Heart of a Lion (Awakening Pride Book 11)

by Lacey Thor

  “I love you,” he said as her glance met his in the mirror.

  She didn’t show any surprise, but then just because the words hadn’t been spoken didn’t mean they weren’t both aware of how the other felt.

  “I love you.” She gave the words back to him as she rose on her toes, locked her hands behind his neck, and pulled him down to her. He took what she offered, gliding his tongue along hers in a slow exploration that ignited other areas of his body. His cock was rock hard and throbbing, but that was nothing new where the woman in his arms was concerned. He wasn’t with her for a quick roll to ease a physical ache. He was with her for the long haul. Sex would happen, but it wasn’t everything.

  “Come to bed, and let me hold you,” he whispered, purposely being considerate of the baby lying in the crib.

  “Not tonight,” she whispered back, nipping his bottom lip then grazing her teeth along his jaw and down the corded muscle along his neck. “Tonight, I want more.”

  “More?” he questioned, letting her take the lead into the bedroom.

  She tugged Mitch to the bed then turned, using nimble fingers to unfasten and free his belt before tossing it aside and popping open the button on his jeans.

  “Undressing me?”

  She smiled up at him. “One of these days, I want to undress every inch of you, but for today, I’ll take care of your jeans and whatever’s underneath.”

  He groaned as her fingers brushed the muscles on his stomach. She placed one hand at the top band of his jeans then used the other to slowly lower his zipper. It felt as if it took forever for her to pull that tiny metal tab all the way down. Then she went to her knees before him, and he lost his ability to breathe.

  “Quinn.”

  “Shh,” she admonished, leaning in to place a kiss on his taut abdomen. “Let me do this. I need to touch you.”

  “Anything you want,” he vowed and meant every word.

  She spread the material wide before using her palms to glide the denim down his thighs and lower still until he could step out of them. He cast them away with his foot, leaving him standing there in a pair of tented boxers smeared with the pre-cum leaking from the slit atop his shaft. Then she killed him, leaning in to nuzzle her face along his cock, her breath hot and enticing as she teased him.

  “Quinn.”

  This time, her name was more of a strangled moan, and her laughter let him know how much she enjoyed the control she had over him. He wondered if she realized she always had the control when it came to the two of them. He’d do anything she wanted. Anytime she wanted. Anywhere. And he’d stop instantly if she decided she wasn’t ready. The love he felt for her would allow nothing less.

  She gripped the band of his boxers and pulled, using them to pull his cock away from his body until it bounced free, rising to paint a spot on his belly.

  “You’re beautiful.”

  Her gaze was completely centered on his cock. He wanted to laugh, but she chose the moment to leave his shorts trapped around his thighs while she swiped her tongue from the base of his cock, up his shaft, then swirled it around the leaking crown. Her moan matched his, and he had to clench his thighs to keep his feet beneath him when she sucked him inside the damp warmth of her mouth and bobbed her head a bare inch down his length.

  “Baby, you’re killing me.”

  Her glance rose up his body, and he almost came at the look of rapture on her face. Her hair was half up, half tumbling down around her. Her mouth was full of him, cheeks pulled in from the suction she applied. Her eyes, though. They conveyed how much pleasure she found in what she did. If she continued to look up at him that way, he’d never last.

  “Come here.”

  He tugged his cock from her lips and lifted her into his arms, turning and lowering her atop the bed before rising to an elbow beside her.

  “You weren’t enjoying it?” she asked.

  “I was enjoying it too much,” he promised, leaning closer to take her mouth again.

  His hands moved over her, touching and exploring and ready to take things to the next step when he encountered the scar on her side, a reminder of why he’d been waiting. He groaned and dropped his head to her neck, spreading open-mouthed kisses there as he tried to gain some control.

  “Why are you stopping?” she asked.

  “Because we need to wait. You’ve been through a lot since you’ve been here. Your body needs time to recover, not to be mauled by me.”

  “My body is recovered,” she countered. “And I want you. Desperately.”

  “I’m trying to do the right thing.”

  “The right thing is to make love to me,” she vowed. “I need you. Not to treat me as if I’m delicate, but to remind me I’m not. That I’m here. That I survived. That I’m alive.”

  “You’re all that and more.” He clenched his jaw and blew out a shaky breath. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

  “Then love me,” she encouraged.

  He took her mouth again, relishing her kiss as he caressed up and down her body with one hand. He touched her everywhere. Then he reluctantly left her mouth to skim his lips along the path set by his fingers. He licked over her skin, sucked it in then grazed it with his teeth, nipping in certain spots as she wiggled and moaned beneath him. He tasted. Everywhere. Then finally moved so he could settle between her sprawled thighs. He used his shoulders to keep her that way, settling one arm across her lower abdomen and using his fingers to open her sex so he could see inside the glistening folds to where the treasure he currently sought was hidden. The taut kernel of her clit poked out of its hiding spot, and the silky sheen of her juices had his mouth watering for a taste.

