Ye better shift and tell her who’s boss. ′Tis past time ye mated.

I doona think anyone can tell her what ta do. And I like kenning that. I doona want a weak-willed mate. I like her spunk and sass. Aye, a good fight is stimulating, so it ′tis. I’ll take the forefront now.

Bowie took a deep breath. Cosmic waves swirled around the bear as the shifting began. Bones cracked. Some lengthened. Others shortened. His ears shifted. Fur and claws retracted. Within a minute, he was in human form again.

Pissed-off, he stood naked in front of her and didna give a good goddamn. From the time he’d held her on his lap a couple nights ago, he’d been turned on by her. When she’d called him and not 911 about Hamish leaning against her car, his protectiveness for her had increased ten-fold. His having to chase her down after she stuck her tongue out at him had his testosterone levels raging hot. Fook, he’d tasted the sweetness of her mouth, eager fer more of her while some nut kept ringing his doorbell, driving Tiny crazy. And who had the fool been?

Her!

He pointed at the gaping woman who’s gaze seemed fixated on his cock. “Ye! It was ye who kept chiming at me doorbell.”

“I…ah…I…ah—”

Pointing two fingers to his eyes, he growled, “Up here! Me face is up here, nae down between me legs. Look me in the eyes when ye speak ta me.” He was so damn horny fer her he could barely speak a coherent sentence. What the bloody hell did he care where she looked.

Her gaze snapped to his. “I never expected the shifting process to be like that. I just thought it would happen in the blink of an eye. You know, really sudden like and I guess it was, but there was all this bone snapping and body changes to watch, Fur to see disappear. It was totally epic. Then suddenly you’re standing nude in front of me with that massive hard-on that seems to get longer and thicker the more I look at it.”

“Are ye going ta keep talking?”

His gaze had dropped to her nipples pebbled under her sleep shirt.

Just as he’d done a minute earlier, she pointed to her eyes. “My face. Look at my face when you speak to me.”

He took two steps closer. “How did you get me doorbell to ring over and over last night and again this morning?”

“Effie bought it for me. She thought I should have one like yours. But I couldn’t hear it ring. I flipped the batteries and slid a tab and tried pushing it again. It still wasn’t making any noise. The best I could deduce was it was on the same frequency as yours…” she lifted her open hands in a helpless gesture, “my tapping the button made yours ring. I mean, who knew?”

She glanced away and sighed. She tried her best not to ogle his impressive junk again, but her gaze—damn traitor that it was—turned pure cockeyed. She cleared her throat. “As for this morning, that was more or less a joke.”

Bowie slapped his hands to his hips. “A joke, ye say?” His voice boomed. “Tiny and I practically tore apart the foyer to Earnan’s house because ye were playing a feckin’ joke?” He spun to glance at the damage in the entry. His head hung. “How will I explain this to him?

“Ye’ve had me walking around so aroused I canna think straight. While in return, ye wanna push me over the feckin’ edge with a ring-a-ding gag?”

“I’d like to ring-a-ding your ass! Look, my judgment may have been flawed. Because of that, I’ll pay Earnan for the damages. My badass side sometimes makes me do things I shouldn’t. Now, please leave my space and go back to your regular running routine. We need time apart to calm down.”

“Would a walk along the bay this afternoon, help calm ye? Maybe an honest talk about why we piss each other off so often would help. I ken I promised ye lunch, but I need ta speak ta all the schools this morning. I want to spend a lot of time at secondary schools. Both public and private. Those students are at that impressionable age. If I can help them to develop a hardened skin fer gangs, I’ll be doing something important.”

Bowie really was a humanitarian. He cared about people. Made sure they were safe.

“Your idea about a walk on the beach sounds great, but do you think we can be around each other that long without fighting about something?”

He smiled. “I’ll pick ye up at two. We’re both intelligent people. Think of the book ye loved the most when ye were ten or twelve years old. We’ll discuss both our favs. Then we’ll move on ta why we rub each other the wrong way at times.”

It was hard to believe a few minutes ago they were ready to rip each other apart. “Two o’clock, it is. And, Bowie?”

