The Chef's Sick Mate (Book 17 of the Regal Eclipse Pack Series)

Chapter 38

Linc could barely concentrate on his job that night. He'd screwed up two orders because he was so distracted, and that really annoyed him. He never screwed up orders. He was typically completely focused on the task at hand. But Genevive was on his mind, and she was all he could think about. He wondered how long she was going to hold him off until she finally approached him. Not long, he hoped. He wanted to get to know her and see what she was like.

Gina had never distracted him like this. Ever. He was beginning to think that taking her as his Chosen Mate had definitely been the wrong decision. Besides the cheating. His attraction to Genevieve Sawyer was so much stronger than it had ever been with Gina. 

His shift that night seemed to take forever, and he had to force himself to focus on his job, and not his beautiful little mate. It wasn't easy, but somehow, he managed to finish up the night without screwing anything else up. 

Even the head chef had commented on it. "Hey Linc, I heard you overcooked those beef medallions tonight. Twice. And here all this time, I was beginning to think you weren't human."

Linc had rolled his eyes at that comment. Of course he wasn't human, but the chef didn't need to know that. "I'm not perfect," he replied. 

"I was beginning to think you were. Half the time I think you're better than me at this shit," he muttered under his breath. 

Linc kept his face expressionless at that comment. He knew the chef never meant for him to hear it. He could probably fight to be the head chef if he wanted to be, but considering what he was, and the new opportunity he was being offered, he'd hold back on that. He'd bide his time and wait and see what happened. It wasn't like he didn't have all the time in the world. 

Finally, once the night was finished, and the last meal served, he turned his attention to cleaning up. Once that was done, he clocked out and headed to his truck. He breathed in the cool air that sharpened his senses and frowned when Gina's scent hit him. He sighed internally. The woman didn't take no for an answer. For being a submissive in bed, she could be a hellcat when she wanted to be.

He looked up and saw her standing there next to his truck, waiting for him. Her makeup was flawless, her hair perfect. It did nothing for him. For the first time since he'd known Gina, she did absolutely nothing to stir his body.

He'd been attracted to Gina from the moment he'd laid eyes on her. Those pouty lips of hers, those big brown eyes, the confident way she carried herself, her large perky tits, and perfectly round ass. But then he'd gotten to know her, and he loved her personality too. And the sex, he'd enjoyed every single second of it. Learning what she liked sexually had been intriguing and something new for him. But he hadn't minded it at all. "What are you doing here, Gina?"

"Linc, I miss you so much. What can I do to get you back?"

She was definitely not dressed for the weather. She was wearing stilettos and a trench coat. If he was still with her, he might consider laying her on the front seat of his truck and eating her out. Bringing her practically to orgasm and then leaving her hanging until they got home. But now, the idea wasn't the least bit appealing to him. "Gina, you ruined it when you cheated on me. I told you that before. I will not take you back. There's nothing you can do that would make me want you back. That's just the way it is."

She pouted her pretty full lips, and then turned so that her back was to the restaurant and opened her coat. Linc wasn't the least bit surprised that she was naked underneath that coat. It was such a Gina thing to do. She wasn't opposed to public displays of nudity and they'd played more than once in places they probably shouldn't.

But it heightened everything. There was always the anticipation of getting caught. He enjoyed it so much. He could probably fuck Gina on stage somewhere and not think twice about it. Or at least he could before. Now, even though he knew every inch of her body and exactly how to make her cum so easily, none of that did anything for him. He was aware that if this had happened a few days ago, he'd be hard as a rock right now. But he wasn't.

And the one thing he would never do was let anyone see him with Genevieve. She was his. Her body, her pleasure, all of it was his. He would never share any part of her with anyone. The thoughts startled him, but he realized it was true. 

Gina closed the distance between them and reached out to feel his cock. A frown marred her face when she realized he wasn't the least bit hard and as soon as she came to that conclusion, he grabbed her hand, pulling it away from him. Her touch was repulsive now and he really didn't want her hands on him. No thank you. 

Gina was shocked; that was obvious. She'd enjoyed the power she'd held over him, being able to turn him on so easily. But the moment he'd locked eyes with Genevive, Gina had lost that power. She looked up at him, meeting his gaze and let out an exasperated breath. "What's wrong, Linc? Did you need something to help you get it up now?"

He glared at her, but didn't take her words to heart. There was no reason to. He knew exactly what was wrong: Gina just didn't arouse him anymore. Only one woman would be able to do that now and it most definitely wasn't her. It could have been, but she'd broken his trust. "How many times do I have to tell you no more?"

She wrapped the coat around herself, flipped him off and turned and walked away, swinging her hips the way he used to like. He sighed and got in his truck. She needed to give up. At the moment, he was glad he hadn't reacted to her. If he had, she might have been more persistent.

He returned home and took a long shower, relaxing under the hot water. His gaze moved to the bench in the shower. He hoped Genevieve was up for some kinky sex. The idea of her bent over that bench while he mated her from behind was definitely arousing. He pushed the thought out of his mind. Who knew how far into the future that would be.

Linc got out of the shower, dried off and crawled in bed. He lay there for a long moment, staring at the ceiling. He sort of wished he knew her number or could mind link her. Hopefully she would join the pack soon. He wanted to talk to her. Even if it was just through text. He picked up his phone and called Aidan. 

"What's up Linc?" Aidan said by way greeting. 

"Will you give me her number?" Linc asked him. 

Aidan was quiet for a moment, and he wondered if he was asking Ana. He finally replied. "I'll text it to you. She knows your name." 

"Thank you." Linc disconnected the call. 

The text came in a moment later, and he stared at it for a long moment. Would he freak her out if he texted her? But it would open up a line of communication between them, which was what he wanted. He finally gave in and texted her. 

Hi Genevive. This is Lincoln. I hope you don't mind, but Aidan gave me your number. He hit the send button and sucked in a small breath, hoping she wouldn't be upset that he'd gotten her number.

It took a full five minutes before she texted him back, and he'd started to think maybe she wouldn't. But then his phone went off, and a reply popped up on his screen. Hi Lincoln. Aidan told me you were working tonight.

He smiled happily. She didn't seem to mind. He quickly saved her number in his phone before he responded. Yeah, I just got home about an hour ago. Did you get moved in?

We got all of our things moved into the apartment. I really haven't put much of my stuff away yet though. Have to do that still.