FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Evening was descending over the city, the sky turning a hazy orange as the sun set on the horizon. Ben was on his way home, sitting all alone in the empty back of a bus. He was completely drained, drenched in sweat from spending an entire day in a dress shirt and thick black suit jacket, and deeply disappointed. Ever since he had broken up with his girlfriend Janice half a year ago, his life had been steadily going downhill as if he had been cursed. Just a week later after the breakup, he had lost his job, only to spend an entire summer in vain looking for a new one. Today's failed interview was just another setback in a never-ending series of setbacks. Unfortunately, his mental and financial reserves were running low and he had only a week or two left before he had to drastically cut his expenses and eventually find a new smaller and more affordable place to live.

The hiss of the brakes briefly snapped Ben out of his thoughts as the bus held at the next stop, the doors opening to spew two dozen people onto the sidewalk. He grimaced as their excited chatter filled his ears, voices brimming with happiness and content that drove a sting of envy through his heart. With a huff, he stared out of the window at the passing traffic, trying to ignore their jolly faces and carefree smiles as he drowned himself in self-pity.

More footsteps filled the bus as a new gush of passengers entered the vehicle, dispersing and dividing the vacant seats among themselves, slowly making their way to the back as they filled row after row. Ben desperately hoped that none of them would feel the urge to claim the vacant seat next to him, but fate didn't even grant him that wish. His pouting was interrupted by a sonorous voice as someone stepped up and asked, "Excuse me, but is that seat taken already?"

Ben sighed and rolled with his eyes before he forced a fake smile and turned around. "Oh, no, it isn't. Please, take a seat, sir," he singsonged while examining the inquirer, a tall mature Doberman in a white shirt and black dress pants. Something about the male in front of him felt oddly familiar, like someone he once knew. The office worker returned his gaze with furrowed brows and blinked in confusion when he, too, began to recognize Ben as well.

Suddenly, the canine's face lit up with a smile and he cheered, "Oh, hey, it's you, Ben! I didn't expect to see you here, boy."

"Um, h-hey? Do we know each other? I'm sorry, but I think I might have forgotten your name. Who are you again?"

The worker chuckled as he took a seat next to him, getting comfortable and leaning back before he faced him with a curious glint in his brown eyes. "I'm Mark, Janice's dad. Do you remember me now?"

"Oh... Oh!" Ben muttered as his confusion cleared. "I'm so sorry, I should've known you. It's just..."

"Aw, hey, don't worry about it, boy. It's been a while since we last saw each other. Though, your fancy outfit does make me curious. Where did you just come from? How are you doing? How's it going with your life?"

Ben's faux smile derailed and a thick lump formed in his throat. Of course, that had to be the first question that came up but he wasn't really in the mood for talking, especially not about his failures over the past few months. Perhaps he should lie, tell Mark that everything was alright and that he was simply tired from a day at work, nipping any attempt at conversation in the bud. However, the worried look on the Doberman's face told him that this lie probably wouldn't convince him, so he came clean, "To be honest, it's going pretty shit lately."

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. Are you having trouble at work?"

A tormented laugh escaped Ben's lips. "Having work in the first place would be a start. I've lost my job about a week after I broke up with your daughter. Haven't found anything since. See that suit? Tried to be all fancy during the job interview, but still didn't work."

"Ah, dang. I didn't know that. Again, I'm sorry, Ben."

"No worries. You couldn't possibly have known. I mean, how should you? You're my ex's dad. We probably would never have met again if it weren't for my job interview today."

Mark nodded with pressed lips and turned away, staring awkwardly at the gray plastic of the seat in front of him. This probably wasn't the most pleasant way for either of them to end their conversation, but Ben was glad that the canine didn't follow up with another remark. Every second he spent dwelling on his failures burned a deeper hole in his already battered confidence. He turned in the other direction and continued to gaze out the window, drowning himself in more self-pity.

"Um, Ben. I don't know much about your situation, but you look really miserable. I just wanted to let you know that if you ever need any help, for whatever reason, you're always welcome to pass by and stay for a bit, no questions asked. My door is always open for you if you need it."

Ben winced, couldn't that dog let him be? He didn't want someone else's pity for his mistakes. But after mulling over the offer for a while, curiosity got the better of him, "I- I mean, I appreciate the offer, but why would you do that? There's no reason for you to do anything for me after I... well, after I broke up with Janice."

"My offer has nothing to do with your relationship with my daughter, Ben. I do appreciate that you split up on even terms and without much drama, but that's it," the Doberman clarified with a warm smile. "No, this offer comes from me personally. You're a decent guy, Ben. So much I learned when I had the pleasure of getting to know you, and I'd hate to see you and your talents go to waste."

Mark's unconditional benevolence overwhelmed the young man. Ben hadn't expected their occasional encounters to leave such a lasting impression on him. "I mean, that's nice of you, but what would Janice say if I simply popped up at her doorstep after half a year of nothing?"

"Oh, so that's your main concern?" Mark laughed. "You don't need to worry then. She's left the country a couple of months ago to study abroad, so you won't run into her anytime soon. Also, before you ask, we've got a guest room that you can use if you like. I don't expect you to sleep in her room while she's away. That would be... inconsiderate for both of you."

Even after so long, hearing that she was gone and far away still stung in his heart, but it also made the offer all the more tempting. After all, he was forced to look for a new place to stay before the month was over anyway. On the other hand, simply taking his ex's place and living on her parents' dime was wrong, wasn't it? "I don't know. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the offer, but it doesn't feel like the right thing to do. I don't want to become anyone's burden, you know?"

"Look, I wouldn't have made you such an offer if I considered you a burden, boy. I'd rather see it as an investment," Mark objected firmly.

Casting a glance at the houses passing outside, Ben realized that his stop was up next. He shook his head and sighed, "I'm sorry, Mark. That's just all so sudden and I have to get off in about a minute. Would you mind...?"

"Of course, here you go." His ex's father swiveled in his seat and let him through, but not without one last remark. "Just remember, my offer isn't tied to anything. If you do make a decision at some point, in a week or a month, don't hesitate to stop by. Door's open for you, Ben, alright?"

"I... maybe I'll consider it. Thanks. It was nice talking to you, Mark. Goodbye."

