by Lacey Thorn
“Mmm,” Ivy moaned and crashed against my chest, snuggling close while we both attempted to suck in enough oxygen.
I remained buried inside her, my cock still twitching as we both came down. Gradually, our location came back to me. In a parking lot with steamed up windows. I’d never live this down. Ivy and I had been so impatient for each other we’d barely made it out the door of the bar.
“Tell me again,” I ordered, wanting her to verbalize the bond she’d agreed to again.
“I’m claiming you,” she murmured, her tone expressing her contentment.
“Yeah,” I prompted.
She nuzzled my neck. “You’re my mate, Cyan. You wanted this, us. I’m not letting you back out.”
I chuckled. “Not planning to back out, baby. I am curious though. What made you decide to accept the fact you’re my mate?”
She nipped me. “Do you know I couldn’t tell you a single person there tonight other than you and Bee?”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah,” she agreed. “I was so focused on you I couldn’t see anyone else. I’ve spent my whole life afraid I’d turn out just like my mother. I thought maybe her inability to love or develop bonds was something she’d pass on to me.”
“Ivy, you’ve already developed some pretty intense bonds. Look at you and Jasmine. Or you and Raina. And I know you cared for Rowan. Just watching you with your sister and with Raina the other night, I’ve seen a woman who loves fiercely. You seem so fearless, Ivy. As if you’d take on the whole world if you needed to.”
She nodded against my chest. “Mm-hmm.”
I laughed. “You know you can’t fall asleep like this? We have to get you back in your seat, pants on, so we can head back to the house.”
“Are you going to move in with me?” She perked up a little at that.
“I’d like to,” I offered. “Unless you have bad memories in the house. We can look for another one. I’ll live wherever you want. As long as we’re together.”
“I like my house. Plus, Jasmine is already settled in the neighborhood. And since it’s right in the middle of our pack territory, it’s the perfect place for the new beta to live.”
“Okay,” I agreed. Honestly, I’d do anything in my power for her happiness.
“What about kids? Do you want kids?”
I blinked, her question taking me by surprise, but the answer was a no-brainer. “Yeah, I do. I’ve always wanted a big family.”
She smiled. “Good.”
I cupped her chin and tipped it up so I could see her face. “Does that mean you do, too?”
“I know I’m not Jasmine’s mom, but I’ve felt like it most of our lives. I love her as if she were my daughter instead of my sister. Raina worried I was pushing my dreams aside by staying here with Jasmine instead of going off to college. But I didn’t give up anything. My dreams changed the moment I held my perfect, little sister in my arms. I knew then I wanted to be a mom.”
“Then how in the world would you ever worry you could be like your mother?”
She blinked then shrugged, burrowing her face back into my neck. She was the exact opposite of her mother. I wasn’t sure if I’d ever have the opportunity to meet Ivy’s mother or not. Part of me wanted to, so I could put the bitch in her place for what she’d done to Ivy. Part of me thought it would be in everyone’s best interest if our paths never crossed.
While I’d contemplated what I’d do, my mate had fallen asleep. I grinned. It was nice to know I wore her out so thoroughly she conked out. I ended up tugging her shirt back down and lifting her into the passenger seat. She mumbled, but her eyes stayed closed. I wasn’t attempting the pants, so I snagged a blanket from the back seat and covered her with it.
After snapping her seatbelt, I adjusted my own clothing and put the seat back into place. I took my time driving back to her house—no. Our house—then carried her inside. It didn’t take long to strip us both down and get under the covers. I planned to talk her into a new bed, a much larger one to better accommodate my size.
I lay awake for a long time with Ivy draped over my chest, one leg thrown over mine as she clung to me. I easily recalled thinking my best friend, Bas, was insane for looking at a picture and deciding the woman was his. I’d basically laughed at him. Now, I understood completely. Maybe, it was the animal part of us, but when we found our mates, there was no questioning.
I glanced down at the woman in my arms. Ivy was mine, and no matter what life threw at us, I was never letting her go.
Epilogue
~ Ivy ~
Six Years Later
“Cyan!” I bellowed, staring in horror at the mess in my kitchen.
My mate barreled around the corner with our youngest son in his arms, stopping in his tracks as he took in the chaos. Noah bounced against his father’s arm, reaching for me. It was hard to believe we’d just celebrated his first birthday a few months ago.
“I thought you were watching them,” I said.
“I, uh, went to change Noah.” He passed Noah to me and waded into the kitchen, trying unsuccessfully to look serious. I saw his lips twitching with amusement. I’m sure our sons did, too. “So…who wants to explain what’s going on here?”
“I make pancake!” Parker clapped his hands, and a cloud of white rose from him. He was coated in flour from head to toe. In fact, I didn’t see a single spot in the kitchen that wasn’t covered. I didn’t think it was possible for us to have that much flour in the house.
“We helped!” Our five-year-old twins, Liam and Lucas, hurried to stand next to their brother.
