“Only put about thirty of your colleagues in federal prison with more to come.” Lamont hit a button and put the phone on speaker. “Hi, Redford. It’s Lamont. Sorry to bother you again, but we have a situation.”
Redford’s gravelly voice came through. “What kind of situation is it this time?”
“Well, we’re in New York, and the situation is the kind where the female interrogator Ewen mentioned in his story – you know, from the basement - was waiting in the bedroom of his private house with a gun.” Lamont glanced at Ewen. “She’s currently secured and bleeding on the bedroom floor. She…er…witnessed a shift.”
There was silence for a moment, and then a long sigh came over the phone. “I thought you were going on vacation.”
“We had to come back so Ewen could pack.”
“Fine. I’ll send a team. It might take a bit - maybe twenty minutes. You’ve already given us a fair bit to do.”
“It’s appreciated, thanks. I swear we’ll buy you the best meal, anywhere of your choosing when all this shit is finished. We’ll wait for your team.” Lamont ended the call and looked down at the woman. “You’re lucky I don’t want to deal with either Lord Hades or the Shifter Council right now. Technically, you threatened a shifter in his own territory. That has to violate at least six paranormal laws, without counting the human ones.”
She went very still. “You’re...you’re one of them.”
“One of who?” Ewen asked, crouching down so she could see his face. “A shifter? Yeah. Do you remember the fox in the factory giving your goons the runaround? Also me. Surprise.”
Her lips thinned. “That’s impossible. The fox was in the warehouse. You were tied up in the basement.”
“I was in the basement. I asked for a bathroom break, so they had to untie me. You wanted to interrogate me again, and I didn’t want to risk peeing on your shoes. So yep. My hands were free, the door to the warehouse was open, and that’s all it took. Me and the fox were one and the same.” Ewen stood up and stepped back. “I can’t believe you didn’t figure that out. Amateur. Can you take care of this, mate?” He smiled at Lamont, who was still glowering at her. “I still have packing to do.”
“Take all the time you need, precious. She and I aren’t going anywhere.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
The Aegean wind carried salt and warmth as Lamont watched Ewen step onto the villa’s terrace. His mate wore nothing but a pair of swim trunks that clung to his thighs, the late afternoon sun turning his skin golden. Ewen stretched his arms to the sky, arching his back like a cat, and Lamont’s breath caught.
“Come here,” Lamont said, his voice coming out rougher than intended.
Ewen turned, one eyebrow lifting. “Why? I thought we were going swimming. We have all evening.”
“We have all forever.” Lamont crossed the space between them in three strides, his hands finding Ewen’s waist. “But right now, I want to show you something.”
“The view?” Ewen glanced toward the horizon where the sea met the sky in a haze of blue. “It’s definitely beautiful here.”
Lamont chuckled, low and dark. “We’ll spend time appreciating the view…later.” He dipped his head, nipping at Ewen’s collarbone. “Right now, I want to show you how much I adore you. Remember, step two of our plan?”
Ewen’s breath hitched. His fingers curled into Lamont’s shoulders. “I’m on board with that plan.”
The bedroom was cool and dim, the heavy drapes drawn against the afternoon heat. Lamont backed Ewen against the nearest wall, his mouth crashing down in a kiss that was a mass of teeth and tongue. The danger was over, Ewen’s article was done, and now Lamont had all the time, and Ewen’s attention, to let him know how much he was wanted. Ewen moaned into the kiss, his body melting against Lamont’s as their chests pressed together.
Lamont broke the kiss just long enough to whisper, “Tell me what you want.”
Ewen’s laugh was breathless. “Since when do you need instructions?”
“Since I want to hear you say it.” Lamont’s hands slid down, thumbs hooking into the waistband of Ewen’s trunks. “Tell me how you want me to worship you.”
Ewen’s pupils blew wide. His voice dropped to a rasp. “On your knees.”
Lamont went down, the marble floor cool beneath his bare knees. He looked up at his mate - all sharp angles and flushed skin - and knew he’d happily get on his knees for his mate any time he was asked.
Mine... Time... We have the time now.His hands mapped every inch of Ewen’s body - the dip of his waist, the slight flare of his hips, the way his thighs trembled when Lamont’s fingers traced the inside seam. He pressed his face against the soft cotton of Ewen’s trunks, inhaling the scent of salt, sun, andmatebefore tugging the fabric down with his teeth.
Ewen’s cock was already hard, flushed dark at the tip. Lamont wrapped one hand around the base, his thumb stroking the vein that pulsed beneath the skin. He didn’t take him in his mouth - not yet. Instead, he nuzzled the heavy weight, breathing hot air over the sensitive flesh until Ewen’s fingers tangled in his hair.
“Lamont, please…”
The begging was what undid him.