Second Chance Mates

-42- 🌹 Beautiful

"I get impatient when you're getting dressed. It's just I thought the first one looked the best. You're beautiful, more than I deserve."
~James TW, 'Please Keep Loving Me'

~~~

*Landon's POV*

The morning sun streams in through the window, warming up my bare skin. There are purple bruises and light scratches decorating my body from last night's activities, and I don't mind one bit. After we had slept for about an hour, we woke up and were back to devouring each other. It's as if we can't get enough of one another, now that we've had a taste.

My beautiful mate rests against my chest with one arm slung over my midsection. His eyes are closed, causing his dark lashes to brush delicately against his creamy skin. I smile, pressing a kiss to his forehead and making him stir.

'Oh goddess, please not again,' Ryland's voice in my head startles me. 'Fuck, if we go again I think I might actually break in half.'

I chuckle, rubbing my palm over his smooth bare back. "Honeybee," I whisper, nudging him lightly.

'Maybe if I pretend to sleep, he'll stop being so goddamn horny.'

"Ryland," I laugh harder. "I can hear your thoughts, you know."

His eyes pop open, those pools of honey still in a daze as he tries to focus on my face. We were a bit too... preoccupied last night to stop and remember that we had developed the mind link after mating. Ryland stares at me, half of his body still sprawled over mine.

'I love you,' I try saying over the mind link. The sleepiness vanishes from Ryland's face, and is replaced with a wide grin.

'I love you more,' he says back, and I chuckle softly.

'Impossible.'

I lean in to give Ryland a kiss, but he slaps his hand over my mouth.

'The fuck?' I mentally curse, furrowing my brows.

Ryland's nose wrinkles. 'Morning breath. Ew. Go brush your teeth first if you want kisses.'

Rolling my eyes, I roll out of bed and stretch my arms above my head, stark naked. Ryland's eyes trail over my body, becoming heavy-lidded as the blanket pooled around his waist noticeably begins to rise.

"Who's the horny one now?" I tease aloud, and Ryland's cheeks burn bright red.

"Just go!" He shouts, throwing a pillow at me. I laugh, heading into the bathroom to freshen up. After washing my mouth and taking a quick shower, I fill up a hot bath for Ryland, knowing he's probably in pain. I wince, remembering my first time with Easton. It took a few days before I was walking normally again.

Slipping on a pair of boxers, I head back into the bedroom where Ryland is still sprawled out on the bed. I sit next to him, trailing my fingertips over his love-bitten spine.

"How are you feeling?" I ask softly.

Ryland hugs the pillow beneath him and peeks at me through his eyelashes. "I'm good," he smiles, melting my heart as per usual. "Really good. Last night was perfect."

"Best night of my life," I tell him honestly, and his honey eyes widen.

"R-Really?" Ryland stammers, and I nod my head. He looks skeptical, so I smile warmly and lower the barrier in my mind, allowing him to freely poke around in my thoughts.

"See for yourself," I offer, and he bites his lower lip before his eyes glaze over. I can feel him digging through my memories and subconscious, and I let him do so freely. I have nothing to hide, not from him.

Last night truly was the best night of my life. Not only because of the mind-blowing sex, but because I got to witness a huge moment in Ryland's life. The return of his wolf. The second his eyes flashed from red to gold, I had started crying. Ryland's suffered so much with a feral wolf, and it was the best feeling in the world to see him freed from that prison. Leo had gone absolutely crazy, being able to finally sense River. I know Leo's dying to meet his mate, but we need to wait until River is strong enough.

Ryland pulls out of my mind, his eyes growing watery. He sits up with a wince before throwing his arms around my neck. I carefully pull him into my lap, making sure not to hug him too tightly.

"I was scared," Ryland cries softly into my neck. "It's unfair and selfish, but I've been scared about never measuring up to Easton. And I know that's not fair and I shouldn't have been comparing the two of us, but I couldn't help it. I didn't want to be second in your heart."

My heart aches, and I kiss the side of his head. "It's true that Easton will always be in my heart. I loved him. But... it's different with you. There's a deeper trust between us. Easton may have loved me, but he didn't trust me enough to open up to me. I can't say either of you are first or second, because I love you both."

"I know," he sniffles, shaking his head. "I would never ask you to choose between me and Easton. I just felt insecure and... ugh, forget it. It's dumb."

"Hey," I coo, pulling back to wipe away his tears. The redness in his eyes causes the honey coloring to appear brighter, and somehow even more beautiful. "It's not dumb. Whatever you're feeling, you can tell me about it. I won't judge you for it, so don't ever be afraid to talk to me. Okay?"

Ryland smiles shakily through the tears, leaning in to me a kiss. Copying what he did earlier, I press my fingers against his lips.

"I wasn't the only one with morning breath," I wrinkle my nose. Ryland smacks my hand away and sticks his tongue out childishly.

"My hips hurt," he complains, lifting his arms up. "Carry me!"

I'm more than happy to oblige, lifting my love into my arms and carrying him to the bathroom. Setting him on the counter, I keep him steady as he brushes his teeth, and then I carry him to the tub.

"I feel spoiled," Ryland giggles as I set him carefully in the hot water. Sitting on the side of the tub, I lather the washcloth with soap and begin washing his arms.

"Good," I nod my head, kissing the palm of his hand. "Getting spoiled is what you deserve."

~~~

Landon's character development kills meeee 🖤😭🖤

Does anyone else think of their characters as their children? Cuz I do

Thoughts??

I keep reading stories where the main couple makes out in the morning, and I'm always like "morning breath 🤢"

Q: Do you prefer showers or baths?
[baths, but I mostly take showers]

See you next time!
-Gumbie