  Giving in to desire, he leaned in, flicking his out tongue and flattening it against her as he tasted from her opening up and around her clit before going back. He dipped inside, swirling around her entrance and moaning as the rich taste of her desire coated his tongue and lips. That little taste had him diving deep for more. He pumped it in and out of her as he wanted to do with his fingers and cock. He heard her slap a palm over her mouth as she fought to stay quiet, but he was caught up in what he was doing. He needed more.

  Mitch moved up to her clit, wrapping his lips around the bud and sucking gingerly on it while he tested her channel with a finger. She was hot and tight and dripping. He sucked more firmly while he fingered her sex. She needed to be ready for him. He’d known she was naïve but hadn’t realized she was still a virgin until Talbot had made it clear earlier.

  He pushed away any thoughts of the other man. Talbot had no place in what was happening now. Instead, Mitch focused solely on the woman before him. He alternated between licking and sucking at Quinn then added a second finger to the first. She was tight, and he needed to stretch her so she could comfortably accept his girth. He wanted her and would do his best to cause her the least amount of discomfort during their first time. Her first time period.

  “Mitch!”

  It was a whispered cry from her lips as she reached down and clutched at his arm banded across her belly. She undulated against him. Rising into every thrust of his fingers, pressing her clit harder against his tongue. She was close, and he gave her the final push she needed to get her to fly.

  He almost laughed as she grabbed a pillow and covered her face with it, trying to stifle the cries leaving her lips. He kept his attention where it needed to be, though. On giving her an amazing orgasm and helping her to milk every ounce of pleasure she could from it. Then he brought her to the edge again, keeping her there, easing back slightly to hold her there.

  He’d managed to get a third finger inside, but she was impossibly tight. He knew, no matter how hard he tried, there would be at minimum a brief moment of pain when he thrust his cock inside her for the first time. Focusing on his timing, he brought her to another orgasm, and just as she began to fly, he was over her, in her, swallowing her cries as he plunged deep and held there, fighting the need to move as she adjusted to the new sensation.

  Just when
he thought he wouldn’t last much longer, her nails dug deep into the back of his shoulders and her knees lifted to clasp the sides of his hips. The angle opened her wider, allowing him to sink slightly deeper, and he swore he saw stars.

  “Love me,” she ordered, and he quickly complied.

  He tried to stay slow, to be easy, but the way she countered his every move had them moving at a frantic pace. He pounded into her, the friction a sweet torture that had him ready to fill her with his seed, to mark her as his and only his for the rest of their lives.

  Quinn fluttered around him, and he knew she quickly approached a third orgasm. He slipped his fingers between their bodies, finding and pressing over her clit until she broke again, flying high and taking him with her. Then he felt the heady clench of her teeth into the muscle of his chest, and he knew what she was doing. Marking him. Mating him. Claiming him. And he knew whatever their future held, they’d meet it head on. Together.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Quinn woke slowly to Mitch placing kisses across her face, neck, and shoulders.

  “Time to wake up,” he whispered.

  “Again?” she asked and forced her eyes open at his chuckle. They’d made love at least three times, taking short breaks in between. She’d known male shifters had a lot of stamina but hadn’t realized human males could be the same. Or, at least, Mitch was.

  “No. Tony has a team waiting to fly to New Mexico. He was up all night getting the permissions needed to fly multiple military grade helicopters that close to the border. If I keep him waiting much longer, he’s going to force his way in here and carry you out naked.”

  She’d forgotten. Being with Mitch, finally claiming him, had pushed everything else from her mind.

  “Don’t,” he ordered.

  “What?”

  “Don’t feel guilty for the pleasure we found in one another. Tony had to get everything prepared anyway. He’s taking three helicopters for this one. Several of the shifters are going, as well as all of alpha team.”

  She swallowed. She was no less leery of jumping into a metal bird this time than she had been the first time around.

  “Maybe, I…”

  She stopped and blew out a breath when Mitch shook his head at her. He was right. She had to go. She was the only one among them who’d actually been there and knew what they were looking for in the facility.

  “Give me a minute to get dressed and get Emery over to Diane.”

  “I’ll be back in five,” he offered, dropping a kiss on her lips before leaving the room, whistling.

  She grinned, noting the spring in his step. She’d put that there and planned to keep it there. Then she rose from the bed, pulling fresh clothes from the ones she’d been loaned and tugging them on. She really needed to get her own things and quit taking advantage of the other ladies’ willingness to share with her. Once she had her boots on, she lifted her son from his crib and cuddled him close.

  “Soon, Mommy won’t be running around all over the place and leaving you with Diane.”

  He watched her with his big, curious eyes, appearing as if he were drinking in her every word.