He was on his way out and she refused to stare at his ass. “I’m sorry about the doorass incident.” She moaned and covered her eyes with her hands.

“Cammy.” She looked up and two of his fingers pointed to his eyes.

They were both laughing when they separated. Cameo did her best to lock her door and went back to her bed. What was it with them? Sometimes they got along really well. Other times they were like two alligators snapping at each other. She respected his many fine qualities. A body that took her breath away. He was twenty degrees beyond handsome. But he was also smart and he knew it.

After she woke up and showered, she fed and put fresh water down for KeeKee. Once she had a pot of coffee brewing, she gathered her courage and called her landlord.

“Earnan, it’s Cameo. I’m calling ye about some damages I want to pay for. I feel like such a jerk, but sometimes Bowie says things that make me mad and before I know it, I’m doing something stupid.”

“I’m listening, child.” There was always such tenderness in his voice.

“Effie bought me a wireless doorbell like Bowie has.” She told him the whole story and Earnan started laughing. No wonder he loved his pink-haired wife; he was just as daffy. Did he get the giggles like that in the middle of operations?

In the background Effie asked him what was so funny and he told her, They both had a chuckle fest over her inability to get the doorbell to work. “This morning when Bowie’s bear hit the floor, I ran out to your desk where the doorbell lay and pressed the button a few times. Just as a joke, you know? Tiny and the bear charged out of the apartment, got their legs tangled and fell down the steps. They kicked some of the spindles out of the stairway and knocked down the front door.”

“My God. That’s a heavy door!”

“I didn’t know if you had a special carpenter you usually use. I don’t know anyone to call. I promise I’ll pay for all damages.”

“Calm down. I’ll call me carpenter. Anything else?”

“The bear heard me giggling and kicked my door in. The hinges might need replaced.” Things just got worse and worse the more she had to tell him.

“Did the bear scare ye?”

She poured a cup of coffee. “No, he shifted in front of me. I got to see his junk and everything.” Crap, I shouldn’t have said that.

Earnan sputtered his response to Effie and they did their hyena impersonations again.

“If I’m not here when you bring the carpenter by, don’t worry about it. Just make sure I get the bill. I’m very sorry.”

“You look tired. Did the high school students wear you out?” Cameo held her door open for Bowie to come in. Tiny decided to wait in the foyer, his big eyes focused on KeeKee who lay on the back of one of the leather chairs. “Is he going with us on our walk?”

“Yeah, he could use the exercise and yes the students murdered me three times. Bloody hell, they were difficult. Are ye ready fer some fresh air and sea mist in yer face?” She nodded, concerned about his pale appearance. He wore a sweater, jeans, and a fleece-lined jean jacket. Boots laced up to his calves.

Perfect gentleman that he could be, he slipped her jacket off the desk chair and held it for her to slip on. “Ye might need a scarf unless ye want me ta keep kissing yer pretty neck to keep it warm.”

“Oh? And where is your scarf?” She peered under the lapels of his jacket.

“I’m waiting fer the kissing.” He winked at her and then jerked his head toward the doorway as he whispered. “I think someone else is waiting, too.

Cameo glanced in the direction he indicated. KeeKee sat on her side of the threshold, staring at Tiny, who sat spellbound. It was too comical. It really was the way this kitten could command this big dog.

“Let’s go Cammy before I start keeping yer neck warm here.”

The breezes off the bay were refreshing, but not as invigorating as the sound of the gentle waves. “This is so beautiful, Bowie.” He wrapped his arm around her shoulders as they leisurely walked along. He’d toss a Frisbee and Tiny would chase it down. If a dog could smile, he did.

Bowie gave the Frisbee an extra hard toss. “Okay. Let’s have it. Yer favorite book when ye were ten and why.”

“’Roots’ by Alex Haley. It taught me more about the will to survive and to find oneself than anything I’ve read before or since. I was going through my read a little of everything phase at the time. Architecture. Mythology. History of the world. Oh, and my musicians’ period—Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, and Lisk. Now, you.”

“’The World and Dr. Einstein.’ I can’t recall who wrote it only that it opened a new world for me. I read it four times. It made me want to read more on the subject. I devoured every book on science I could get me hands on.”

