Page 8 of Hellhounds and Homicides

“Do you like what you do?” Dumas asked and took his hands in his.

“Yes, I like solving crime. I like bringing people the justice they deserve. I like my job.” Rowen answered thoughtfully.

“I don’t care what you do as long as you are happy doing it. I also have no issue with you being a cat shifter or a stray, as you call it." Dumas held his hands tighter, and Rowen loved the feeling of being cherished.

"I have been on this earth for many years. I was once the guard to a very despicable man. I lived for the day that he would be defeated and I would be free, and now I serve an honorable Bard and a good Master. I have a home I like in a city that I like, and now I have been gifted my mate. Life is wonderous and expectant, and I plan to live and enjoy every minute of it and every minute of you." Dumas slipped his hand behind Rowen's neck and pulled him in for a gentle kiss.

CHAPTER FIVE

Dumas aching to have his mate closer. The seating arrangement helped, but he still felt far away, especially when Rowen spoke of his own perceived limitations. They were nonsense; nothing he spoke of concerned Dumas in the least. His species was interesting, as were his connections to the Wazir, a being so shrouded in mystery that his very existence is sometimes questioned. There are few people who claim to have met him.

The whiskey seemed to have relaxed him a little, but his sense of self needed some work. Everything Dumas had heard of the man was glowing and praiseworthy. Rowen did not know his own worth or his importance to those around him. His department was thrilled to have someone of his caliber working there. His success rate was not due to luck. It was due to intelligent, dogged perseverance.

He pulled back from the exquisite kiss reveling in the touch and taste of his mate but kept his hand at his neck feeling the strong muscles and the silky soft hair. Those vivid green eyes stared at him and Dumas could see the insecurities trying to force themselves back to the surface.

"You, everything you are and everything you aspire to be, please know that you will always be enough for me. I don't know where you got the idea that you were somehow less than, but understand that I will not tolerate it." Dumas searched his face and settled once again on those gorgeous green eyes. "You are a stray, and I am a hellhound, and we are destined to become one."

Before Rowen had a chance to respond, Dumas’ phone rang, and it was Master Hadden. He paused for a moment and then excused himself to take the call. He stood and walked over to the large picture window with the stunning view of the city, but he kept his eyes on his mate. Rowen sipped his drink and kept glancing around the room. He was out of his element, but he was holding firm because he wanted this as much as Dumas.

"Michael has everything in hand. The building manager, Cal Grainger, has had his mind swept and has been given memories of attacking and killing the three victims. He will turn himself over to authorities." Master Hadden took a moment and congratulated him on finding his mate. "Det. Dalhousie will be a fine addition to the coven."

"Thank you, sir, and I'll let him know the status of the case."

“The others involved are, as you know, foul magics, and Grainger gave us some valuable information about their plans. For now, enjoy your mate, and meet with me tomorrow morning to discuss this further. Please bring Detective Dalhousie with you." The Master closed the call, leaving Dumas wondering about the morning's meeting, but he soon pushed that away when he saw his mate unbuttoning his shirt and removing his tie. Rowen felt the pull forcefully as Dumas did and was not going to wait.

Dumas slipped off his jacket and then removed his tie while walking towards his mate. They stood a few feet apart with their eyes locked on one another as they slowly disrobed. Rowen was sleek and slim with toned muscles and smooth alabaster skin, and he moved with style and form like a feline.

Dumas was significantly larger than Rowen both in height and weight but based on his expressions and obvious interest Rowen definitely found him attractive. Nothing was said all communication was silent. Rowen opened his belt and slowly unzipped his pants gradually revealing a pair of sage green briefs that matched his beautiful eyes. He kicked off his shoes and dropped his pants first and then the briefs.

The stance and the stare urged Dumas to do the same. Dumas was an old soul who had lived a long life born of darkness and fire and although he was civilized in most respects there were still parts of him that tended to the wild.

Unlike Rowen, he did not wear briefs or underwear of any kind, so he was treated to a wonderful look of shock and surprise when he dropped his pants. Hellhounds were large by nature. There was no such thing as a small hellhound; they did not exist. It was also well-known that hellhounds were large in every respect. Dumas would have been worried if it weren't for Rowen's slow smile and the lustful twinkle in his eyes. He liked what he saw.

They kicked their clothing to the side and took a slow step towards each other and then stopped. “Are you ready for this Rowen?” Dumas would only give him the one warning.

“I’m ready for whatever you got to give Dumas.” Rowen’s cockiness was pleasing. Dumas much preferred this to his previous self-deprecation. Dumas ran his eyes over him, takingin every gorgeous inch. Yes, this was his mate, and he was the whole package.

"I have a lot to give, sweetheart, and I've been saving it all for you." Dumas winked, and Rowen reacted immediately, jumping into Dumas' arms and wrapping his legs around his waist. Dumas held him secure and slammed his mouth against Rowen's in a kiss that was bruising and impassioned. Dumas ate away at his mate's soft and eager lips. The air was charged and snapping with the intensity of their union.

Dumas carried him over to the wall of the living room and pressed him there gaining support and a little leverage. Rowen was not a big man, and Dumas had no trouble handling him with ease. As the kiss went on Rowen’s fingers found their way into Dumas’ hair gripping and forcing them even closer into an embrace that was breathless and exhilarating.

The energy passing between them was considerable. Rowen tightened his legs and rubbed his now stiff cock against Dumas' abdomen, and the move sent a string of sharp sensations through Dumas' system.

He quickly found Rowen's tight opening and began to massage and press until his finger slipped inside. One thing he knew about cat shifters was that, like hellhounds, they were self-lubricating with stimulation, and at this moment, he really appreciated that quality. There was no need to slow down or search for lube. Their union was on track and moving fast. Rowen did not hold back, pushing for more and grinding while Dumas stretched and prepared him.

"I'm going to take you right here," Dumas stated.

"Take me," Rowen responded in a clipped and desperate tone.

Dumas removed his fingers, confident that Rowen was ready, and moved his hips so his hard, thick cock pressed against the opening, forcing and seeking entrance. Dumas used his fingers to help guide him to his goal. He went slow, with just the head popping inside, intending to take him gradually. Then, suddenly, Dumas went into overdrive at the sensation that shot through him in response to the tight, warm embrace of his forever lover. Going slow was no longer an option.

Dumas held Rowen tightly with his back pinned to the wall while he tried to take Rowen deeper and harder and faster.

"I need more." Rowen gasped and dug his nails into Dumas' shoulders. Dumas once again slammed his lips to Rowen's and, while doing so, thrust himself deep inside his mate. The reaction was beautiful and filled Dumas with profound satisfaction.

Rowen was panting into the kiss and grabbing at Dumas' shoulders and hair and thrusting against him, attempting to control the movements, but Dumas was in control. Rowen was fraught with need and an urgency for satisfaction. He was panting hard, and Dumas forced himself to pause and began a slow thrust that gradually picked up speed, matching the rhythm of Rowen's movements. The man was coming apart in his arms, and Dumas was eating it up.

He drove his cock deep, going to the base several times and then followed with a series of rapid shallow thrusts and then repeated over and over until he built a climax on the edge, and he was rushing toward it. At the moment of impact, he came with a roar and bit down on Rowen's shoulder, locking his jaw and marking his mate. It went on for several seconds, the pressure and the erotic ecstasy, and then he felt it the minute Rowen completely shattered and sprayed his hot seed between them.

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