Page 73 of Dance in the Stones

The first push inside stole both their breaths. Damon went slow despite the instinct screaming at him to thrust deep and claim his mate hard. He knew he had to wait, letting Redford adjust to the stretch. Their bond opened wide between them, Damon felt Redford’s sensations as if they were his own.

“Move,” Redford urged, wrapping his legs around Damon’s waist. “Please move.”

Damon pulled nearly all the way out before sliding back in, quickly setting up a rhythm that had Redford cursing and clutching at his shoulders. Each stroke seemed to drive deeper, and Redford pushed back to meet him eagerly, completely wild with desire. Sweat slicked their skin as they moved together, the bed frame creaking rhythmically beneath them.

“Harder,” Redford gasped. “Don’t hold back… I need…”

Damon shifted the angle and drove in deep, hitting Redford’s prostate dead-on. Redford shouted, head thrown back against the pillows, and Damon did it again. And again. His hound surged beneath his skin, recognizing the significance of what they were doing. Magic crackled through the air around them, but Damon was completely focused on his ruggedly sexy mate.

“I love you,” Damon said fiercely, punctuating each word with a thrust. “Love you so damn much. I want to see you round with our child and watch you be a father. I want forever with you.”

“You have it.” Redford pulled him down into a bruising kiss. Forever. Always. I’m yours.

The bond between them blazed brighter as their intention crystallized into reality. Redford’s nails scored down his back as the sensation overwhelmed them both.

“Close,” Redford warned unnecessarily. Damon could feel him trembling on the edge. “Can’t…going to…”

“Together,” Damon managed, reaching between them to stroke Redford in time with his thrusts. “Come with me.”

Redford came with Damon’s name on his lips, clenching down hard around him. The sensation pushed Damon over the edge, and he buried himself deep as his release pulsed through him.

They collapsed together in a sweaty heap, hearts pounding in sync. Damon managed to pull out carefully and roll them onto their sides, tucking Redford against his chest. Their bond hummed contentedly between them, satisfied.

“Did it work?” Redford asked after their breathing slowed.

“I’m guessing we won’t know for a couple of weeks.” Damon pressed a kiss to his temple. “But my hound seems pretty smug about it.”

“My gargoyle is purring.” Redford’s laugh rumbled against Damon’s chest. “Actually purring. I didn’t know we could do that.”

“You do when you’re happy.” Damon tangled their legs together, not ready to let even an inch of space come between them. “Really happy.”

“I am.” Redford’s voice went soft. “Happier than I ever thought possible. Even when I dreamed of finding my mate, I never imagined it would feel like this.”

“The castle brought you here and brought us together.” Damon glanced toward the door, sensing the gentle warmth of Duncarrick’s consciousness hovering nearby. “Do you think it knew what we’d become?”

“Maybe. Or maybe it just recognized that we belonged here.” Redford yawned, burrowing deeper into Damon’s embrace. “Belonged together.”

Damon held him as his breathing evened out into sleep, marveling at how completely his life had changed. At least I know now why my hound was always a jittery mess anytime we weren’t here, he thought, thinking about his time away when he’d been helping Giorgio and Enda. Somehow, even though it wasn’t possible, his hound knew, and because of that Damon had a mate, a sanctuary to protect, and maybe – just maybe – a baby on the way.

“Love you,” Damon whispered into Redford’s dark hair, even though his mate was already asleep. “I love you so much.”

/~/~/~/~/

Two weeks later, Damon woke to an unfamiliar sensation thrumming through the bond. There was a new warmth, centered under Redford’s heart – a tiny sun had taken up residence in his chest.

Damon’s eyes flew open. Redford was already awake beside him, one hand pressed flat against his sternum, and a look of quiet shock on his face.

“Do you feel that?” Redford whispered.

“Yep.” Damon covered Redford’s hand with his own, and the warmth pulsed brighter in acknowledgment. “Is that…?”

“An egg.” Redford’s voice broke. “There’s an egg forming. Our egg. We’re going to be fathers.”

Joy exploded through their bond so powerfully it stole Damon’s breath. He pulled Redford close, feeling the gentle heat of new life between them.

“Yes.” Damon kissed him softly. “I do believe we are.”

“Should we tell the pack?” Redford asked.