Second Chance Lion (Cedar Hill Lions Book 4) Read online

  She could believe it. She’d never known anyone more dedicated to his land than Lincoln.

  And she knew how hard it must have been for him to be away from it, and having such limitations on his movements.

  She’d never picked him for a reader – mainly because when she’d known him, he hadn’t been. But at the end of a hard day of shopping for fittings, painting walls, directing workmen and hanging wallpaper, she’d often come back to the little patch of floor they’d claimed as theirs to find him sitting under the light of a hurricane lamp, reading intently.

  What’re you reading today? she’d ask as she snuggled into his side, her eyelids already beginning to droop.

  Sometimes he’d answered her with the title of an American classic like Tom Sawyer, which she’d had downloaded on her ebook reader for years, but never gotten around to actually reading. Other times, he’d had one of the decorating magazines she had lying around to draw inspiration from. Still others, he’d surprised her by naming one of the romance novels she’d downloaded.

  Why are you reading that? she’d asked, a little embarrassed, and he’d looked over and grinned.

  Research, he’d said.

  As if you need any more of that, she’d scoffed.

  Lincoln hadn’t said anything for a moment, before he’d leaned over and kissed the top of her head.

  Not for that. But for you. I feel like I’m getting to know you all over again.

  He hadn’t talked much about his leg and how it felt, and Faye had known intuitively not to ask. It would be better when it was better.

  So that was why it had been such a shock to come home and find him up the ladder.

  He hadn’t breathed a word about feeling up to any such thing.

  He’d kept it hidden from her, she’d realized later. She didn’t ask him why, but only because she thought she could guess – and because she knew Lincoln.

  They understood each other well. Healing from his injury was something Lincoln needed to work on alone. They had come to this balance naturally: after the near miss of Lincoln’s accident, they had realized that it was time to put aside the things that separated them. They could retain their personalities while still being perfect partners.

  They were both stubborn people who liked to work on problems alone. But they trusted each other enough that help was always on the table if either of them needed it, and more often than not, they didn’t even have to ask. The other simply knew when to offer it, and when to take a step back.

  So Lincoln’s leg had healed. First, he’d been able to climb a ladder to help with some of the painting.

  Then, he’d been able to help Charlie and her crew carry light boxes in from the truck.

  Then, he’d been able to lug around heavy bathroom fittings, planks of wood, and do everything else Charlie’s crew could do.

  The skin of his thigh still bore the faint marks of his injury, and in cold weather, the bone still ached. Faye had spent many winter nights rubbing it gently to soothe the pain – which had usually lead to some more strenuous activities.

  Again, Faye couldn’t suppress her smile – and again, she had to remind herself that just now, it was neither the time nor place.

  Back in the present, she glanced up as the minivan that would be transporting her guests out to Cedar Hill Ranch pulled up.

  “All ready to go?” she asked, watching as grins broke out amongst the assembled guests, as they grabbed their packs and started heading toward the van.

  The front door of the van opened, and Lincoln’s younger son Casey stepped out. Now that he had matured, he was looking more and more like his father every day.

  Faye had had the usual concerns about how Lincoln’s sons might react toward her. Lincoln had assured her that she was worrying about nothing, and that both of them understood the situation – as well as the meaning of a mated bond.

  Faye had been a little skeptical, but it seemed that Lincoln had been right. Both Joe and Casey had been nothing but welcoming to her, and their kindness and acceptance had warmed her heart.

  Sometimes, it all seemed too perfect to be real.

  But it was real.

  And Faye could only close her eyes and thank whatever was out there for how lucky she’d been to be given such a second chance.

  “This is Casey,” she said, once again slipping easily into her hostess role. “He’ll be your driver for today.”

  Casey grinned at her introduction, giving a little wave. Faye could see a couple of the older teenaged girls – and a couple of the mothers – beginning to melt under his smile.

  Faye almost had to roll her eyes.

  Those Whittaker boys, she thought fondly.