The bus had already stopped, the doors were open and waiting. Ben nodded curtly before hasting to the exit, only half hearing the Doberman's farewell greeting before he stumbled out of the vehicle and into the advanced twilight. Mere seconds later, the doors shut close and the bus departed, leaving him alone on the sidewalk. His eyes tracked the vehicle until it turned around the next corner and escaped his sight once and for all. Still, the encounter and Mark's offer kept occupying his thoughts. The day had been terrible from start to finish, but now there was a small glimmer of hope in the distance. At least he had gained a safety net if all else failed.

***

The face of the city shifted dramatically over the next two weeks. The warm afterglow of summer had faded completely and was replaced by a chilling cold and a storm of decaying leaves, as fall had gained an iron grip on the weather. Shivering and wrapped in a tight black winter jacket, Ben studied his notes one last time and took a deep breath, trying to muster the courage to knock on the large white door. The young man stood in front of one of the many elegant row houses in one of the city's posh neighborhoods, a red plastered building with tall windows, fancy white ornamentation, and a venerable aura, the home of his ex's parents. After thinking hard about Mark's offer and suffering a couple more setbacks -- he was set to lose his apartment in about two weeks -- Ben had finally decided to take him up on it. After all, he didn't have much to lose, and his current prospects were as bleak as the weather forecast.

Just as he was about to knock, a new wave of doubt flooded his mind and he withdrew his hand from the door again. Clenching his fists, he stepped away and turned a few aimless circles in Mark's narrow front yard, trudging through the heaps of fallen leaves. What if the canine had forgotten about the offer? He would turn him away anyway, just like his ex and every interviewer so far. He never had any luck and this wouldn't change today, would it? Oh, he should've said yes last time they met. He was so stupid!

A sudden click pulled Ben out of his desolate thoughts. He jerked around and saw the doorknob turn before the door swung open to reveal a familiar Doberman. Mark was dressed in training gear, wearing blue shorts and a white muscle shirt that left large parts of his beefy, sweaty body exposed. Ben had never before noticed just how ripped that male really was, but with his ex around, he had never really had the time to care.

"Ben? I was already wondering why there was a person wandering around in the front yard. Tell me, why are you here, still out in the cold, and haven't knocked yet?"

Ben's face turned bright red and he stared at the floor, wanting to curl up and die on the spot. So the dog had noticed him and had been watching him act like a creep on his property for the last couple of minutes. Way to make a grand first impression. He didn't even know how to respond, unwilling to tell the truth and admit his self-doubts. Fortunately, the canine didn't require an explanation to figure out his intentions.

"Are you here because of my offer?"

Ben's lips were still sealed with burning shame, but he managed a quick nod. Mark's surprise was gone by now, replaced by a glowing smile and a chuckle. "Wonderful! I'm happy to see you, boy, and please, come inside. I don't want to make conversation on the doorstep," he spoke and stepped aside, inviting him with a sweeping gesture. "Besides, you look like you could use some warmth."

Ben complied without further ado and slipped past the Doberman into the small atrium. A sigh escaped his lips as the first gust of hot air enveloped him, permeating his jacket and warming his cold limbs. However, the relief of physical warmth was nothing compared to the relief he experienced from his host's unconditional invitation. Mark had asked no unpleasant questions, hadn't mocked him or scolded him for his peculiar behavior, and hadn't forgotten the offer or turned him away. Perhaps his recent drawbacks had made him a little too pessimistic, but Ben was genuinely thankful for this ray of hope.

After removing his winter attire, he followed Mark down a narrow hallway into a large, cozy living room, furnished with ornate oak furniture, wide, dark red sofas, and a large rug on the floor. There was a blue workout mat spread out in the center with two dumbbells sitting next to it. Two tall windows flooded the interior with light, the view on the empty street and cloudy sky obscured by a translucent curtain."If you'll excuse me for a moment. I'll get you something to warm your insides. Do you prefer coffee or hot chocolate?" Mark asked as he seated his guest in the largest, softest armchair and pushed him right next to the radiator.

"Uh, um... hot chocolate?"

"Alright, one hot chocolate coming up."

The canine was gone before Ben could say or ask anything else. Left alone in the nifty living room, he leaned back in the armchair and let out a deep sigh. His host's hospitality amazed him more and more, and he hoped that this was a good sign for things to come. While he waited, his eyes wandered over the walls, each of them decorated with impressive, colorful landscape images, and it took him a second look to realize that they weren't painted but artfully embroidered. He had never noticed them before, but he also hadn't spent much time in any room other than his ex's bedroom anyway.

Heavy footsteps heralded Mark's return. "Here you are! Enjoy it while it's hot, but try not to burn yourself," he chuckled as he placed a tray with two cups of steaming hot chocolate on the coffee table. Then he threw himself down on the couch next to Ben and asked with a big smile, "So, you're here because you want a stay?"

Ben returned his question with an awkward nod. He didn't just want it, he needed it, but he wasn't keen on admitting that fact. "Yeah, things have remained tough. A day ago, I remembered your offer and thought... well, maybe you would let me stay for a few weeks or so?"

"Just a few weeks? So you want to leave in the middle of winter? You sure that's a good idea?"

"Well, I don't want to overstay my welcome. I just want to stay until I find a new place to live. And maybe a new job."

"You're still looking? Sorry to hear that, boy. But again, you can stay as long as you like, and I'll even help you find a new apartment and job if you like. I'm not letting you go before you're set and ready to unleash your true potential, you hear me?" The Doberman's voice had become serious, and he had sat back up, looking Ben straight in the eye.

The canine's persistence surprised the young man. The offer just felt too good to be true, and he was now even more hesitant to accept. He truly wished he could see the same potential in himself that Mark saw because the last few months had convinced him that he likely wasn't worth the effort. And yet, he hadn't come here just to give up because of his self-doubt. Besides, he was pretty sure that his host wouldn't let him go anyway. Not after he had told him about his current troubles. "I mean... Yes, I would greatly appreciate the help. I still don't know why you're willing to do all of this but sure."

"Listen, Ben. You're underselling yourself. You're a mighty fine lad, you just need some... help to get started. Don't worry, everybody falls in their life at some point, but as long as you get back up, it goes on, and I'm here to help you," Mark promised. "We're going to find you a new job before too long, just you wait and see."

"Um, thanks," Ben muttered with a heavy blush. First this unprecedented hospitality, and now even compliments? Feeling compelled to return the favor in at least some way, he replied, "And I'll gladly help you out around the house while I'm here."

"Sure thing. But first, let me show you to your room. I've already set everything up for you!" The Doberman jumped up and headed for the exit with a wagging tail, beckoning Ben to follow.

