally. Your people are very hot blooded, and disputes are often settled with displays of physical dominance. Locking horns and...well...other parts are as much a conversation as exchanges of words."

"Wait..." Gwen's eyes widened and her jaw dropped as the implication of Senna's last statement dawned on her. "You mean..."

This time it was Senna's turn to blush, the violet hue of her skin darkening slightly as she nodded.

"Your people are very...free with themselves, as you will likely see in time."

"Is...is that why Juras doesn't wear pants?"

"Well, I imagine it has more do with comfort than anything else, but it certainly helps."

"So if he takes offense at what happened just now, he might force himself on me later?" There was a tremble in Gwen's voice at that. She still didn't understand how to move properly, and Juras was much larger and stronger than she was. If he really wanted to get even with her, she wouldn't be able to defend herself.

"No, nothing like that dear. But it is very common for females to instigate play fights with males that they have interest in so that he can properly 'dominate' her afterwards. So, if anything, Juras likely interpreted that interaction as you awkwardly flirting with him."

Gwen's face turned bright red at Senna's teasing revelation, but she nodded her head with relief. At least she didn't have to worry about Juras trying to get revenge on her. She could just apologize for any misunderstandings later, and move on from this weirdness. It was her first day here after all, surely he wouldn't hold this against her.

~~~

As she ate her breakfast with Senna, Gwen couldn't help but kick herself for having been so naïve. Juras may not have been offended by her outburst, but he certainly wasn't letting it go unpunished. Every day that had passed since, the two Gruffkin had crossed paths at least once, and each time Juras's cocky smirk and attitude had set Gwen's blood boiling. More than once, they'd literally butted heads, just as Senna warned, and each time, Juras had pushed Gwen back almost effortlessly, a knowing grin on his face as displayed his physical dominance. She knew he was aroused by all of this, as the scent of his excitement washed over her every time that they met, and it only grew stronger when they clashed. And what was worse was, no matter how she might have denied it, the encounters had the exact same effect on her and knowing that he could tell exactly how much she liked it made the humiliation burn hotter. She couldn't stand how badly she wanted him to just pin her down and take her, and the idea that he deserved to do so was constantly in the back of her mind.

The books that Senna had bought her depicted many examples of "courtship rituals" between Gruffkin, and as Senna had hinted, they very much resembled the way she was acting with Juras. Reading them she couldn't help but imagine Juras in the position of the victor with Gwen "reluctantly" submitting to his lust. Her masturbation sessions, which were now nightly affairs lasting into the wee hours of the morning, exclusively featured erotic variations of her encounters with Juras from earlier that day. She found herself searching for the echo of his scent on her clothes, and imagining what he tasted like. She stared at the textbooks as though they were porn, imagining what Juras's cock would feel like inside her as he bred her over and over again. Never before in her life had she experienced such out of control lust, and it seemed to grow worse each day, to the point that she could barely make it through the day without touching herself. And every time that she crossed paths with him, she wondered if this would be the time he finally accepted her "invitation", and if she would be able to resist him if he did.

But, despite all this, he had simply never taken the opportunity. Each time they clashed, he would simply smile and ask her if she "needed help with that itch yet". It seemed that he was bent on making her admit it out loud, but she refused to. Her pride wouldn't let her submit like that, even if all that she wanted was for him to rut with her in the hallway. And the elevator. And their beds. Deep down, she knew he was right, and what she really wanted was for him to take the choice, the responsibility, out of her hands. She'd grown up in a fairly conservative environment, and asking for sex like that was just out of the question, especially with a relative stranger. But if he took charge, she could indulge freely without guilt. After all, it wouldn't be her fault.

Gwen let out a shuddering breath at the table as she fought to bring herself back under control. A week had passed since her first meeting with her handsome neighbor, and he was still all that she could think about. He infuriated her, but she wanted him so badly that she felt she would go insane. And what made it even worse, she'd met other Gruffkin on trips out with Senna, and none of them had anywhere near the same effect on her that he did. Some part of her had hoped that this was just how her body was now, going into heat at the sight or smell of a male. That would have been easier to deal with. But no. It was specifically Juras that drove her wild with animalistic lust.

"Something bothering you, dear?" Senna's voice snapped Gwen out of her internal struggle. "Is the food alright?"

Gwen nodded eagerly, shoveling another spoonful into her mouth. She silently cursed herself for her new lack of table manners, but she had almost gotten used to the barbaric way that she'd taken to eating of late. It certainly didn't help her restraint that Senna's cooking was always delicious, making it nearly impossible for her to not tear into it like she was starving. Which, given the changes that her body was still recovering from, she very well may be.

"Sorry, Senna. Just...distracted I guess."