  As Casey began directing the excited guests into the van, Faye turned, only to find herself looking into the gorgeous gray eyes of her very own Whittaker boy.

  The boy who’d stolen her heart at sixteen, and whom she’d never really forgotten about, even during all the intervening years.

  “That seemed like it went well,” he said, smiling slowly.

  Faye shrugged, laughing softly. “It’s no big deal. And I’ve only done it about a hundred times now – you know that.”

  Lincoln shrugged, returning her smile. “Maybe I just never get sick of watching you do it.”

  “Didn’t anyone ever tell you flattery will get you nowhere?” Faye asked, shaking her head.

  Lincoln just smiled again. “Hard to imagine somewhere I haven’t already been.”

  Faye cried out in mock outrage, slapping him lightly on his brawny arm.

  But he was right about that, she thought, as she felt her face flushing. If anything, their sex life had only gotten better over the three years they had been together.

  Swallowing, she slipped her arms around his waist, before standing up on tippy-toes to kiss him on the lips.

  They were warm and soft, just like always – and just like always, the kiss sent a shot of fire straight to her belly.

  “Come on,” she whispered. “I have work to do. And you can give me a hand.”

  Lincoln nodded, and she stepped away from him and they both went into the house.

  She was proud of what they had made here together. The old run-down mansion was completely unrecognizable now. They had transformed it, renewed it. Given it life again.

  Just like them, it had been given a second chance.

  As soon as they were in the door, Lincoln’s lips were back on hers, his arms winding around her back and drawing her close to his chest.

  “Lincoln,” she breathed when she was finally able to pull back. “I can’t – I have stuff to do –”

  But she already knew she wouldn’t be able to resist him. She never could.

  He filled her senses, overpowering her, and she willingly surrendered to the touch of his lips.

  “I want you,” he whispered when they broke apart. “My mate. My beautiful mate.”

  “I want you too.”

  All thoughts of work had left her head now. She’d just have to get it done later. Right now, the only thing she could think about was the heat between her thighs, the rising desire in her belly.

  His mouth against hers made her moan. She arched against him as his hands found their way under her shirt, caressing the skin of her back.

  “Upstairs,” she gasped against his lips, her own hands tugging at the waistband of his jeans, urging him toward the stairs.

  They had their own room on the third floor of the mansion – tucked away from prying eyes, where they could enjoy their privacy even when there were guests staying. Now that Lincoln had largely turned over the running of the ranch to Joe, he could stay with her for days at a time, helping her out with the running of the B&B, and spending long, long nights together in bed.

  Well, and the occasional early morning, Faye thought to herself, smiling against Lincoln’s lips as she kicked the door closed behind them.

  He was hard as steel against her thigh, pressing against her, hot and ready. She wanted him de
sperately – she could feel that she was already wet, her panties soaked through.

  “You’re beautiful,” he murmured, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “You’re everything I’ve ever wanted. God, I love you.”

  They had said it to each other countless times over the past three years – as if trying to make up for all the years they’d been apart. But even now, it still sent a shiver through her.

  “I love you,” she replied, brushing her thumbs over the strong line of his jaw. And she did – she loved him fiercely and with her whole heart.

  Maybe their love burned all the more brightly because of how long they had had to wait for each other. And sometimes, it was tempting for her to wonder what might have happened if her father’s ranch hadn’t failed; if she had returned to Cedar Hill sooner instead of going out into the world; or if only something had happened to bring them together sooner.

  But in the end, she couldn’t be bitter about things: instead, she simply trusted that their fated bond had brought them together exactly when it needed to. At a time when they’d both worked out what they wanted from life, and weren’t afraid to pursue it.

  And in any case, what they had was so wonderful that no bitterness was possible. There was only happiness. Happiness in each other, and in the life they had built.

  Faye gasped as they fell onto the bed together, Lincoln’s strong fingers opening the buttons of her jeans before sliding them down her thighs, taking her soaked panties with them.