I shook my head as Cyan fought hard not to laugh. “Pancakes?”
“For your birthday,” Liam said.
“It’s not her birthday,” Cyan corrected. “It’s our anniversary.”
Just like that, my heart melted. Six years later and the man still remembered the day we’d met…and celebrated it. Six years and four boys later. Which reminded me, I had something to tell my husband.
“What in the world?” Jasmine said, finally joining us. At fourteen, she was turning into a beautiful young woman, inside and out. We’d snuck out for some girl time earlier, which was rare with the boys and might be even rarer if what I suspected was true.
“Hey, kiddo,” Cyan replied. “Want to help your sister clean up the boys while I tackle this mess?”
Jasmine laughed. “Why don’t you help clean up the little rascals while I start on this?”
Cyan shrugged and swooped in, scooping up all three giggling boys in his arms. Noah, feeding off his brothers’ laughter, joined in.
“Where did all this flour come from?” I heard Jasmine mutter as I trooped down the hall behind my boys.
We ended up putting all four of them in the garden tub and letting them play. I washed off my youngest two while Cyan helped the twins. Looking at them made my heart swell with love. To think, once upon a time, I’d been scared I’d be incapable of mating. Now, my worries seemed silly. I couldn’t imagine my life without Cyan in it. My boys were my whole world. All five of them.
“Want to go out tonight, get a little drunk on tequila and let me cart you out over my shoulder?” Cyan leaned over to whisper.
I laughed. “How about dinner out then back home early to put the boys to bed?”
He winked at me. “Sounds perfect.”
He brushed his lips over mine, and I sank into him. That was all it ever took. One touch and I was his for the taking, which explained our four sons.
“Mama! Kiss!”
Cyan and I parted, both glancing back at the boys. Parker held up his arms, demanding a kiss, so I leaned in to give him one. That led to all the boys wanting kisses. That led to blowing raspberries. That led to giggles and sloshing water. And that led to the bathroom getting drenched.
I sent Cyan to help the kids get dressed while I worked on cleaning up. I was just finishing when I looked up to see him leaning in the doorway.
“Have I told you lately how lucky I am to have you as
my mate?”
“I think it’s been at least a few hours,” I informed him.
“Very remiss of me,” Cyan stated, moving toward me. He scooped me up into his arms and carried me down the hall.
“What are we doing?” I whispered, glancing around for the boys.
“I took the boys to get dressed. Now, I’m taking you to get undressed.”
I laughed. “Undressed? Feeling a little frisky, are you?”
“Am I breathing?” he quipped.
“As much as I’m tempted, we can’t leave the boys alone. There’s no telling what they’ll get up to? Or in to?”
“Noah fell asleep as soon as I put him in his crib. Parker is out, too, but you know it won’t last long. Liam and Lucas are watching a movie in the front room. Jasmine has them.”
“Well, then,” I purred. “What do you plan to do with me once you have me undressed?”
He grinned. “Everything.”
He tossed me on the bed then turned to lock our door. We both tugged off our clothes. We’d learned to take advantage of every moment we had. And my mate, much to his chagrin, had become a master of the quickie.
Ten minutes later, we were still recovering from our orgasms when we heard the pitter-patter of feet going past our door.
“Sounds like Parker’s up,” Cyan said, tensing to push himself out of bed. Our three-year-old had always been a power napper. He’d drop off for ten minutes then be up and full of energy. I’d learned to make the most of those ten-minute naps.
I rolled so I draped over Cyan’s chest.
“Stay a little longer,” I pleaded. We both knew Parker would head toward the television and his brothers. He’d curl up on the couch with his Aunt Jassy and be happy as a lark. At least, for a little bit. There was a slim chance he might fall back asleep, as well.
“Have something to tell me?” Cyan asked, and I glanced up at him.
“How do you always know?”
He cupped my belly with one palm, something he did every time I shared I was pregnant.
“You get this look in your eyes,” he said. “I call it your mommy look. It’s very sexy.”
I laughed. “Must be why you see it so often.”
“Think you’re ready for five boys?”
“This one’s a girl,” I vowed, placing my hand over his. “I can feel it.”
“You said that with Parker,” he reminded me. “And Noah.”
I smacked him, but Cyan only laughed, rolling us over until he loomed over me.
“Would having another boy be so bad?”
“Of course not. I love our sons.”
“What about their dad?” he asked, leaning down to trail kisses up my throat.
“Mmm,” I moaned. “I’m pretty fond of him, too.”
“Fond? Let’s see if I can do better than that.”
I’m not sure how many times he had me moaning how much I loved him, but I meant it every time.