"Mhm, distracted by a certain handsome buck across the hall, perhaps?"

Gwen nearly choked on her food, and shoveled in another mouthful to muffle her halfhearted denial of Senna's claim. But at that thought, a question popped into her head.

"Actually, I've been meaning to ask you something about that. Why does Juras call me nan?"

"Well, I believe that it's short for 'nanny'. Billy and nanny are common terms for male and female Gruffkin, like buck and doe. Though the former are more...informal."

"Informal?'

"Vulgar."

Gwen's cheeks reddened slightly. Had he been secretly insulting her this whole time? She knew that he took a great deal of joy in teasing her, so she wouldn't be surprised to learn that he was outright making fun of her. She silently resolved to give the arrogant ass a taste of his own medicine the next time that they crossed paths.

"Anyway," Senna brought Gwen's attention back to the present. "Do you have any plans for today?"

"Um, yeah. The doctors want me to try and get some physical exercise today. Something more strenuous than just walking. He thinks it will 'help the body and mind acclimate to one another more effectively'."

"That sounds right. Well make sure that you stay safe, alright? I've got a few errands to run, so I won't be back until supper time. Actually, thinking about it, you should probably ask Juras for help, if he isn't too busy. If anyone knows how to help with this sort of thing, I imagine it would be him."

Gwen groaned and dropped her head on the table.

"Do I have to?"

"I know things are little awkward between you two," Senna chuckled. "But he is a professional trainer, and he takes his job very seriously. He'll be able to help you figure out how to move in your new body better than some book can."

Gwen made a face, but nodded. Senna made a fair point, and while Juras was a jackass, she didn't think that he'd actually do anything too terrible to her.

'Unfortunately,' came a soft voice in the back of her head. She quickly shoved that thought down before it could be explored too thoroughly. She needed to get dressed before heading across the hall. As much as she was certain that Juras would appreciate her showing up at his door in her pajamas, she couldn't do much exercise dressed like this. She quickly cleaned up after herself and rushed into her room to don her new workout clothes, doing her best not to think too much about what Juras would enjoy seeing her in.

A few minutes later she was in the hallway outside of his apartment. She'd managed to don her new workout leggings with relatively minimal difficulty, a small victory in itself given that they were the first non-skirt bottoms she'd managed to wear since her legs changed. After a short debate with herself, Gwen elected to wear a loose t-shirt over her sports bra, despite it being a matching set with the pants. Part of her didn't want him to get any more of an eyeful than he already would be, while another thought that the more skin she showed the more likely he would be to help her out. She quickly squashed the part of her that wondered just how much Juras would be willing to help her with if she showed up like that, and decided that the shirt was necessary for multiple reasons. Plus, if she came across as too eager, she was certain that her neighbor would be even more insufferable than usual.

Finally, Gwen steeled herself for what she was certain would be an ordeal, and knocked on Juras's door before stepping back with her arms crossed over her chest. She waited nervously for a few moments, wondering if he'd heard her, or if he was even home. Just as she was about to try knocking again, she heard the jiggling of the handle and the door swung open slowly. Juras's face filled the gap between the door and frame, a sleepy expression on his face. His curly hair was a mess, and he hadn't bothered to put on a shirt. Or anything else for that matter, Gwen noted, her cheeks heating up as she fought to keep her eyes on his face instead of raking over his naked form. Now that the door was open, the scent of him washed over her, and Gwen could feel her body reacting to his musk. Her breathing started to deepen and for a moment, she considered simply tackling him to the floor and letting nature take its course.

"Aye, ye need sommat, Gwen?"

It was the first time he'd used her actual name, and Gwen was a little taken aback by it. But she recovered her composure and pressed forward.

"Um, yes. Sorry. I didn't mean to wake you."

"Think nothin' of it, luv. 'Twas about time anyway."

"Oh, alright then. Well, I'm supposed to start working out a bit harder today, help with my adjustments and all that, but Miss Senna is going to be out all day, and I was wondering if you might be able to give me a hand?"

Gwen wasn't sure when she started fidgeting, but she fought the urge to look down at the floor, and maintained eye contact the whole time that she asked her favor. Juras nodded drowsily as she explained her situation, almost as if he'd anticipated this, and then opened the door all the way and waved her in to his flat.

"C'mon in, I just need a tick, aye?"

"Oh! That's ok, I can just wait out here."

"Don't be daft, nan. Come inside while I get meself together, would ye? Can't leave a pretty thing like ye all on her lonesome."

That word again. She felt another flush go to her cheeks, but she couldn't deny that he had a point. It would be silly of her to stand around in the hallway waiting for who knows how long. And the fact that she would be alone in his home with him had nothing to do with her desire to walk through that door. Nothing at all. She took a steadying breath to calm her nerves and stepped into his flat. As she brushed past him, Gwen couldn't help but take in his scent once more, and a part of her was pleased to detect the hint of arousal that she'd become familiar with around him. The door closed behind her with a click of finality, and she was now behind closed doors with the object of her lustful obsession.