  He rolled her onto her back, lying between her thighs, before kissing his way over her breasts and down her belly. Realizing his intentions, Faye groaned, anticipation shivering through her.

  “Oh, God,” she breathed as he kissed the inside of her thigh, his tongue sliding over her sensitive skin, sending arcs of pleasure shooting through her. His hands stroked over her hips, making her arch up, writhing on the bed.

  “Stop teasing!” she managed to gasp – just as finally, finally, he lowered his head, touching his lips to her wet folds.

  Faye squealed, all her muscles tensing, as his tongue slid against the sensitive bud of her clit. Ecstasy coursed through her veins, and she trembled beneath his touch, feeling all her nerves lighting up.

  “You’re so wet,” Lincoln murmured, his thumbs tracing slow circles just below her hipbones.

  Faye groaned, closing her eyes, pressing the back of her head against the pillow. Everything in her felt like it was about to burst – her climax was building inside her already, like a flame curling up her spine. She pulsed with need for him, wanting more, more, more…

  She moaned helplessly when his mouth returned to her, his tongue delving inside before sliding up to caress her clit again. She clenched her thighs around his head, her fingers winding around the wrought iron bedhead.

  “Oh Lincoln,” she moaned, her toes curling against the sheets.

  He didn’t respond in words – but his tongue continued to work against her soft, wet skin, sending her to new heights of ecstasy with every movement.

  Only a moment later she came, crying out his name, her body arched on the bed, his face buried between her legs. Stars cascaded over her vision, blotting out everything except the way Lincoln made her feel – the way he knew just how to touch her, just how to drive her wild.

  Slowly, she came down, her heart beating frantically against her ribcage, her body still sparking with pleasure. She felt utterly relaxed, every muscle deliciously uncoiled – but she still hadn’t quite had her fill of him.

  Opening her eyes to look down at him, she found his eyes dark and heavy with desire. The look on his face fanned her own desire for him, and she reached down, pulling him up to her, her fingers fumbling with the buttons on his shirt.

  “You’re wearing way too many clothes,” she muttered against his lips.

  Lincoln nodded, shoving his jeans down his hips, just as she finally got his shirt off, pushing it over the heavy muscle of his shoulder.

  Faye looked down at the huge erection that stood between his thighs, swallowing with eagerness. All her muscles tensed with need – the need to feel him inside her, filling her up.

  A tremor ran through her as his hot, hard flesh brushed against her wet folds. He nuzzled against her throat, his lips finding her collarbone and sliding against it, his teeth gently grazing her skin.

  Enough, Faye thought. She needed him – now.

  Reaching down between them, she took his heavy shaft in her hand, hearing him groan as her fingers wrapped around him. He was huge, but he was the perfect size for her, and she gasped as she guided him into her entrance, sheathing him within her body.

  They fit together as if they had been made for each other – but then again, maybe they had. Maybe this was all part of being mates: they fit together, body and soul, and nothing else would ever be as perfect as this.

  Faye trembled as Lincoln slid the last few inches of his throbbing cock inside her, her hips arching up to meet his, her breath leaving her lips in a desperate pant.

  She whimpered as he lay, resting within her, their bodies locked together.

  “Lincoln, please, I can’t take it anymore,” she gasped, wrapping her legs around his hips and squeezing them together, her ankles resting on the small of his back.

  Lincoln groaned – and finally, began to move.

  His first thrust forced a moan from her lips as she threw her head back, clutching his shoulders. His hard abdominal muscles pressed against her clit as he moved, sending sparks of pleasure through her, even as his cock, buried inside her, reached the deepest part of her core.

  Faye cried out, the pleasure almost too much to bear. Everything seemed too hot, too breathless, too powerful for her body to contain. Lincoln was relentless, pounding into her, sending her closer and closer to the brink with every thrust.

  She tightened her inner walls around him and heard him cry out hoarsely, his hips stuttering in their movement, but never faltering.