So Mark had been expecting him? This male seemingly knew more about him than he did. A smile formed on his lips as a tentative hope sprouted in his heart. For the first time in what felt like an eternity, things were looking up, and Ben promised himself that he would do his darndest to seize this opportunity and make his stay as worthwhile for him and his host.

***

After Mark had shown him his new bedroom, Ben returned to his apartment for one last night. However, he hardly found any sleep that night from sheer anticipation and was subsequently fairly tired when the Doberman visited the next morning and threw him out of bed. Fortunately, a quick breakfast with two cups of coffee swiftly fixed his fatigue and as soon as his energy returned, he was ready to move out. They packed all his possessions into a couple of boxes Mark had brought and moved them to his new home. Two trips and a conversation with his landlord were enough to settle everything, and before he knew it, he had locked the entrance door for the last time and returned the key. The young man knew that he would never return to the place where he had spent several years, but his parting pain was nothing more than a sting that quickly vanished as he climbed into Mark's red sedan. The excitement about the current change in his life and the relief from having one less financial burden to worry about outweighed most of the feelings he still harbored about that little apartment.

When he arrived at his new home, he was greeted by the woman of the house, Mark's wife Laura, an elegant white Samoyed. She was styled to perfection; her makeup expertly accentuated her cute, snowy face and big blue eyes, and her gray pinstripe suit perfectly matched her slender physique. Already back when he had dated Janice, he had rarely ever seen her mother. Laura was a hard-working businesswoman, always traveling around the world in a never-ending search for new partners and opportunities for her business. But as if anticipating Ben's arrival, she had returned from a lengthy trip and stayed just long enough to welcome him and have lunch with him before rushing back to the airport in the late afternoon to pursue yet another endeavor. However, she made the most of their time together and showered him with questions for two hours. Thanks to her eloquence, Ben didn't even notice that she was testing him, as she apparently didn't share her husband's unquestioning acceptance and really wanted to get to know the new occupant of her home. Fortunately, he seemed to have passed her trial when she left because she bid him farewell with a hug and a dainty smile.

The next days and weeks passed swiftly as autumn left its mark on the city. The trees lost their remaining leaves, the winds grew harsher, the temperatures dropped below freezing. At the same time, Ben didn't face any more troubles, an auspicious semblance of normalcy returning to his life. There were no further concatenations of calamities, failed interviews, the impending loss of his home, and other misfortunes to haunt his life. And even when his laptop broke, Mark just drove him to the repair service and paid to have it fixed, turning a massive blow to his livelihood into a mere annoyance.

As promised, the Doberman also helped Ben with his continued job hunt, trained with him for interviews, revised his résumé and applications, and discussed his life goals, still spending a staggering amount of time and effort to support him. In return, Ben took care of much of the housework while Mark was at work, doing dishes, cleaning the house, and doing the laundry. A minuscule price to pay for the stay and the assistance he received.

Mark also invited Ben to join him on his way to work so the young man could get some exercise. The office building he worked in was just around the corner, and the fifteen-minute walk in the morning helped Ben start the day in high spirits instead of sleeping until noon as usual. Soon, the Doberman also took him on longer walks and brief jogs after work, right through the neighborhood and the nearby parks. At some point, he even dragged him into his daily workout routines, showing Ben how he got and maintained his musclebound frame. An occurrence that the young man really began to enjoy, as it granted him an impressive demonstration of Mark's strength and a good view of his powerful body. It was thrilling to see the canine lift a barbell that weighed as much as himself and seeing his muscles tense and flex. That was one of the reasons why he loved watching strongman competitions on TV.

Ben grew to thoroughly appreciate the time he spent with his host, the long and profound talks about his life and future, the world, but also about simpler topics, jokes, and gossip. It never got boring with Mark as there was always something to talk about and be it just the weather or the most recent office stories. At some point, the young man even felt encouraged to discuss the currently most difficult issue for him, the subject of relationships. The gap left by the breakup with his ex was still as deep and painful as the first day; it had never truly healed. Now that the rest of his life had finally sorted itself out, the lack of a committed relationship was the only thing that remained unfulfilled. But unlike with his job search, Mark refused to help him find new love. According to him, this was something Ben had to do all on his own, though he didn't even know where to start. His first encounter with Janice had been a chance meeting in high school, something that simply hadn't occurred since.

***

In the following weeks, the days became even shorter and the first snow heralded the onset of winter. Ben was sitting on the sofa in the living room, nibbling on some chips while he relaxed with Mark. Normally, they would've gone for a walk in the park, but winter had hit hard already and overwhelmed the city with a harrowing blizzard that suffocated traffic and buried houses under several feet of snow. Thus, they spent their time inside while the blizzard raged in the dark of night. The TV was running in the background, showing some winter sports event, but Ben wasn't really watching and barely listening to the commentator's voice. No, he only had eyes and ears for the Doberman lolling next to him.

The dog's musclebound frame, his elegant face and shimmering brown fur, only partially concealed by a white, translucent shirt and a pair of shorts, fascinated the young man more every day. A beautiful sight that had really grown on him. Honestly, if Mark hadn't been his host, basically a father to him, and a married man, he would've asked him for a date. But alas, that was impossible, because he didn't want to disrupt their relationship with such an insolent question. Maybe he would get lucky and everything worked out, but with his luck, he would probably create a really awkward situation at best and lose his home at worst. Luckily, he could still enjoy the sight as long as the burly canine wasn't looking, and he wasn't looking right now, completely engrossed in his hobby.

At the moment, Mark held a hemp bag in one hand and a needle in the other, stitching an intricate floral pattern with several roses and songbirds on the side. Ben had been quite surprised when he learned that all the embroidered landscape and scenery images scattered around the house were made by him. He had never taken the powerful Doberman for someone who found pleasure in such a delicate hobby, never thought that he had the precision and gentleness for it, but he was glad to be proven wrong.

Glancing at the flurry of snowflakes swirling outside the window, Ben reminisced about the snowball fight with the neighbors the day before. "We really showed them who's boss yesterday, didn't we?"

"Oh yes, we did. Who would've thought that we could stand our ground against a family of five?" Mark nodded with a chuckle. "That's the power of good teamwork, I guess."

