Page 19 of Dance in the Stones

Mine.

Ours, Damon’s hound whispered through their new bond.

Redford joined him on the bed, settling between Damon’s legs. “I’m going to touch you everywhere,” he warned. “Learn you and map every part of you until I know you better than I know myself.”

“Please.” Damon’s hips shifted restlessly. “Whatever you need to do. Just do it.”

Redford kissed him, pouring everything he felt into it. Then, when they had to stop to breathe, he started working his way down his new mate’s body.

He traced Damon’s jaw with his lips and tongue, learning the shape of it. As he kissed the hollow of his throat just above the chain, Redford could feel Damon’s pulse racing beneath his skin. There was so much of the man, and Redford was determined to enjoy every inch, humming quietly as he licked his way across Damon’s collarbones, committing every angle to memory.

“Redford.” Damon’s hands fisted in the sheets. “You’re killing me.”

“Good.” Redford moved lower, kissing across Damon’s chest. “You’ve been driving me insane for days. Turnabout’s fair play.”

He took his time with Damon’s chest, his ribs, the dip of his navel. There were very few blemishes, Damon was like any other shifter in that regard. But the muscles had form and valleys, and there were little spots down the side of Damon’s torso that made him arch his body or swear.

A gargoyle was, by his very nature, thorough, and now the awkwardness and dithering were over, Redford was going to claim his mate right. By the time he reached Damon’s hips, his mate was trembling.

“Every part,” Redford reminded him, kissing the sharp bone of Damon’s hip. “That was the deal.”

“Pretty sure I didn’t agree to torture,” Damon managed, but his voice was ragged and interspersed with heavy breathing.

“No?” Redford moved lower, kissing the inside of Damon’s thigh. “Did you want me to stop?”

“Did you want me to shift and bite you?”

Redford laughed against Damon’s skin. “Maybe another day, my mate.”

He continued his exploration, learning the strength of Damon’s thighs, the sensitivity behind his knees, and finding that ticklish spot in the arches of his feet. Then kissed and licked his way back up the other leg, taking his time, his nose pressed against Damon’s skin, and his gargoyle humming with satisfaction at every sound Damon made.

When he finally, finally took Damon’s cock in hand, his mate nearly came off the bed.

“Redford…”

“Not yet.” Redford stroked him slowly, learning the feel of Damon’s cock in his hand. “I want to taste you first.”

Redford might have had a spot of devilish glee in making Damon squirm. His mate was getting louder, as Damon wiggled, moaned, swore, and begged at times. It wasn’t just Damon, though. The bond between them blazed brighter with every touch, every kiss, feeding back Damon’s pleasure until Redford was ready to come if Damon moved anywhere near his own heavy cock.

“Going to…” Damon’s warning came too late, his release clearly hitting hard. Redford drank down his mate’s release, his fingers soothing trembling thighs until Damon went boneless against the mattress.

“That was...” Damon’s chest heaved. “Why do I get the impression that was just the warm-up?”

“We’re getting there.” Redford kissed his way back up Damon’s body. “Do you have any lube?”

Damon raised his hand and clicked his fingers, and a large tube appeared in his hand.

“That’s so damn handy,” Redford chuckled. “I still need to claim you properly.”

“Pretty sure you just did.”

“Not yet. I told you, I have to touch you everywhere.” Redford settled between Damon’s legs again, slicking his fingers. “Trust me?”

Damon’s eyes softened. “With everything.”

Redford started slowly, watching Damon’s face as he worked him open. His mate was responsive, eager, arching into every touch.

“More,” Damon demanded, hooking a leg over Redford’s hip. “Stop being so careful.”