About the Author
Lacey is a hyper blonde, bouncing through life with her magical bracelets of positivity. A die-hard gamer (she refuses to call it an addiction), she resides in the Midwest, mom to three awesome children, one demanding dog, and two crazy cats. She has a passion for life and tends to leap long before she checks for safety exits. She writes possessive, alpha heroes who demand everything from the women they love. Believing sex is an integral part of a healthy romantic relationship, she doesn’t believe in closed doors, or even confining things to the indoors. Her stories reflect her strong family ties, friendships that showcase how some family consists of those we choose, and a goofy sense of humor that helps keep her laughing through all life’s ups and downs.
She loves to chat with anyone and often does to the annoyance of her children who are always in a hurry. If you want to talk books, television, movies, actors, World of Warcraft, prepping for the zombie apocalypse, or music (she loves music!), drop her a line at [email protected].
Also by Lacey Thorn
Don’t miss the exciting first book in the James Pack!
Alpha’s Unwilling Mate, James Pack Book 1
Raina
I refuse to mate a man I don’t know. My father’s dictate has me ready to run and never look back. I won’t be the virgin sacrifice used to entice Bastion James to accept my community as part of his pack. Nothing will change my mind. Especially not the man himself. Not the way he looks at me, the way he touches me, or the heat of his kiss.
Bastion
From the moment I saw her, I knew she was mine. Raina Byrd belonged in my arms. More importantly, she belonged in my bed. One glimpse at the fire in her eyes and I knew we’d burn the world around us until nothing else existed. One touch of her skin and I was lost to anyone else. One taste of her lips and I knew I’d kill to possess her.
I warned her what would happen if she tried to run. Now, I won’t be satisfied until I’m buried inside her and she’s screaming my name.
* * * *
Have you met the men and women of the pride?
Waking the Beast, Awakening Pride Book 1
The legend of the Paka Watu...
Ever since she was a young girl, Abby Lane can’t resist the allure of a cat shifter tribe forced to repress their beasts. On a trip to Africa, she discovers a coveted piece of information—the name the pride leader assumed when he left his home—and she traces his lineage to his descendent.
The sleeping lion...
Utah Pearce can’t keep his gaze off the woman who slips into the bar every night. Though not his usual type, she brings out the possessive instinct in him, making him battle with himself as he tries to stay away.
Mine...
Abby’s research never prepared her for the reality in front of her. The beast is waking, and Utah is changing in ways both exciting and terrifying. He is possessive and dominant, and when he finally claims her, neither of them will ever be the same.
Tempting the Tiger, Awakening Pride Book 2
Legend awakened…
Reno has known there was more to him since he awoke in the hospital, alive when he should have died. Only one thought consumed him. Find Tah. Watch over him. Protect him. Then everything changed.
A tempted tiger…
A mission gone wrong brings him face to face with a woman who tempts his tiger from hiding. He wants her with a fierce hunger that consumes him and shocks him with the possessive nature she awakens.
Mine…
Amia belongs nowhere. Not with the Blane family of hunters she was born into, and not with the dominant man who kidnaps her and turns her world upside down. She runs. She fights. And when the time comes, she pays the price. Running isn’t an option, and there’s no fighting a man who turns her inside out with unquenchable lust. Maybe, just maybe, she’s found where she belongs.
Lacey’s Booklist
Knight's Watch Series
Prequel: Beautiful Dreamer
1. Jagged Hearts
2. Craving Sin
Contemporary Western
1. Chaps and Lace (previously published in Men of Calder County as Rayne)
Contemporary Ménage
1. Finding Home
Something More Series (Previously Girls Night Out Series)
1. More Than One Night (Previously Jack's Dee-Light)
2. More Than Friends (Previously What Friends Are For)
3. More Than I Do (Previously Marital Bliss)
Awakening Pride Series
1. Waking the Beast
2. Tempting the Tiger
3. Freeing The Feline
4. Saving the Beast
5. A Jaguar's Touch
6. The Liger's Mark
7. Unleashing the Beast
8. Eyes on the Pride
9. Cry of the Pride
Awakening Pride: The Holloways
1. His to Bear (comes between The Liger's Mark and Unleashing the Beast)
2. Claimed by the Grizzly
3. Rumble and Growl
Pleasures Series
2. Heated for Pleasure
3. SEALed for Pleasure
4. Guarded for Pleasure
5. Roped for Pleasure
6. Arranged for Pleasure
7. Cured by Pleasure
8. Faithful in Pleasure
9. Agents of Pleasure
10. Bewitched for Pleasure
11. Hammered with Pleasure
James Pack Series
1. Alpha's Unwilling Mate
2. Beta's Virgin Bride
Demon Chronicles Series
1. Bound By Fire (previously published as Serephin)
2. Driven by Flame (previously published as Carami)
3. Embraced by Heat (previously published as Brahman)
Alpha Enforcer Squad Series
1. Enforced Love
2. Love by Command
3. Breaking Into Love
Bare Love Series
1. His Bare Obsession
2. Bare Confessions
Urban Fantasy Standalone Book
1. Finders Keepers
Table of Contents
Contents
Beta’s Virgin Bride
Copyright
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Epilogue
About the Author
Also by Lacey Thorn