"It's just such a shame the weather turned bad. I would've loved a rematch. Hopefully, the blizzard will be over soon. A little snow is nice, but it's getting a little too much." Although, deep down, Ben was glad that he could spend more time inside with Mark and enjoy the sight of him without too many distractions. With a lazy smile on his lips, he let his eyes wander over the Doberman's body again, tracing the outline of his muscles and watching the subtle jerks and twitches as he moved nothing but his hand and fingers, pouring a minuscule amount of his strengths into the ceaselessly moving needle as he added another layer and another color to the embroidery.

Ben's curiosity soon spawned desires, fleeting notions that were no more than fantasies, but persistent, recurring ones. He wondered what Mark's muscles felt like, what his fur felt like, what he smelled like up close, and wished to be held by such strong arms, how it felt to be subjected to his strength. Perhaps one day, he would find an excuse to hug him just so he could sneak in a touch. Then again, this would likely only create more cravings and desires, making the existing ones even worse, and he would never get the opportunity to satisfy most of them. It was an unsolvable dilemma, one that would only lead to more disappointment if he wasn't careful.

"Is there something wrong with me? My face? Did I accidentally stick the needle through my shirt again?" Mark suddenly inquired with a cocked head and raised brow, eyeing his chest as he looked for the source of Ben's curiosity.

"N-no, I thought there was something, but turns out it was nothing," Ben stammered. The one thing he had been trying to avoid all this time had finally happened, Mark had noticed his stare. It likely wasn't the end of the world if he caught him once. The Doberman probably didn't think anything of it anyway and even seemed to buy his excuse, and yet the mishap threw Ben for a loop and made him blush furiously. His entire body was tingling and flushing with embarrassment while Mark's expression only became more perplexed.

"You sure? Is everything alright, boy?"

"Y-yes, everything's fine. I just... it's probably getting a little late for me. I think I'm off to bed now," Ben excused himself and got up from the sofa, stumbling toward the door while avoiding all eye contact.

"Oh, okay. Don't let me stop you then. Goodnight, Ben."

Ben didn't get very far, though, because his foot got caught on the edge of the rug, causing him to stumble and go flying with a stunned scream before hitting the floor with a thud that knocked the air out of his lungs. With a pitiful groan, he rolled onto his back. Mark commented on his clumsiness with an incredulous chuckle, which made his glowing blush turn even redder and darker. He really had just made a gigantic fool of himself, hadn't he?

"Now I can see it. Poor boy, too tired to walk anymore. Don't worry, I'll help you up if you want." The Doberman got up and approached him with a jolly smile, only to trip over the exact same edge of the rug. Ben's eyes widened in shock and he yelped as Mark's huge body crashed down on him, burying him under its entire weight and knocking the breath out of him once again. For a moment, he was closer to the canine than ever before, and despite the circumstances and the dull pain that shot through his whole body, Ben enjoyed the moment more than expected. The radiant warmth and Mark's soft yet stimulating scent, a mixture of musk, sweat, and body wash, stirred powerful flutters in his chest and stoked his desire for the burly canine stronger than ever.

Gleeful laughter flowed through the Doberman as he recovered from the fall. "Dang. I'm so sorry, Ben, I hope I didn't hurt you too much. Apparently, I need to go to bed as well because I'm just as clumsy as you are," he assessed, turning his head to look at Ben. His laughter stopped abruptly and he froze as he noticed the strange look on the young man's face. "Ben? You okay?"

"Mark," Ben cooed in response, his eyes glowing with boundless affection for the wonderful, handsome, and unconditionally helpful canine. Out of a sudden impulse that came from deep within his heart, his body began to move and he gave Mark a fleeting but far-reaching kiss on the muzzle. Only a second later, he realized what he had just done and hastily withdrew the kiss, his rapt smile warping into disbelief and shock. This was exactly what he had feared would happen if he got too close to the Doberman and let his emotions get the better of him. This time, there was no excuse for his behavior. He had just screwed up big time. Time slowed, flowing as slowly as honey, as he anxiously anticipated the canine's reaction, be it a response or an action.

At first, Mark was just as flabbergasted as he was. In disbelief, he brushed his fingers over his muzzle and touched the spot where the young man had kissed him. Much to Ben's surprise, the features on the canine's face softened and the smile returned, warmer and friendlier than ever. Mark reached under his head and guided him into another kiss, gently parting his lips and sliding his muzzle over his mouth.

Ben had expected many things, but he hadn't seen this one coming and was completely overwhelmed. His heart raced in his chest and a radiant wave of joy washed through him as his craving for personal intimacy was satisfied for the first time in almost a year. Quickly, his emotions took over, his hesitation and shock faded, and he embraced the Doberman. He clutched Mark's back and pulled him even closer, sliding his tongue into his muzzle and inviting him to play. A playful lick and more kisses followed, each deeper and wetter than the previous ones.

The next minutes of passed in a dreamlike blur. Ben was hardly able to distinguish whether this was really happening or not. Eventually, his big partner broke the kiss and got on his knees, slowly unbuttoning his shirt and pulling it off to bare his chest. It was actually the first time Ben got to witness the full glory of the Doberman's upper body, and it was every bit as impressive as he had hoped: chiseled pecs, adorned by an oval black nipple each, rock-hard abs, strong sides, and massive guns. His short fur didn't conceal anything, its smooth shine only enhancing the ridges and edges of his muscles. "This is what you were curious about all this time, isn't it?" the larger male purred and winked before he stood up and discarded his shorts as well, standing before him in nothing but black briefs. "You want to see more of it, don't you?"

"How do you know?"

"I spotted a few of your strongman magazines and... some of the other ones. Never thought much about it -- after all, I wasn't that different when I was your age -- but now I finally realized why you look at me like that all the time."

Ben blushed hard as he found out that his supposedly sneaky peeks hadn't been so sneaky after all.

"But don't worry about it. I'm not going to judge you and condemn the free appreciation. In fact, you can look as much as you want." With a sultry smirk on his lips, the canine put on a little show for him. He flexed for him and struck various poses, each time showing off a different group of muscles.

A wonderful shiver ran through Ben's spine as he watched the Doberman. He didn't have to sneak peeks anymore, he could just stare to his heart's content and right now, he even received his own personal show. It really couldn't have gone any better!

The Doberman's smirk turned into a proud, saucy grin as he continued to pose for his admirer. His short tail wagged wildly and his movements became buoyant and exuberant. He had as much fun showing off as Ben had watching him, and it wasn't just the innocent kind of fun either. His briefs were distended by a big, swelling bulge as he got turned on by his own posing.

