“People can be bought, Ewen.”
“Not Klaus.” Ewen’s voice came out sharper than he intended. “Come on, you’ve worked with him before, and even Lord Hades said he was a good man - thorough but good. Sure, he might not be paranormal, but he’s got an impeccable reputation for being honest. Everyone knows that. He’d rather kill a story than compromise his integrity.”
Lamont’s expression softened. “I know. I’m just saying it’s possible someone in his organization isn’t as scrupulous.”
Ewen dragged a hand through his hair, his thoughts spiraling. What if the story got killed before Monday? What if Arcturus found a way to shut it down? What if all those soldiers died for nothing because Ewen couldn’t protect his own investigation?
“Stop,” he told himself.
“What? I’m not doing anything.”
“Not you, my mate, my damn brain.” Ewen yanked at his collar again, undoing another button. “It won’t shut up. I keep thinking about all the ways this could go wrong, and I just - I need it to stop.”
Lamont crossed the room in three strides. “Ewen…”
“I want you to fuck me.”
Lamont blinked. “What?”
“You heard me.” Ewen started unbuttoning his shirt properly now, fingers working down the placket. “I want you to fuck me until I can’t think. Until I forget my own name. Until the only thing in my head is you.”
Heat flared in Lamont’s eyes. “Are you sure?”
“Do I look unsure?” Ewen shrugged out of his shirt and tossed it aside. “The only things that got hurt during that fracas in the bathroom were our wonderful dinner vibes and my pride in that I couldn’t fight off those men on my own.”
“You were giving it a darn good try when I got there.”
“Regardless, I wasn’t getting very far. And yes, I’m pissed at Arcturus for trying to grab me again. And I’m even more furious that I can’t stop my brain from spinning in circles.”
He reached for his belt. “So, unless you have a better idea for how to help me forget about all of it for a while, I suggest you start stripping out of those fancy clothes.”
Lamont’s control snapped. He yanked his shirt over his head and reached for his belt buckle. “Bed. Now.”
“Bossy.” But Ewen was already moving, heat pooling low in his belly as Lamont stripped.
“You asked for this,” Lamont reminded him, kicking off his pants.
“I did.” Ewen sat on the edge of the mattress, watching Lamont prowl toward him. “And I meant every word.”
Lamont knelt between Ewen’s knees, hands sliding up his thighs. “Then let me give you what you need.”
/~/~/~/~/
Lamont’s hands slid up Ewen’s thighs, thumbs pressing into the muscles as he pushed them wider apart. The hotel room felt safer now that he’d checked every corner, every potential hiding spot. There were no cameras spying on them, no listening devices, and for now, at least, no threats.
There were just him and his mate. And the sweet curve of Ewen’s ass which was currently hidden because he was sitting on it.
“Stand up,” Lamont murmured, his voice rougher than usual, but that really couldn’t be helped.
Ewen jumped up, and Lamont’s hands guided him, turning him around until Ewen faced the mattress.
“Bend over.”
“Still bossy,” Ewen repeated, but he was already leaning forward, bracing his forearms on the covers.
Still kneeling, Lamont settled behind him, drinking in the sight. Ewen’s spine curved beautifully, muscles shifting under pale skin marked with Lamont’s claiming bite at the junction ofneck and shoulder. His fox’s silver-gold soul shimmered through their bond.
“Perfect,” Lamont breathed, running his palms down Ewen’s back, over his hips, across the swell of his ass. “You’re perfect.”