“Why didn’t you become a scientist? I can tell you’re very intelligent. The world could have used you.”

He kissed her nose. “I was piss-poor in math. I still am. Put a math formula in front of me and me mind shuts down.”

They talked about everything and anything, but why they couldn’t get along at times. “Cammy, luv, I needed this so much. Fer a couple hours me mind is off keeping the citizens of Matheville safe from HSS. The water calms me. Ye calm me.”

Soon, Tiny handed the Frisbee to Bowie and walked by his side. A sign he was tired.

“What do ye say we go home, shower the brine and sand off, and change into relaxing clothes. I’ll order in pizza and we’ll watch a movie in me apartment. I noticed you doona have one. Bring the beast with ye. I suspect she’ll be in a pout that ye went away with Tiny and left her at home alone.”

“Sounds like a great idea. A pajama party.” Now, why did she say that?

He studied her for a moment. “Aye, a pajama party.”

KeeKee really was in a pout when Cameo got home. She laid in her basket and wouldn’t even look at her. She offered her a treat and she turned her head in the other direction. After refilling her bowls, Cameo headed for the shower. Drying her hair took forever, as always. Maybe she needed a good trim. She put on a pair of pajamas with a mint green top and green bottoms with pink frogs. By now KeeKee was sprawled out on the bed, watching her movements. Cameo slipped into her blue fuzzy slippers, scooped the kitty into her arms to make over her, and headed out the door.

She knocked on Bowie’s door and he snatched it open. Cameo burst out laughing. He wore pajamas, too. A black top with red lip prints and black pants with lipstick prints all over them. “Oh, I love them. They are so you.”

Tiny ran off and returned with a squeaky plastic hamburger as if to offer it to KeeKee. Cameo put her down and the kitten went on a sniffing expedition, trying her best to ignore the dog.

Bowie hugged her and gave her a gentle kiss. “I already ordered the pizza. Half your way and half mine. And I’ve got the movie all qued up. The food ought to be here any minute. Did you notice the carpenter fixed the front door? I guess it’ll take a while with the spindles.” The doorbell rang, Tiny barked, and KeeKee jumped two feet straight up in the air.

He had plates, napkins, and four beers in the middle of the coffee table. A huge “man-sized” TV hung on the wall. His tan leather sofa hugged two walls and appeared to have a recliner at each end. A picture of Tiny as a pup decorated one wall and one of the Universe dominated the other.

Bowie charged up the steps with a huge pizza box. He wafted the lid. “Only the best cuisine for my woman.”

She wasn’t so sure whether to take it as a joke or not. Her half was extra cheese and mushroom; his was a mountain of everything. Tiny came over to sniff and Bowie pointed a finger at him. He didn’t say a word. Tiny hung his head and went back to dragging out toys for the cat he was trying to impress.

Bowie pressed a button on the remote and the first episode of “Roots” started. He remembered. She snuggled closer with her plate of pizza and slipped off her slippers. They commented here and there as they ate. He asked if she wanted to stay for the second episode and she said yes.

Cameo woke up in the wee hours of the morning. They were wrapped around each other. His erection was probing her abdomen. The badass side came out to play and her hand slipped under the elastic of his bottoms. She wrapped her hand around its steely softness and made one slid down.

“Cammy,” his voice sounded as if he’d gargled with razor blades and was sexy as hell. She slid her hand back up to his mushroom head. “You ken I’ve fallen in love with ye.”

She kissed his neck. “You don’t have to lie about love to get sex. Let’s just enjoy each other.”

“Ye think I would lie about something so important. I’ve never told another woman, except me ma, that I loved her. Yer the first. Yer also the woman I’m going to mate and fook it all, I’m mating ye now. If ye doona want it, say nae now and I’ll stop. Otherwise, I’m making ye mine.” He rolled her over. “Did stroking me cock get ye excited? I can smell yer juices. Yer turned on, too. I’m going to take ye now. Fast and hard.” His hand slid down the inside of her sleep pants and fingers slid through her slick slit.

His hand slipped under her pajama bottoms. “Aye, yer wet.” A finger circled around her clit. “Speak ta me. What do ye want? It’ll be a full on mating. Yer be exclusively mine afterwards.” Two fingers slipped into her wet, tight channel and her insides quivered.