Ben didn't feel much different. Arousal flooded him with a glowing, sweltering warmth as his pants tented with his own rapidly inflating erection. Eventually, the heat grew unbearable in his stuffy, thick clothing, making him sweat profusely. Without another thought, he stripped his sweater and his pants, exposing his light, smooth skin. For a moment, he worried that the canine wouldn't appreciate the sight because his lithe, wholly unspectacular body was a long shot from his heavenly musclebound frame, but his worries quickly dissipated when he saw Mark's reaction. The Doberman stopped dead in his tracks and gasped in admiration as his eyes fell on the slender human. Mesmerized by the sight, he dropped onto one knee and pulled Ben into a warm hug and a gentle kiss, elevating the excitement as their bodies came even closer together, fur rubbing against skin and bulge rubbing against bulge, damp spots forming at their tips.

The canine seemed to have a new goal in mind. He broke the kiss and stepped back, flexing at him with a wink. "You want to touch them, don't you? I can see it in your eyes! Come and feel them, stroke them, kiss them, lick them, and don't hold back."

Ben's jaw dropped and he gawped at the posing Doberman, his mind blank and his lips failing to form a response. This offer was the one thing he craved most. He could finally indulge in his curiosity without any worry or hesitation. A wheeze escaped his throat and he nodded shakily as he stumbled toward Mark. But just as his hands hovered over the dog's smooth, shining fur, a sliver of doubt stopped him. Was this really happening? Or was this all a twisted dream? But before Ben's worries could dissuade him, Mark insistently grabbed his wrists, and firmly pressed his palms against his chest.

A pleasant shiver raced through Ben as he felt the silky fur and warm skin under his fingers, and his reluctance was finally broken. His hands slowly began to move on their own, exploring the body of his burly partner with gentle, savoring motions. He brushed over Mark's pecs, traced the outline of his trained muscles, and rubbed his stiffened nipples. With each passing second, Ben grew more confident in his approach, extending his worship to the Doberman's arms, his sides, and his abdomen, rubbing his bulging muscles with swelling excitement. So close to Mark, he also smelled his unique, potent musk in its fullest intensity. The intoxicating cocktail of masculine odors fully enveloped him, permeated every breath of air he took, and saturated his nose. It made his mouth water and drew him closer and closer to the dog's musclebound body until his face pressed against his chest. With his lips resting on Mark's pecs, he curiously licked his nipple and took in a mouthful of his salty, savory flavor. A flavor that spurred even more licks, encouraged bigger and broader strokes. Ben quickly extended his worship all over pecs and neck, spent several minutes just petting and licking him, revering his body and muscles.

Ben's ministrations elicited a heated response from the powerful male. Mark groaned and bit his lower lip, his brown eyes burning with lust as he watched him and relished the devotion. He tenderly grabbed the younger man's head, repaid his affections with loving strokes and head pats before pushing him down.

Eventually, Ben gave in to the gentle pressure and he dropped on his knees, his face now hovering in front of the canine's sizable bulge. Even with a veil of fabric hiding his intimates, he could still smell them. An even stronger odor of raw, potent masculinity clouded his nostrils, so rank and yet tempting. He was barely able to curb his surging arousal. On a whim, he pressed his lips on the damp tip and gave it a shaky kiss, much to Mark's delight.

The Doberman chuckled and ruffled his hair. "Tell me, have you ever sucked a dick before, Ben?"

Ben shook his head and gasped, "No, never."

"Do you want to try it?"

Eyeing the heavy bulge with deep desire, Ben decided without any hesitation, "Yes!"

"Then give it a try! Feel free to experiment a little but don't push yourself too much, okay? You're not here to impress me," Mark purred, slowly pulling down his briefs. Just inches from Ben's face, he revealed more and more of his crotch until his dick bounced free with a loud snap. He was hung with eight inches of uncut black cock meat emerging from a swatch of long, fluffy pubic hair and ending in a red glans. The supple skin glistened with a layer of sweat and the tip was adorned with a bead of precum. But that was only half of the reveal. Dropping his briefs entirely, he revealed a pair of plump, furry balls to complete the offer.

Ben moved closer until his lips almost touched the the dark red tip, and he took a deep whiff, fueling his lust with a fresh batch of male musk. Then, he gingerly grabbed the throbbing cock, felt its weight and warmth before he peeled back the ample foreskin to expose his glans in its entire glory. Savoring the sight for a moment longer, he finally stuck out his tongue and brushed it over Mark's cockhead, all the way from the leaking urethra to the rim. It tasted salty, even a tiny bit sour, and hinted at the same variety of musky, masculine flavors that enveloped his nostrils. The potent mixture mingled with his saliva and washed through his mouth and over his tongue, coating his taste buds to grant him a much stronger, intenser taste of his beefy partner. A taste that spawned a desire for more. He groaned as his arousal skyrocketed and he gave that big black cock more licks, savoring it with bigger, broader, and lavisher strokes.

Ben fervently rubbed his tongue against the throbbing flesh, circled it around the leaky tip before he worked his way down. He dug through the groove behind the glans, and licked along the long, girthy meat, driving his tongue up and down from shaft to tip and relishing the salty layer of sweat and delicious flavor. His nervousness melted away with every stroke and lash of his muscle, and his ardor swiftly infected his burly partner. Soft groans escaped the Doberman's throat, his brown eyes sparkling with pleasure and his hands absently ruffling his hair. Ben knew that he was doing something right, and the recognition made him lick even faster, treating the cock like a big, savory lollipop.

Soon, the fat black dick was no longer enough to satisfy Ben's growing craving. His lust-ridden gaze fell on the Doberman's heavy balls. Dangling and swaying between the male's legs, their mere existence turned into a tempting offer. With a soft whimper, he finally reached for them, wrapped his hand around one of the warm, firm breeding orbs and squeezed it a gently. He stroked the sweaty sack fur and cradled them in his palm before he started to play with his balls, eagerly kneading and massaging them .

"Yes, that's good! You're doing a great job, boy. Keep it up!" Mark grunted hotly, his arousal manifesting in a steadily increasing flow of pre that spilled from the tip and streamed down his swollen shaft.

Ben spent another minute licking the Doberman's delicious cock and fondling his heavy sack before he felt ready to try blowing him. He licked over his shaft one last time before pulling all the way up and wrapping his lips around the fat tip. Suddenly trapped in his mouth, the tight embrace coaxed a particularly rich squirt of pre from Mark's urethra, filling Ben's greedy mouth with a gush of salty goodness. Very slowly, he pushed more of the throbbing meat into his mouth, grunting and groaning as it stretched his jaw to the limit, he even heard the joints crack once. Tears shot into his eyes as he struggled to continue, but his horny determination drove him on.