She was pleasantly surprised to find it a fairly tidy space, halfway expecting it to be an absolute mess complete with piles of garbage. The main thing that stood out was how very Juras the whole place felt. His scent had permeated everything, making it obvious that it was his home, his lair, even. The word sent a shiver of excitement through the young doe, and she had to fan her face as it heated up further. Part of her felt this was a mistake, while the other insisted that the only mistake was that she hadn't stripped naked and begged for him to fuck her into the mattress yet.

Juras pulled a chair out for Gwen and set about fixing himself a quick breakfast, apparently unbothered by his own nudity. He offered her a portion, but she waved him off, sitting awkwardly at the table and studying the wall as he scurried about his kitchen.

"So what kinda exercisin' were ye lookin' at, Gwen?"

She could hear a familiar teasing note returning to his voice and when she looked back at him, he was leaning against the counter with his usual cocky grin. Her eyes darted down between his legs before trailing off to the side once more, much to his amusement.

"I-I need help with my legs," she muttered, embarrassed. "I'm still having a hard time getting them to work right."

"Aye, I ken help with that well 'nuff. Got lotsa experience with legs, I do."

Gwen glared at the innuendo, but he continued on undaunted, meeting her gaze in amused challenge.

"But in all seriousness, we talking runnin' or weights or what?"

"Um, running, yes. That's probably the best place to start."

"Sounds fine to me. You already get warmed up then?"

"Oh...no. I didn't think about that." Gwen felt embarrassed admitting that. It felt like such an amateur mistake, which to be fair, she was. But for whatever reason, feeling like she looked foolish in front of him bothered her a great deal. For his part, the buck simply nodded like he'd expected as much.

"Alrighty, then," he said, finishing his breakfast before walking to his room. "Lemme get dressed a bit, and then I'll walk ye through some basics, aye?"

Gwen nodded, still trying not to stare at Juras's naked form as she fidgeted uncomfortably in her chair. Her eyes kept darting to the side, drinking in the sight of him as he pulled on a shirt that he'd grabbed out of a pile of laundry, his muscles stretching and flexing deliciously as he did. She watched him out of the corner of her eye, unable to look away until he was ready and walking back towards her, fully dressed for a workout.

"Alright, obviously the first thing we need to start with is yer stretchin', so get on up an' come over here."

Gwen obeyed, and for the next several minutes her heart was pounding out of her chest as Juras guided her through some basic stretches. He was patient and professional, which surprised her a great deal given their past experiences. As he watched her stance and corrected her form, she found her breath hitching at the feel of his hands on her body, moving her into position and applying pressure where she needed to bend and stretch. More than once she had to fight the urge to melt into his warmth as his scent enveloped her, his guiding touch feeling almost like a lover's embrace. The feel of his hard muscles against her back was an incredible distraction, and Juras's hands were forced to move across her body once more to correct her stance.

"Nyssus and Dion yer makin' this difficult for me, nan."

Gwen grit her teeth at the name. Knowing now that it was a vulgar word made her ire burn hotter, and she practically spat out her response.

"Well sorry for that, billy. This isn't exactly easy for me, either."

Juras hissed and his grip tightened on her hips, his thumbs lightly tracing the skin of her back, just above her waistband. Gwen tried not to whimper, his grip and caress sending tiny bolts of pleasure coursing through her

"Careful there, luv. That's not a word I'd throw around if I were ye."

"Oh, but it's fine for you to call me a nanny all the time?" Gwen tried to pull away, but Juras held her tight, his grip not slackening.

"Aye, 'cause I know what it means," he whispered, his hot breath against her sensitive ears sending a shiver down her spine and making her eyelids flutter. "So ye need to be careful sayin' it back, or someone might take ye seriously."

There was a subtle menace in his voice, but it didn't frighten Gwen, not really. She felt her heart pounding, and had to fight the urge to lean back against him. Her throat was dry, but she managed to choke out her next question.

"What does it mean, then?" Gwen's voice was barely above a whisper, and her breathing hitched again as he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her in tight. He buried his face in her neck and breathed deep, taking in her scent and making Gwen's heart skip a beat.

"It means," his raspy whisper on her neck sent goosebumps up and down Gwen's skin. "That I want ye. Gods above, Gwen, ye don't realize how much ye've been tormenting me this last week." He started to plant gentle kisses along her neck, pulling her shirt out of the way so he could nibble lightly at her nape. Gwen's simpering mewls filled the otherwise quiet apartment, and her hands bunched in the fur of his legs, marveling at how soft and plush it felt under her fingers. "Ev'ry day I can smell ye beggin' for it. An' ev'ry day I hold meself back, 'cause I know ye don't know what yer askin' for. But I can only take so much, luv."

"I-I don't know...what you're t-talking...about..." Each kiss and nip at her neck drew another gasp from Gwen's throat, and as she squirmed in his arms she realized that she wasn't trying to get away, she was wriggling further into his grasp.