Page 21 of Dance in the Stones

“We should probably eat first.” Redford kissed his forehead. “You never got breakfast.”

“Neither did you.”

“Neither did I,” Redford agreed. “But…”

The sound of vehicles pulling up outside interrupted him. Heavy doors slamming and voices calling out greetings. The contractors had arrived.

Damon groaned. “Tell them we’re dead.”

“Pretty sure that won’t work.”

“Tell them we’re sick, then.”

“I don’t think that will work either.” Redford reluctantly sat up. “Come on. We need to shower and pretend to be responsible adults.”

“I’m a responsible hound. I never said I was a responsible adult.” But Damon was already moving, swinging his legs off the bed. As he stood up, the jeweled chain caught the light, and the way it stood out from Damon’s gleaming skin made Redford’s breath catch.

My mate.

“Stop looking at me like that,” Damon said, but his smile was soft. “We have work to do, Mr. Responsibility.”

“I’m thinking work can wait.”

“Work absolutely cannot wait. Those contractors are expensive.” Damon headed for the bathroom, glancing back over his shoulder. “But you can join me in the shower if you promise to behave.”

Redford followed, already knowing he wouldn’t behave at all. The contractors knew what they needed to do – they could work by themselves for an hour or two.

Chapter Nine

They didn’t make it out of the cottage for another hour. Redford left first, as Damon had some group chats to respond to. Damon thought it was cute Redford felt those chats were part of Damon’s private life and didn’t have anything to do with him, but as the contractors had already arrived, Damon let it go for now. He’ll realize he’s part of the pack soon enough.

But by the time Damon finally stepped outside, showered, dressed, and with a full belly, he was still carrying his contentment from the night before. The sun had climbed higher, and the contractors were busy. Through their bond, he realized Redford was thinking about the night before as well, and “thought” about things a little harder.

Stop distracting me, Redford sent through their new connection.

You’re the one who kept kissing me in the shower.

You started it.

Damon grinned and headed toward the castle, where voices echoed from inside the partially restored great hall. Everything looked sharper today, for some reason. Hellhounds already had incredible eyesight, but Damon put it down to his mood.

The morning mist still clung to the hillside, the ancient stones gleamed with moisture, and he could hear the contractors’ conversations even from a distance.

The bond hummed beneath his ribs, a constant warm presence that connected him to Redford. He could sense his mate’s location inside the castle without looking, feel the slight frustration as Redford was clearly studying something.

“Morning,” Damon called as he entered through the main doorway.

Three heads turned toward him. Malcolm, the lead contractor, stood near the far wall with his two assistants, all of them pausing mid-conversation. Their expressions shifted almost immediately - surprise, then knowing smiles that made Damon’s face heat.

“Well, well.” Malcolm set down his measuring tape, his grin widening. “Someone had a good morning.”

“Don’t start.” But Damon couldn’t stop smiling if he tried.

“I wouldn’t dream of it.” Malcolm’s eyes sparkled with humor. “Though I have to say, it took you two long enough.”

“It’s barely been ten days.”

“Felt more like watching paint dry, the way you both kept circling each other.” Malcolm jerked his thumb toward the western wing. “Mr. Stone’s over there looking at the foundation work. You might want to go help him before he lifts something he shouldn’t.”