  Ecstasy spiralled through her, every thrust sending a wave of pleasure crashing over her. Lincoln’s lips were on hers, kissing her, his tongue sliding against hers. She was utterly lost in sensation, unable to get enough of him even when he was buried in her up to the hilt.

  All at once, her body clenched tight, sparks blooming within her, her pussy clenching hard around him. She cried out again and again as she rode out her orgasm, rushing in waves over her body. Nothing had ever felt this good before – no one had ever made her feel so incredible.

  She could feel Lincoln’s own climax when it came, his cock pulsing inside her, his long, desperate groan in her ear. His hips jerked, sending new waves of pleasure over her body, drawing out the aftershocks of her breathtaking orgasm.

  Faye didn’t know how long she lay there, trembling from pleasure and exhaustion, sparks of fire still chasing each other up and down her nervous system. She only knew she never wanted to move again – she wanted to stay here like this forever, lying here on her rumpled bed, her limbs tangled with Lincoln’s, their breath mingling between their lips.

  She knew she had to get up and tend to the countless little jobs that needed doing around the B&B. There were things that needed tidying, and beds that needed their sheets changed. She should go downstairs and make sure there was nothing she needed to buy for the kitchen before dinner.

  But right now, she didn’t want to do any of it.

  Lincoln, with a long breath that sounded almost regretful, moved away from her, slipping from her body. She missed him immediately, but she snuggled into his side, letting the warmth of his chest comfort her.

  “I’ve been thinking,” he said, after a long moment of silence.

  “Mmm?” Faye, still blissed out from her orgasm, blinked and raised herself up on her elbow to see his face. He looked contemplative. “What’s up?”

  “I can’t really go on dividing my time between here and the ranch,” Lincoln said, without turning to look at her. He gazed up at the ceiling – which they had painted together, while his leg was h
ealing.

  Faye bit her lip. What was he saying?

  “It’s not right for an alpha to be wandering away from his pridelands so often,” Lincoln continued after a moment. “It needs to be his first priority.”

  “What do you mean?” Faye blurted, unable to hold back any longer. She wasn’t sure what he was saying – and she wasn’t sure if she liked it.

  Something in her tone must have startled him out of his post-coital haze, because he looked at her, wide-eyed and blinking in surprise.

  “I mean… maybe I should… give the pride over to Joe. Let him take over as alpha. I think he’s ready for it. And it’s better that I do it while I’m still here to give him guidance if he needs it.”

  Lincoln swallowed heavily. Faye stared down at him, unsure of what to make of what he’d just said. She knew how much the pridelands meant to Lincoln – and how important being alpha was to him.

  “How do you feel about that?” she asked, licking her lips.

  Lincoln didn’t answer at first.

  “I’ve been thinking about it for some time,” he eventually said. “Ever since I busted my leg, really. Maybe I should have done it back then – but it’s hard to let go sometimes, even when it’s the best thing to do.”

  Faye said nothing. She could feel her heartbeat in her throat as Lincoln turned to look at her, raising his hand to trace his fingers over her cheek.

  “But Joe’s been running the ranch more than I have these past few years. And I know he’ll be a fine alpha. He’ll keep things going, and keep the pride safe. And I don’t want him to inherit the role only after I’m dead. It’s not the right way to do things anymore.”

  Faye nodded. She’d come to understand more and more about the pride since she’d joined it. She’d learned some things from Charity, Daphne and Sasha, and other things from Lincoln. She knew he was right.

  “He has a cub now. A good mate in Sasha. He’s exactly where he needs to be to take over,” Lincoln continued after a moment. “It’s the right time.”

  “And you?” Faye asked. “Are you ready to let go?”

  Lincoln kept stroking her cheek, his eyes ranging over her face. “I am,” he said, after a few moments of silence. “Perhaps I wasn’t ready to say it before now, but I’ve known this was right for a while now. Things have changed. Before, being alpha was what I had. Maybe it was all I had. But now…”