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

Chapter 54

Lincoln was completely overwhelmed. He was doing his absolute best to hide it from Gen, but he wasn't sure how good of a job he was doing. Sitting there listening to her and Melissa talk about everything she'd been through had completely shattered him. He didn't really know Gen very well yet, but he was beginning to understand why she was the way she was. She'd been through hell, and mostly as a child. She'd been through things that no child should ever have to go through.

He hadn't really said much, though. He'd just sat listening to it all, feeling as though each new thing that was discussed had made his heart ache anew. He'd hated it, hated that he hadn't been able to be there for her. Hated that he hadn't known her earlier. Hated that she'd had to go through so much pain and suffering for so long.

He'd watched them run all the tests, and even though he knew she was perfectly fine, he'd still held his breath, waiting for the worst. Of course, it hadn't come, but he'd felt the tension rolling off of both Melissa and Gen beforehand. He couldn't blame them. How horrible to live through all of that. How horrible to have to watch your child go through all of that.

Linc needed to be alone with Gen before he went to work. He needed to hold her and reassure himself that she was fine. He could kick himself. Besides all she'd been through, he'd almost taken another female as his mate. What the hell had he been thinking? Genevieve Sawyer was a gift. One he would treasure for the rest of his life. However long that might be.

The moment they were in his apartment, Linc picked her up and carried her back to his bedroom.

"Linc?" Gen asked, surprised by his actions.

He sat down in his chair and turned her so that she was facing him. Then he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her against him, holding her tightly. She rested her head on his shoulder and let him hold her. They stayed that way for a good fifteen minutes or so, just holding each other, before he finally spoke. "Sorry. After hearing all of that, what you've been through, I just needed to hold you for a while, and I couldn't exactly do that downstairs."

"I thought you were bored," she murmured.

"What? No. More like overwhelmed by it all. I can't even fathom what you've been through. Gen, you're the bravest female I know. You're absolutely amazing," he told her, kissing her cheek.

"I don't feel like it," she said.

"You're a survivor. You still have a sense of humor through all of that. I honestly wish I'd met you earlier," he told her.

"I still have issues. Even now. Insecurities," she admitted.

"There are people here you can talk to if you want. Anything you need, I'll help you with. But do you feel better now, knowing that you're okay?" he asked.

"Yes. I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. Thank you for suggesting it." She snuggled into him.

Linc smiled. He really loved having her around. "I have to get ready to go to work."

She sighed softly but sat back and looked at him. "I know."

He stood. "Wrap your legs around me, beautiful."

She laughed and did as he asked, and he carried her back into the closet before setting her down. "Lincoln?"

"Yeah?"

"I want you to complete the mate bond with me." She reached up and cupped his cheek, her eyes glowing brightly.

Lincoln studied her for a long moment, then nodded. Her words were music to his ears, and she wasn't saying it in the heat of the moment. "Okay. After I get home from work. You're mine then."

She smiled, and he leaned down and kissed her deeply. Gen clung to him, holding him against her for a long moment before she let go. She moved over and sat down on the bench inside while he changed clothes.

"If you want to move stuff in while I'm at work, go ahead. I'll be home around eleven. We can complete the mating bond then, or we can do it in the morning, depending on how you're feeling."

"Okay," she agreed.

"I'll see you then, Genevieve." He leaned down and kissed her once more, a deep, promising kiss of things to come.

"Have fun at work," she said when the kiss ended.

"Hardly," he muttered, then smiled before he left the room. He had a feeling work was just going to be in his way from now on. He was becoming rapidly addicted to his mate in a way he never had been with Gina.

He'd always enjoyed his job before, enjoyed going and cooking the night away, but now all he wanted to do was spend the night at home snuggled in bed with Gen. Maybe it was getting close to time for him to quit and do something else.

He still needed to discuss Brianna's offer with Gen. It hadn't really crossed his mind, but then they'd barely spent any time together. He had some time still before he had to make a decision. If Gen liked to cook, maybe she could join him in the kitchen. He wouldn't mind teaching her some things. But then his thoughts took on more of a sexual nature as he began to think of other things to teach her.

Last night had been rather shocking. Virgin or not, Gen wasn't completely naïve. She'd read enough that she'd done a fine job of pleasuring him. When he'd stripped down to nothing, he'd done it with the intention of putting himself in a more vulnerable position and giving her the opportunity to explore and take her focus off of her own body. A blowjob had been the last thing on his mind. He'd resigned himself to going to bed with blue balls, and he was perfectly fine with that, but his little minx had surprised him.

He wondered how open she'd be to some more kinky things. He wasn't under the illusion now that she probably had no clue about any of that stuff, but he also had no idea if she'd be down for it. Or at least willing to try. They'd get there eventually, but he wanted her to be completely comfortable with vanilla sex first. He needed to make it as comfortable for her as possible, physically. It was the one thing he was worried about. Gen was tiny, and her pussy was very tight. He was worried about hurting her.

He was already working on a game plan in his mind about how he'd handle it all. Multiple orgasms before he even considered penetration. He needed her to be very turned on and very wet. And he definitely couldn't wait to get his face buried back in her pussy. That was one meal he would never get tired of.

The night passed way too slowly for Linc's liking. He was over it before it even began, and his shift felt like it took forever. At least he didn't screw anything up, but he still was beyond ready to go home, and the moment the kitchen closed, he went into cleanup mode and got everything in order for the next shift.

The restaurant served breakfast as well on the weekends, though Linc never worked those shifts. He preferred making breakfast at the pack house, though he hadn't even done that the last few mornings. Brianna knew he'd found his mate, though, and had told him with a laugh that she'd see him in a month.

Linc pulled off his apron and chef jacket, glad the night was over. He couldn't wait to get home to Genevieve. He clocked out, then headed outside. Gina's scent filtered under his nose the moment he neared his truck, and he cursed under his breath. How many times did he have to tell her no before she finally got the hint?

She was standing there, leaning against his truck, waiting for him. "Hello, Lincoln."

"Gina. What are you doing here?"

"I'm giving you one more chance, Linc. One more chance to willingly take me back," she said.

He stared at her, annoyed that she was taking up his time. He could also smell another male on her, which really pissed him off. "No. And that's final. I'm done. Stop harassing me."

She glared at him. "Fine. Then you leave me no choice."

Linc became aware of a sound behind him, and he started to turn, but someone grabbed him, and everything suddenly went black.