Page 11 of The Hellhound's Mate
“Find me later for lunch.” I headed up the basement stairs.
“I will,” Saph said with a little extra growliness, and I knew I’d be getting dessert, too.
Exactly one hour later, as I sat on the front porch with a cup of coffee and the remains of my hastily-concocted breakfast, Mister Historical Society tottered down my walkway, heading right for me. The man had that same threatening smile on his face as I watched his pale eyes take in everything about me.
I’d dressed far finer than I would’ve on a normal Friday morning, but I was feeling lordly and a little petty, so my clothes matched my level of haughtiness. The last time I’d worn this vest, jacket, and slacks, I’d gone to an awards presentation and walked an actual red carpet. I’d even brought my walking stick out with me and aimed the red-eyed lion’s head in Dick’s direction. I crossed my legs and showed all of my teeth as I smiled at him.
“Well, hello there,” Dick said as he came up the front steps. “You must be the new owner.”
“That I am. Ambrose Augustine,” I said as I gestured to the empty chair opposite me and directly in the path of a morning sunbeam.
The man sat, blinked several times as the sun shot him in the face, and then got up to sit on the other side of the table next to me. Dick gave a fake laugh. “It’s a bit bright over there.”
“Is it?” I took a sip of my coffee.
Dick cleared his throat. “As I said before, I’m Richard Madison, president of the Lake County Historical Society. I’d like to discuss your plans for this beautiful and historical home.”
“How do you mean?”
“Pardon?”
“This is myhome. I live here.” I cocked his head at Dick, frowning. “What plans do you think I could have beyond that?”
Dick sat up a little straighter. “The historical society wants to ensure that you maintain the historical nature of the building. It’s such a stellar example of the gothic revival era, and we would just hate to see that destroyed.”
Alright, that was something we could agree on. I relaxed just a touch. “I have no plans to change a single thing about the house, grounds, or cemetery.”
“Excellent!” The man actually beamed as he set his clipboard on his knees and said, “And when can we schedule the first tour?”
So much for any kind of kinship. “There won’t be any tours.”
His smile stayed fixed on his face as he said, “But we can’t deprive the public of access to such an important historical building. I assure you that they’ll be the sort of people who can be trusted.”
Well, that sounded rude. Fixing him with a glare, I firmly said, “We can and we will deprive them because this is my private home and studio. I won’t have anyone invading these safe spaces just so they can ogle the crown molding.”
“All the owners of homes such as this have already agreed to allow tours. If you’ll just choose a date, then we can?—”
“Listen to me carefully, Dick,” I said with my own sharp smile. “No tours. Ever. If you or any of your fellow society members bring anyone to this house at any time of day or night for a tour, I’ll call the police and have each and every one of you arrested for trespassing.”
The man’s smile finally disappeared. “The historical society is a well-respected organization that brings in quite a lot of tourist income for the area. Threatening that income will not go over well with the local police or governing?—”
A vicious growl thundered a moment before Saph came around the corner of the porch. Dick flinched and looked for the source, while I bit my bottom lip and tracked Saph’s approach. He was hunched over and walking on all fours, his tail held high and stiff, looking thoroughly demonic as he snarled and kept growling, his chest glowing brightly.
Dick popped up out of his chair, eyes wide and scanning the area. “Do you have a dog? Secure it immediately!”
“A dog?” I asked innocently. “There’s no dog here.”
“This isn’t a joke,” the man snapped. “If it attacks me, I’ll sue!”
Saph gave a particularly terrible bark that sounded like he was about to tear something apart. Dick edged toward the stairs, while I crossed my legs to try and hide my burgeoning erection.
“Mister Madison, are you well?”
Saph walked right up onto the porch and got behind the man before releasing a low and dangerous growl. I shivered and bit my bottom lip. Dick gave a holler and bolted for the stairs. He didn’t stop running until he’d gone through the wrought iron gate and snapped it behind himself.
“I can scent your arousal,” Saph whispered with a grin.
“I bet you can,” I said quietly and while moving my lips as little as possible since Dick might still be able to see me. I gave the man a wave, and Dick visibly huffed before walking away.