"Careful, boy. Don't hurt yourself. Only go as far as you can," Mark reminded him softly, just seconds before his tip hit the inexperienced back of Ben's mouth. The touch sent a strong shiver through his spine and he gagged loudly, reflexively pulling back a bit. Although his lust had gotten him this far, he realized that he couldn't go any further even if he wanted to, and yet he had barely even swallowed half of the canine's cock.

Mark affectionately stroked his bloated cheeks and purred, "That's pretty good for your first time, but it's definitely enough for now. Do you want me to pull out again?"

Ben tried to shake his head, but he only managed to whimper softly. Now that he knew his limits, he didn't want to stop. He slowly pulled back until the tip rested on his tongue, throbbing and squirting some more pre, but then, he immediately pushed forward again, filling his mouth to the brim with cock. His canine partner gasped, his eyes widening in surprise, as Ben continued to push his head back and forth with laborious grunts and gags. With every stroke, his jaw loosened a little more, and it became easier and easier to take the massive cock, but it was never going to be effortless. The Doberman was simply too big for his inexperienced jaw. At least the dull pain in his joints abated and the pressure lessened substantially, allowing him to finally enjoy the blowjob the way he hoped.

"Fuck, you're tight. If you keep this up for much longer I'll..." Mark's hands cramped up around his head and his speech broke. A guttural growl poured through his gritted teeth and his face scrunched up as he bust a nut inside Ben's mouth. His cock began to twitch and throb violently, shooting the first gush of hot sticky cum into his mouth hole and over his tongue. A rapid volley of spurts followed quickly, each one strong enough to make the inexperienced man gag and voluminous enough to enter his throat, nose, and wash back over his lips, running down his chin. Surprised and overwhelmed by the wet eruption, Ben reflexively recoiled and pulled away from the cock until it popped out of his mouth.

While he coughed and desperately caught his breath, his burly partner was completely engrossed in his climax and unable to stop himself. Still holding Ben's head with one hand, he frantically jerked his pulsing cock with the other one and squirted rope after rope of cum over his face and naked chest. The young man heard and felt it splash on his skin, running and dribbling down his cheeks, his chin, over his chest and belly, onto his legs and soaking into his underwear. Luckily, he didn't mind the mess the canine made of him. No, he welcomed it even as the sensation of the warm, gooey liquid made his skin tingle and flushed him with a weird but dominant surge of pleasure. It felt good, better than he was ready to admit.

Eventually, the spurts weakened and Mark calmed down from his orgasmic frenzy. His horny glare cleared and his expression froze as he realized what he had done. "Oh, I'm sorry, Ben. I think I've gotten carried away. Are you okay?"

Ben nodded with a lusty grin and sluggishly brushed a finger over his soaked chest, licking it off with a trembling groan. It tasted tangy and slightly bitter, but knowing its origin turned it into the most delicious late-night treat ever.

The Doberman sighed with relief and his smile returned. "Good. May I help you clean this up?"

"Um, sure? Go ahead," Ben murmured, wondering what the canine had in store for him next.

Mark gently reached under his arms and lifted him up with ease. Glowing with a warm smile, he carried him over to the sofa and laid him on his back before climbing over him. Had Ben expected the dog to clean him with a towel, he had been mistaken. With the greatest confidence in the world, Mark pressed his tongue against his chest and started to lick up the mess he had made with big, lavish strokes. Working diligently and ceaselessly, the canine didn't leave a spot before his little partner wasn't perfectly clean -- or at least shining with a thin coat of his spit. He made his way from one side to the other, taking care of his shoulders, neck, and belly, eliciting a few snorts and giggles from the ticklish target.

Eventually, the Doberman reached Ben's crotch. Looking at him with a cheeky grin, he pulled down his briefs and exposed his achingly erect shaft, five inches of throbbing, leaking cock meat. "I want to be really thorough, so may I proceed if you don't mind?"

"Uh-huh," Ben whimpered and tensed up as Mark sniffed at his erection. With casual proficiency, he grabbed it at the base and lifted it up before he gave his glans a kiss and began to lick it with even greater fervor than the rest of his body. Up and down, every stroke of his tongue elicited another surge of tingling pleasure, adding to the confusing flurry of emotions and lust dominating his receptive mind. He was so incredibly close already, his toes and fingers curling and a meek whimper slipping through his lips as the ardent licks pushed him even closer to the edge.

Noticing his growing excitement, the Doberman suddenly stopped and chuckled, "Get ready, boy. I'll show you how to prevent a mess entirely." Then he wrapped his muzzle around his tip and plunged down with staggering speed, swallowing Ben's entire length in the blink of an eye. The sudden warmth and tightness enveloping his sensitive cock was too much for his poor brain to handle, drowning it with a flood of raw pleasure. He burst with a wet groan, unleashing all the pent-up arousal in a powerful orgasm. His muscles tensed and twitched, and he could feel the spurts of cum as they surged through his cock and erupted from his tip, only to vanish in Mark's gullet. The canine swallowed noisily, gulping his seed with lewd snorts and grunts, not allowing a single drop to escape his muzzle.

Ben had rarely ever come that hard and much, feeling as if part of him had just left him through his dick. Wheezing and drenched with sweat, his heart still hammering in his chest, he slowly recovered from his orgasm. "Wow, that was great!" he muttered and sighed, hearing an appreciative grunt from the canine.

While Ben basked in a warm, tingling afterglow, drained and done for the moment, Mark's arousal had returned with a vengeance. The Doberman's eyes burned with lust as he pulled away from his partner's dick only to immediately continue with his balls, kissing and licking them, even taking a whole orb into his muzzle and sucking on it like a dragée. Spreading Ben's legs a little further, he brushed his tongue over the cleft between his sack and his thigh, licked over his taint, and didn't stop until he had buried it between his ass cheeks. Fortunately, it wasn't the first time Ben had experimented back there, but Mark was much more vigorous and enthusiastic, his organ much larger and stronger than anything he ever experienced.

The canine scrubbed his tongue over his pucker with loud smacks and wet slurps, working it like a delicious treat. Working faster and harder, he circled the quivering hole until Ben had gotten used to the unexpected affection. As soon as his ring relaxed, he pushed in and claimed him, digging and shoving his muscle deep inside.

