Page 35 of Dance in the Stones

“I’ve always been attracted to this place for some reason, but knowing more about its history makes it all the more special.” Damon looked around at the damaged tower with a fresh perspective. “This place still matters.”

“Then we make sure it stands for another five hundred years.” Redford moved closer, adjusting the chain around Damon’s neck. The touch sent a warm tingle through Damon’s whole body. “Ready to start the grunt work?”

“With you? Always.”

They spent the next few hours doing what they’d originally come to do - surveying the foundation damage and planning repairs.

“The foundation here is the worst.” Redford crouched in the tower’s base, his hands pressed against granite blocks that had shifted dangerously. “I’ll need to reinforce them from below, essentially rebuilding the footing.”

“I can translocate supplies directly into position if you like, which would save you the trouble of hauling them down.” Damon made notes on his phone, cataloging everything Redford mentioned. “What else?”

“The crack needs to be stabilized immediately. I can work magic into the mortar, which will supplement what’s left of Beatrice’s wards.” Redford straightened, brushing dust from his knees. “It’ll take a while, as I said earlier, but by doing it slowly, in stages, no one will notice the tower improving too quickly.”

“Good thing I like long projects.” Damon grinned. “And I’ve got nowhere else to be.”

Redford’s expression softened. “Neither do I.”

They worked until just before dawn, planning every detail of their secret restoration project. By the time they trudged back to the cottage, happy but filthy, Damon’s mind buzzed with plans that extended far beyond simple repairs.

“We should contact the Paranormal Council,” he said as they stripped off his dirty clothes. “They’ll want to know about the documents.”

“After we’ve made copies and secured the originals.” Redford headed for the shower. “I’m not letting those out of our possession until we’ve established proper protections.”

Damon followed him into the bathroom, watching his mate’s broad shoulders relax under hot water. “Our possession. Does that mean you’re planning to stay in Scotland after your leave ends?”

Redford turned, water streaming down his chest. “I’m planning to stay wherever you are, and you seem to be at home here.”

“I do travel at times, visiting the pack mostly.” Damon stepped into the shower, crowding into Redford’s space. “But yeah, I feel like this place is home.”

“For both of us.” Redford pulled him close.

/~/~/~/~/

The hot water ran down their bodies, steam curling between them. Damon’s fingers traced the rough planes of Redford’s chest, over his ribs, and the dip of his waist.

Redford’s dark eyes tracked the movement. “You’re thinking too hard.”

“Just admiring the view.”

A low chuckle rumbled in Redford’s chest. “Liar.”

Damon grinned, unrepentant. The discovery of the tower’s history, and the weight of what they’d committed to, was fizzing through his veins, and he wanted to celebrate. Needed to. And the way Redford’s body responded to his touch, the way his mate’s breath hitched when Damon’s fingers drifted lower… Yep, that’d work.

He dropped to his knees, the hot spray hitting his back. Redford’s cock was already half-hard, thickening further as Damon wrapped his fingers around the base. He looked up, holding his mate’s gaze as he flicked his tongue over the tip.

Redford’s hands fisted in the air, like he couldn’t decide whether to grab Damon’s hair or the shower wall. “Fuck, Damon…”

“Shh, let me.”

Damon took his time, teasing, swirling, pouring his love and arousal through their bond, just enough to make Redford’s skin prickle with heat. His mate’s thighs tensed, his hips twitching forward, but Damon held him still, savoring the taste and weight of Redford’s cock in his mouth, and the way Redford’s groans filled the shower.

When Redford was pounding against the back of his throat, Damon pulled off with a wet pop, grinning up at him. “Or,” he said, voice rough, “we could take this to the bed.”

Redford’s jaw was tight, his voice strained. “You’re a fucking tease.”

“And you love it.”

That earned him a growl, but Redford didn’t argue. He shut off the water, yanked Damon to his feet, and nearly dragged him out of the shower. They barely bothered drying off, leaving a trail of damp footprints across the cottage floor.