  “Not that Diane isn’t amazing, but you and I need some downtime where we can snuggle and share kisses. I love you so much, and I promise you that I’m going to take the best care of you. Mitch and I will keep you safe, and when the time comes for you to learn about shifting and what it means to be the special person that you are, you’ll have an entire pride standing by, ready to guide you. You’re going to have everything you need to thrive. I promise you that.”

  “Quinn.” Mitch called her from the doorway, and she cuddled her son close to her chest as she moved to join him.

  “I’ll drive you over to drop him off while the final plans are made. I need to pick up Tony from the medical center anyway.”

  “Why is Tony there? Did he get hurt?”

  “No, Gideon called him and asked him to take a look at Vic.”

  She stared at Mitch as he slid behind the wheel and started the vehicle. There was more to it than that. She knew it. Had known it for a long time.

  “Are you human?”

  Mitch gave her a startled look. “Yes.”

  “But?” she asked when he paused.

  “With enhancements,” he offered.

  “Tony-grade enhancements.”

  He nodded. “I’ll tell you all about them once we’re back. But I’d like to ask that it stays between us for now. Not everyone is ready to share.”

  “All of you are enhanced?”

  “Just alpha team for now,” he answered.

  “No claws and growls and non-human parts inside you?”

  He shook his head as he pulled in the graveled lot by the medical center. “No. Those are just yours. And mine are nothing to fear. I promise you that. Trust me?”

  She didn’t even have to think. “Always.”

  He leaned in and gave her a kiss. “It’s a booster similar to what you’ll be getting. Ours just help with healing in case we’re injured during any of our missions. Plus, it enhances our senses and strength.”

  “Tony made his own super soldiers?”

  Mitch grinned. “In a way, yes.”

  Why didn’t that surprise her? Because nothing to do with Tony surprised her, and still, she found she genuinely liked the man.

  “You drop off Emery, and I’ll go get Tony and meet you back here. Don’t go out without me,” Mitch ordered.

  “I won’t.”

  She kissed Emery a million times before forcing herself to walk away. She promised him one more time that she’d be back soon, and they’d snuggle together. She wasn’t leaving him again. He needed her, and she needed him.

  “Ready?” Tony asked as she joined him and Mitch at the door.

  She nodded, moving into Mitch and leaning against his side as he wrapped his arm around her waist.

  “Let’s find our people and end Blane, once and for all,” Tony said, moving ahead of them out the door. “We need to get loaded up and hit the air. You two will ride with me.”

  A shiver went down her spine. God, she hated fucking helicopters.

  “Your ass will be on that bird, Ms. Jensen,” Tony said, probably picking up on her fear and dismissing it as easily as he had the first time.

  “Just when I was beginning to like him,” she muttered.

  “You love me,” Tony yelled back at her.

  “I love Mitch,” she countered.

  “He’s not selfish. You can love me, too.”

  She growled, and Mitch laughed, cuddling her closer as he slid in the back, letting Tony drive.

  “He’ll grow on you,” Mitch whispered.

  “Like mold, maybe.”

  “I heard that,” Tony said, throwing a glance over his shoulder at them.

  Quinn smiled. She was one of them, sharing the comradery, the jokes and teasing as they joined the rest of the team and loaded up. The others gave her easy acceptance as she sat in Mitch’s lap as if it were perfectly natural. Because it was.

  “What’s on your mind?” Mitch whispered close to her ear.

  “Thinking about how much I want to crawl back in bed with you and have a repeat of earlier.”

  He flushed, and those around them caught on quickly.

  “Not getting nervous are you?” Jonah asked.

  The others took up with that, ribbing Mitch.

  “Must be why Sandman is stationing you at the main house,” one joked. “Keep you safe at home.”

  “I’ll keep you safe,” she offered, and Mitch turned to her.

  “You will, huh?” he asked.

  “Trust me.” She leaned in closer until her lips touched his ear. “I won’t let you down.”

  The future had never looked so promising.

  Want to know what more about the pride? You can find all the books in the Awakening Pride Series at laceythorn.com

  Thank You!

  Thank you for your purchase of HEART OF A LION. If you enjoyed reading
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  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 Oklahoma, mom to three awesome children, one mini goldendoodle, and a black cat. She has a passion for life and romance. She writes possessive, alpha heroes who demand everything from the women they love. 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 laceythorn2007@gmail.com.

  Lacey’s Booklist

  Awakening Pride Series

  Their Wild One (Prequel)

  Waking the Beast

  Tempting the Tiger

  Freeing the Feline

  Saving the Beast

  A Jaguar's Touch

  The Liger's Mark

  Unleashing the Beast

  Eyes on the Pride

  Cry of the Pride

  Mending the Beast

  Heart of a Lion

  Awakening Pride: The Holloways

  His to Bear (comes between The Liger's Mark and Unleashing the Beast)