“Say it. Which do ye want?” he growled. “Tell me ta stop or tell me ta make ye feel things no other man can ever do.”

Cameo pulled off her top. Her eyes were passion-hazed and her voice sultry low. “Make me feel, Bowie.”

He bent to his knees and jerked off her pajama bottoms. His hands slowly trailed up her fantastic legs, clasping her ass cheeks and bringing her to his mouth where his tongue made a long, slow swipe through her slit—and another and fook, he lost count. The groans and mewling that rolled from her throat nearly drove him insane.

“More. Oh, please, more. And don’t be so slow about it.”

A slow smile spread. After all she’d put him and Tiny through with that bloody doorbell, he should make her beg. Unfortunately, right at this moment, his cock was begging, pulsing with an all consuming need. He ran his tongue through her neatly trimmed red curls again and circled her clit over and over while she murmured things nae one could ever understand, When he sucked on her bud, she screamed his name, grabbed his hair, and shuddered over and over.

“Drape yer legs over me shoulders. Yer wet fer me. I love how ye glisten. I ken yer going to be tight, making every stroke pure heaven.” He stroked himself as he talked and she watched with desire in her eyes.

Once he had his hands on her hips, he absorbed the loveliness of every inch of her. “Ye are so beautiful; beyond that, luv. Me awkward words canna tell ye how exquisite ye are. Now put the head of me cock at yer entrance and I’ll slowly slide in. I willna be gentle, but if I hurt ye, tell me and I’ll stop.”

She cupped his face. “I’ll be fine. Fuck me.” She slid his cock to where she wanted it and raised her hips.

He sank into her, closing his eyes so he could relish every drop of her juices, every inch of her tightness, and every spasm of her muscles. As soon as he was balls deep, he stopped with his forehead against hers. “I’ve never felt a woman like ye. This is our mating ceremony. Once I cum, ye will belong ta me forever.” Slowly he pulled out until just his large head remained and then he shoved back in until her moan reached his ears. With every repeat of the action, he increased his speed, bringing him closer to losing his mind. He was creating an endless union.

Cameo’s thighs began to tremble. She called his name in desire’s need.

“Cum, Cammy. Cum fer me.”

Her inner walls spasmed and milked him. Hot, electrical shocks traveled down his spine and heated his balls before his climax claimed all his senses. Another woman could never measure up ta her. He slipped her legs from his shoulders and wrapped them around his waist while his seemingly endless erotic beat pulsed from him into her. “Baby,” He kissed her gently over and over as his breathing slowly returned to normal. Then he carried her to his bed.

To his surprise, Tiny and KeeKee laid together on the bed. “Beat it. Go.” He chased them out and closed the door.

When Bowie crawled into bed, Cameo was on her side curled a way from him. He brushed her hair aside and kissed the back of her neck and shoulders. He curled around her.

She moaned in enjoyment, wiggling her arse against his hardening cock. “You’re still naked.”

He cupped one of her ample breasts and pinched her nipple. “So are ye. There’s nae part of your body that isna perfect.” His palm stroked down her side. “Ye have skin made fer touching. Soft. Silky. So sensual a man would lose his righteous mind if he couldna touch ye again.” He ran his cock along her slit, her juices coating him. Kisses feathered her upper arms and the inside of her elbows down to her wrists and onto each finger.

Her breathing panted as if she wanted more and he intended to give her what she desired.

“Roll over on yer stomach and raise on yer knees. Put yer hands beside yer head so I can clasp them once I get inside ye.” He raised her hips to where he wanted them and pushed inside her. At first, he held her hands and used a slow rhythm that felt so feckin’ good he hoped he could keep from cumming fer a long time. “We belong ta each other. Jest ye and me. Forever.”

He released her hands and grabbed her hips, pounding into her harder and harder. “Tell me. Tell me, yer mine. Me mate.”

Did he really mean what he was saying? In the passion of the moment, she replied. “I’m yours. Just give me time to get used to it.”

“Nae time. This is our mating night.” His hands slipped under her breasts and fingered her nipples. “From now on, we belong ta each other.” The headboard knocked against the wall, he was shoving into her so hard.