Ben groaned shakily as Mark's tongue spread his oversensitive insides, squirming and wriggling as it slid ever deeper. A new, tentative warmth blossomed in his loins, rapidly rising as the larger male rubbed his organ against his inner walls, homing in on his prostate and giving it a special treatment. Ben's moans heated up and he began to squirm and writhe in the canine's grip, but just as he was beginning to really enjoy his affections, Mark stopped, cruelly pulled his tongue out of him, and got back on his knees.

"Why did you stop?"

"I want to try something different. Did you ever take it up the ass?"

Ben nodded nervously. He had experimented with toys before, but Mark's cock was another challenge altogether. It was fully engorged again, eight inches of thick and throbbing black cock meat. The prospect of taking it was tempting and intimidating at the same time. "Yes, but nothing quite as big as you."

"Do you want to us to try it? I promise that I'll be really slow and gentle."

The burly Doberman gave him a gentle smile, and for seemingly no reason, Ben remembered how deftly he worked the embroidery needle, how skillfully he controlled the impressive forces of his massive body, and his worries began to dissipate. If there was one person in the world he trusted most to keep him safe and happy, it was Mark, and if there was one person he would try this with, it was him, regardless of how much bigger he was, as this was a chance to get even closer to this wonderful male. Finally, with a level of determination that surprised himself, he whispered, "Yes, I would love to do it with you."

The canine nodded and turned around, rummaging through the magazines, embroidery material, and knickknack scattered about the table until he pulled forth an inconspicuous box. Undoing the lid and turning it upside down, he dropped a small bottle of lube and some condoms next to him. "Well, let's get you prepared then." Mark popped open the bottle, tenderly pulled up Ben's butt, and poured the viscous liquid onto his slightly loosened pucker. He gasped and reflexively tensed as the lube touched his skin, it was just so cold. Chuckling at his reaction, the Doberman wasted no time and swiftly massaged it in, circling his fingers around his tight sphincter and slowly sliding them in once Ben relaxed a little. As soon as he had slathered it as deep as he could reach, he pulled his digits back out and tore open one of the condom wrappers, slipping the blue rubber over his shaft with practiced casualness. Fully prepared, he grabbed Ben's thigh with one hand and his dick with the other one, guiding it toward his asshole. "There we go. Are you ready, boy?"

Ben's heart pounded in his chest and he held his breath as Mark came closer. He had never been this excited and nervous at the same time before, so anxious about the next minute and yet so eager, but one look in the Doberman's slender face was enough to wash his reluctance away and he nodded quickly.

"Okay, but tell me when you're feeling uneasy, got it?"

A gasp broke from Ben's lips as the big tip kissed his anus and he regained his voice in an infirm moan as Mark pushed it in, instantly spreading his ring further than with his tongue or fingers, or any toy he had ever tried. But this was just the beginning, and the canine kept pushing and thrusting gently, filling and stretching him with inch after inch until he just couldn't take any more. "Hhhhh It's big!" Ben pressed a hand against his partner's chest, his eyes filling with tears as discomfort flashed through him, and the Doberman stopped immediately.

With a raised eyebrow, Mark patiently waited for Ben to get used to the sensation or call it off. Thankfully, the dull pain from the massive insertion was already subsiding and he didn't want to stop. He hadn't gotten this far only to end it here. Taking a deep breath, he relaxed a little more to hopefully make things easier for both. "Go on. I- I'm fine." With a soft grunt, the Doberman nodded and continued with gentle force, only just enough to keep his dick moving, sinking it deeper and deeper, while Ben gritted his teeth and hung on with a whimper.

The first insertion took an eternity, and was admittedly more hard work than fun, but once the canine was literally balls-deep inside him with his sack resting on his butt, Ben couldn't help but feel a tinge of joy and pride. He had done it; he had taken him! He exchanged a shaky smile with his burly partner, taking the moment of peace to get more comfortable with the throbbing cock inside him.

Once Ben's face lost its strained tension and his breathing softened, Mark started to move his hips ever so slightly, shallowly and tenderly sliding his rod in and out of his ass. It was still as big as before, stretching Ben just a little too much and maintaining the aura of discomfort, but somewhere hidden in the confusing chaos of stimulation sparkled a hint of pleasure. It grew and blossomed slowly but steadily, and soon overtook the discomfort and ultimately his entire mind. His jerky and tense groans mellowed, melted into noises of joy, warm moans and deep sighs.

The Doberman thrusts accelerated as his partner loosened up both mentally and physically, and his beefy body came closer, too, as he bent over Ben and got a tighter hold of him. His hands slid up his waist and moved around his chest, and before the young man knew it, the canine carried him in a big hug.

Body pressed against body, he was now as close to his beefy host as he would ever be, literally buried under him. He felt Mark's muscles bulge, heard his heated grunts and pants, and smelled the heavy, sweaty musk as he fucked his tight ass. This was the best thing that had ever happened to him, a dream come true in an unexpected but wonderful way, he thought with a smile before he lost himself in the thrusts, the stimulation, and the heat of the moment.

The next minutes passed in a lusty trance, could've been seconds or hours for all that mattered to his lust-addled mind. The unwavering rhythm of the Doberman's thrusting hips dominated his body and carried him closer to his second orgasm. With every movement, Mark's swollen cock rubbed against his prostate and his sweaty belly fur grazed his dick until Ben finally erupted with a lewd moan. Pulling his partner the final bit down, he pressed his lips on the canine's muzzle and shared his climax with a passionate kiss while he sprayed his load all over their bellies.

Mark was getting close as well, shoving his rod into his tightening pucker a few more times before joining Ben with a throaty growl. Their kiss deepened and their tongues entwined in a languid play as the mighty orgasm put them into a blissful trance of grunts and groans, ceaseless spurts and radiant heat.

Wave after wave, Ben's climax washed over him and through him, made him forget everything in life except the Doberman's carnal affection. The burly male's arms, his mighty body, his twitching dick, slender muzzle, and brown eyes were all that mattered, the contents of his entire world right now. Finally, after many hardships, he had lastly arrived where he always should have been, and his heart was filled with content.

Eventually, Ben's lust faded. His orgasm petered out, and with it, the last of his energy dissipated. The jumble of emotions, excitement, and arousal had drained him and he slumped into a deep hole. His eyelids grew heavy and he got incredibly tired. "Phew, that was exhausting but so good. I'm happy we did this," he muttered and yawned.