“I’m almost there,” she breathed. She began to shake.

He moved his fingers to her slit and circled her clit. Finally, he pressed it with her thumb, and she climaxed. Her muscles cramped around him and he reached his release, too. He rolled onto his side, pulling her with him. It took him several minutes for his breath to calm enough he could utter one word. “Phenomenal.”

KeeKee’s meek meow and Tiny’s quiet bark was the next thing they heard. Bowie rolled Cammy toward his chest. “Just how are we going to handle this? Ignore them? Or open the door? What we do tonight sets a pattern fer the rest of our lives. We sleep together from now on. Alone or with the pets. Ye decide.”

“Oh sure, make me the bad parent.”

KeeKee voiced her wishes louder. Tiny pawed the door. Bowie glanced at her with a grin. She slapped his pec. “Alright, open the door. And it’s your fault they’re getting spoiled.” He laughed. “Dinna think I’m going to be yer kicking post.” He stopped, turned his face to her, and grinned. “Although a licking post would be nice.”

She stuck her tongue out.

“Och, ye would dare tease yer mate?” He opened the bedroom door. The two pets slowly stepped in. Bowie shook his finger at them. “Stay until I call ye into the bed.” He hurried back under the covers and wrapped his arms his mate. “Okay, KeeKee and Tiny, come, get in bed.” Tiny plopped on the mattress and circled twice before lying down next to Bowie’s legs. KeeKee lightly landed on Cameo’s pillow and snuggled next to her head, purring as she pawed at her owner’s red hair.

Tiny’s wet nose and tongue woke Bowie from a deep sleep. “What is it?” The dog moaned and circled once. “Ye need ta take a piss?” The dog jumped off the bed and whined.

“I better take KeeKee downstairs so she can use her liter box.”

* * *

“Sounds good. We’ll heat up the sheets down there, too.” His hand rubbed over her firm arse before he slipped on a pair of knit boxers. He opened the back door and Tiny barely made it down the steps. After he whistled the dog back inside, Bowie unplugged his phone from the charger and the two headed downstairs and the smell of coffee. .

Two empty mugs sat in front of the maker. A beautiful, homey sight. God she was cute as a basket of pups with her bed hair all bushed out. He’d taken her again with the animals in bed with them. “Zoo sex,” he’d called it. Bloody hell, he loved this woman. He filled her mug first and pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Good morning, luv.”

His cell rang. It was Kendric. “Bowie, get down to headquarters right away. Somehow Hamish McFee got hold of a gun and killed both cops on duty last night. I came in to finish some paperwork only to find Clyde and Willis shot and dragged into Hamish’s cell.”

“Clyde and Willis? I dinna believe it. Two of our oldest men, but sharp just the same.” Bowie was having a hard time comprehending their deaths. He’d ken them since he was a teenager.

Kendric continued. “The night desk clerk was beheaded. Bloody hell, man, I can’t find her head. I’ve looked everywhere. I canna find Morna’s head” There was a touch of panic in Kendric’s voice. “Fook, there’s blood everywhere.”

Bowie was going to be sick. Good men and a woman dead. “Has ta be the HSS. I’ll be there as soon as I can. Did ye call the Chief and Creighton?”

“Aye. They’re on their way, too.”

“Lock the doors and start taking pictures.” He ended the call and looked at his mate. “There’s been a hellofa catastrophe at the police station sometime last night. Somehow, Hamish got a gun and killed two officers. Someone used a machete on the desk clerk Morna and cut off her head.”

Cammy’s hand went to her mouth and she kept shaking her head as if she couldna believe it. “I keep forgetting the dangers of your job.”

Bowie drained his mug. “I have to go.” He rushed upstairs get dressed. What kind of horrific mess would he find at headquarters? When he charged back down the steps, she was in the foyer with a thermos of coffee. She could be so thoughtful.

Bowie was on the phone. He ken he looked disheveled and tense enough to explode. “Hold on. Let me tell the woman who had the dream. He held the phone to his chest. It’s Angus Matheson. He just found three of his sheep beheaded.”