"I'm glad that you enjoyed it," Mark responded. "I absolutely loved every single second of it, from your beautiful body to your tight ass."

"Um, Mark?"

"Yes, Ben?"

It had taken Ben an eternity long to figure his feelings for Mark out, but now he was ready to voice them. He flushed brightly red as he poured his vague affection to the Doberman into words. "I... uh, I think... I love you."

"And I love you, too, boy," Mark replied in a heartbeat, smiling radiantly before he leaned in to give his partner another kiss. Then he slowly pulled out, stirring Ben's sensitive insides one last time. With a slightly proud grin, he pulled off the condom and showed him the ample filling. He had come enough to bloat it into a small cum balloon, before he discarded it. "I've rarely ever come that much. Also, you look quite beat. Ready for bed?"

Another yawn slipped out of Ben's mouth and he nodded sluggishly. "Absolutely."

Mark playfully ruffled his hair before he lifted him up and carrying him upstairs. From there, Ben only partially kept track of what happened around him. The Doberman moved him into the bathroom where he swiftly rinsed him with warm water and dried him off. Last thing he remembered was lying in a bed and snuggling up to the big, burly canine before he finally fell asleep as happy as could be.

***

The next morning began with several shocks, smaller and bigger ones. As soon as Ben woke up, he noted that something was different than usual. He wasn't in his own bed, and he was lying next to something big and warm. Slowly, the memories from the night before popped into his head. Initially, they were nothing more than a ridiculous fantasy. No way that had really happened, right? But the more he remembered, the more he realized that he hadn't just dreamed the encounter with Mark and that he was lying in his bed right next to him. He could also still feel the consequences as a soft, throbbing pain in his ass.

The next surprise awaited him as he opened his eyes, one he should've seen coming. A slender white canine lounged right next to him on two chairs and stared at him. Despite the unfavorable weather, Laura had returned early from her trip only to catch her husband cheating with the boy they had so kindheartedly given food and shelter. A tremendous shock ran through Ben's spine. He had completely forgotten about her! However, she didn't actually look all that upset and rattled. No, the Samoyed carried a jolly smile, her ears high and her curled tail wagging slowly as she watched him notice her. She was also stark naked, not even wearing any underwear to cover herself, making it the first time he saw her without makeup and a fancy dress suit.

Still half asleep, Ben sluggishly put together a defense,. "Uh, it's not what it looks like."

Laura raised a brow and giggled radiantly. "Good morning, Ben. Don't worry, you're perfectly fine. So Mark failed to tell you, I assume?"

"Tell me? Tell me what?"

"Mark and I worked out an arrangement some time ago. As you know, I'm quite busy and always on the road because of my work, and I will stay busy for at least a few more years. To bridge that time of frequent separation, we agreed to allow each other to seek distraction." she explained. "To blow off some steam and fuck some gals and guys while we can't have each other."

Not the explanation Ben had expected but he couldn't argue with things they decided between themselves. He just wished he would've known about it sooner. Also, there was something that bothered him about this revelation. "So I'm essentially just a side fling? A distraction?" Hadn't he heard Mark declare his love for him yesterday? Either that had been a blatant lie, turning it into a crushing blow to his heart, or it had been genuine, promising to turn this exchange with his original love quite problematic.

Laura vigorously shook her head, her smile broadening. "No, you aren't. In fact, your presence has affected my dear hubby so much that he hasn't slept with anyone else ever since you moved in. There's something special between you two that has finally broken out of its shell and blossomed into love."

"Okay?" Ben whispered warily.

"But don't get too excited. I have known and loved him for much longer than you and this won't change now or at any point in the future. I know that his heart is big enough for two, but that also means that you'll have to share him with me. However, it's probably better if he tells you instead. Let's wake him up, shall we? One moment..." The Samoyed got up and leaned over Ben's side of the bed to vigorously shake her husband awake.

A few confused grunts and blinks later, the big Doberman sat up straight, blushing furiously. "Oh, good morning honey. You're back?"

"You failed to tell Ben about our arrangement, dear. That poor boy is really worried and confused, you know?" she singsonged.

Mark rubbed his neck and sighed. "Yeah, sorry. It just happened a lot faster than expected. I totally forgot about it in the heat of the moment. I probably... should've told him earlier, right?"

"Probably. But it's fine because we can't change that anymore, can we? Now, we did agree that we would share you, correct?" she continued.

The Doberman nodded abashedly and sent a nervous grin at Ben. "Yes, that's what we decided."

Laura turned to Ben as well and lilted, "See? Just what I told you. We're going to share him. Not only that, but we've also discussed a few specifics. Whenever I'm on the road, you two can fuck each other silly however and whenever you want. On the couch, on the kitchen table, or in my bed, it doesn't matter. However, when I'm at home, this is my bed and I reserve the right to go first. Are you fine with that?"

Ben thought about her demand but he couldn't find any serious drawback. After all, it was her house and she had known Mark for much longer than he had, so it only made sense to yield to her, as much as he wanted to have the big male all to himself. "Yes, that sounds fair."

"Splendid!" Laura clapped in her hands. "And one more thing. I really like you, boy. Maybe not as much as Mark, but enough to make you an offer. While I'm at home, you're still free to share this bed with us, you're welcome to watch us fuck, and you're invited to join in anytime. Don't need to decide about it now, and I'll know when you accept it. Now, I'm going to give you two some privacy while I make us some breakfast, but when I come back, I'll claim my part of the bed and my husband." She gifted him a suggestive smile and got up, leaving the room with swaying hips.

That all went a little too fast for him and Ben wasn't yet sure what to make from it. "Is she serious about this... everything?"

He looked at Mark, but the Doberman just shrugged. "Trust me, if Laura says something, she means it, and I'm perfectly fine to include you, too."

"Mark, what you said yesterday, that you love me. Did you really mean it?"

Mark laughed and grabbed his head, pulling him closer and into a kiss. "Yes, I love you, Ben. With every fiber of my being. And now come, let's enjoy this moment while it lasts." He pulled him even further, all the way onto his body. Back in the burly canine's big embrace, Ben quickly forgot about his worries. This was worth any compromise he had to make with Laura, and before too long, she would be back on the road and he would have the Doberman all for himself. From all the possible outcomes, this was clearly the best.

"I love you, too, Mark," he replied and cuddled against his broad chest. He had found someone special. The hole in his heart had healed again.