“Oh, good Lord, has the whole community gone insane? Give him my name and number and have him call me. You have to be at the police department. There’s more important things for you to see to there. I’ll handle the man and the loss of his sheep as best as I can. Go. Do your job.” She waved him out as he gave Angus her contact information.

* * *

She pulled out fresh clothes for the day. Her cell rang and she answered.

“Cameo Stone? Are ye the woman with the dreams?” His voice shook as if he were scared. “Detective Bowie Matheson told me I should call ye for help. Three of me sheep were killed just as ye dreamed.”

“Oh, sir, I’m so sorry. What is your name?”

“Angus Mathbear.” He sobbed. “Can ye come to me farm? Here’s the directions how to get here.” She jotted them as he recited the twists and turns to her.

After a hot bath to ease the soreness in her girly bits, she pulled on jeans and a law school sweatshirt. Her doorbell rang as she was tying her sneakers. She jumped. She didn’t even know her doorbell was up and working.

“We came by to see how much the carpenter got accomplished yesterday afternoon. Looks better, “ Earnan said.

“Come in and sit down. I’ve got bad news to tell you. Kendric called from the police station. He found two policemen shot to death and the woman at the front desk decapitated.” Both collapsed into the chairs at the window. Shock evident on their faces.

Earnan leaned forward. “This canna be. Nae here. Do ye ken their names?”

“Clyde and Willis.”

Earnan hung his head. “Feckin’ hell. Two good men. They were a few years behind me in school.”

“The desk person was a woman named Morna. Kendric was frantic. He couldn’t find her head. He asked Bowie to come down right away. The prisoner with the tattoos was gone. No one knows how he got out.”

“The man who was here? With the black aura?” Effie snuggled KeeKee. “Earnan, you better go. They’ll need your help.”

“There’s more,” Cameo said. “Just as Bowie was ready to charge out, Angus Mathbear called. Three of his sheep had been beheaded. Bowie gave him my number and told him to call me with the information.”

“Ye mean Angus Matheson.”

“No, he told me Mathbear. I have it written on the directions he gave me.” Cameo went for the paper she’d made notes of everything on. She handed it to Earnan. “See? I wrote his name and directions down here.”

Earnan stared at it for a minute. “This is nae how ye get ta his farm. That’s why he gave ye the wrong name. He was sending ye a signal.” He shook the paper. “This is all a trap. Hell has come to Matheville. We could all be in danger.”

The old doctor could be wrong or confused. There were so many farms around here. She loved touring the area in her little car. Her dream of hitting Bowie who was chasing the man with the sawed off shotgun came back to her. Tiny moved and leaned against her leg. She’d forgotten the dog was still there and reached out to pet him.

Earnan called Bowie to tell him about the signal Angus had given Cameo. He read the wrong directions given her to Angus’s farm. They talked a little more.

He handed his cell to Cameo. “Bowie wants to talk to ye. He sounds like he’s wound tighter than a cheap watch.”

“Bowie? How bad is it?”

“Cammy. Talk to me about anything but this. Ye’ve nae idea the things I’ve had ta do so far. Just let me hear your sweet voice. It’ll help calm me.”

What could she talk about when all she could think of was him and the horrible mess he was in? “Tiny’s leaning against my leg, getting his ears scratched.”

“Lucky bastard.”

“I have a doorbell that works. Won’t you be happy? Earnan and Effie just dropped by to see how much he got accomplished yesterday.” There was a pause while she thought of something to say. “I’m thinking of getting my hair cut. It takes so long to dry.” What a dumb thing to say to a man facing dead bodies and surrounded by blood. Yet he’d told her to talk.

“Nae today. And doona try to find Angus’s farm. Promise me. Stay inside today. Make me some Scottish Bubbles and Squeak Patties for when I get home.”

She had no clue how to make them, but surely she could find the recipe on the Internet. “You got it big boy.”

“God, Cammy, I love ye. I needed a minute of normalcy from ye before me nerves snapped. Those men were me friends fer years. They were great ta work with. Morna got married a year ago. They had ta put her poor husband under sedation. I’m going ta hold ye all night long whenever I get home. I’m keeping the woman I love close to me.” He ended the call.