by Cecilia Lane
Liv nearly doubled over with her laugh, then pointed a finger at Alex. “Yes,” she said between breaths. “I want that!”
Alex canted his head, relaxed grin hitching up his lips. “To bail me out or the costumed cocks?”
Nora snorted and opened her envelope.
We first kissed in this very spot. The first of many. This is where you told me you’d never been called gorgeous. I’m still selfishly pleased I can claim that honor in your memory. I already knew I wanted you more than anyone else in the world, but that afternoon gave me hope I could actually keep you in my life.
Earning your trust then was one of the greatest gifts you could give me. You’ve added a year’s worth of gifts to the pile with the days since. I want to make each day as special for you as you do for me.
Come home, gorgeous.
No more clues. Three words summoned her to their den, but she was certain there was more to the adventure than racing between points of interest.
Lorne waited for her when she arrived at the cluster of huts. He silently took Jolie’s reins and gestured her up the porch.
Nora opened the front door to flickering candles and flowers overflowing nearly every surface. The mantle above the fireplace, the side table, even the kitchen counters all held fragrant blooms. Vines also hung from her easel in the corner he’d converted into her own little art studio.
Of the man himself, there was no sign.
“Jesse?” she called.
She shut the door behind her and stepped further into their home. Theirs. Her small touches—not counting her art supplies—were everywhere. Pillows on the couch. Framed photos of them smiling or making faces or having a blast with the rest of the clan. Jesse had welcomed her into his home and let her make it her own.
On the coffee table and between two candles was another envelope. Her hands shook as she slid a finger under the flap.
Nora,
You weren’t born a shifter. I hate that you weren’t given the choice, but I’m thankful that you chose me. We’ve had a year together under my way of life and I want to honor yours just as much. You’ve been the perfect mate. Will you be my perfect wife?
Nora dropped the note and whirled to find Jesse on his knees behind her. He held out a tiny gold ring topped with three shining diamonds.
“Yes!” Her eyes went round and she slapped her hands over her mouth. “But only if it’s a literal shotgun wedding. We need someone marching you down the aisle and women hiding their shame behind their handkerchiefs. Men eyeballing you like you’ve committed the crime of the century!”
Jesse shook his head with a chuckle and slipped the ring on her finger. “If that’s what you really want.”
Nora grabbed his hand and placed it on her stomach. “Will you be the perfect father to our child?”
Surprise. Shock. Gold eyes, then grey, then gold again. One half of his mouth hitched up, then drew back down in a frown. “You’re pregnant?” he asked, voice choked with emotion.
Nora nodded.
Jesse wrapped his arms around her at the same time she tried to sink to her knees with him. What resulted was an accidental headlock and laughing as they rocked back and forth.
He’d told their story in a series of clues, taking her back through the journey to get where they stood. Imperfect, impossible, but they made it through the fire and out the other side. Loneliness had been banished from both their lives.
Jesse adjusted his grip and buried his nose in the crook of her neck. “I love you.”
He’d done more than set her on solid ground.
He’d given her a family, and now they would start their own.
Nora pressed a kiss to his lips. “I love you, too.”
New Series
Savage Pride: Lion Hearts Book One
Alpha lion who is all growl and bite?
Defiant human with a broken heart?
An enemy out to break them both?
Running from a devastating betrayal, Hailey's wound is salted when car trouble strands her in the path of a snarly lion shifter with a chip on his shoulder the size of Pride Rock.
She can't decide what's worse—his snarky, human hating attitude, or the fact that her judgement sucks and she is falling in love with the devil in sexy blue jeans. But refusing to trust will cost her more than her future happiness... it could cost her life.
Alpha lion Trent has no one but his pride, a group of misfits holding onto control by a claw under his leadership. He doesn't need the complication of a stubborn, mouthy, human woman who looks him in the eye and sets off every instinct to claim.
Especially since his uncle is threatening to solve Trent's Hailey problem with violence.
For Trent isn't the only one who wants to see all humans kicked out of town and lions back at the top of the food chain. He's just the only one who is starting to change his mind...
...the only one who realizes that the love of a mate is worth fighting, dying, and forgiving for.
Savage Pride, Lion Hearts Book 1, is a standalone lion shifter steamy romance. This paranormal with bite is for readers who love enemies to lovers, snarly lion heroes, and sassy not-quite-damsels in distress.
Download now because you crave an alpha too savage to love. . . unless he's your fated mate.
Savage Pride is available on Amazon!
Want more?
Whiskey and Wolves: Shifters and Sins Book One
A single wolf shifter. A surprise baby. Enemies who want to make his little girl an orphan, and his old lady a widow.
Five minutes ago it was just Jensen, a cheap drink, and the start of a brawl with members of a rival motorcycle gang intent on murdering him. He’s happy to let them try—until a former one night stand, Noelle, walks into the bar and pins him with a look of death, revealing they have a daughter.
A little girl with eyes like his, peering at him from behind her mother’s legs.
Five minutes ago he was a single wolf shifter. Now he has to sober up, alpha up, and protect the woman and child who are now a weapon his enemies can use to run him out of town.
It’s hard enough being a single mom, but a single mom to a growing wolf?
Her child’s father is back, an alpha wolf shifter with a bad boy edge. All she needs is for him to teach their daughter how to control her shifter nature. He’s nothing Noelle should want in a man—but everything she craves.
Only she didn't know throwing down the gauntlet in a local bar would mean becoming the targets of the local motorcycle gang. Didn’t know their sizzling chemistry would morph into something deeper, something worth fighting for.
Jensen’s dog days are over. If he can’t shield his mate and daughter from the heat, they’ll all burn.
Whiskey and Wolves is a Bad Alpha Dads steamy paranormal romance, Book 1 in the Shifters and Sins series. This standalone with a HEA is for readers who love their heroes gritty and their heroines willing to step up to the line for life, family, and love.
Whiskey and Wolves is available on Amazon!
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About the Author
Cecilia Lane grew up in a what most call paradise, but she insists is humid hell. She escaped the heat with weekly journeys to the library, where she learned the basics of slaying dragons, magical abilities, and grand adventures.
When it became apparent she wouldn’t be able to travel the high seas with princes or party with rock star vampires, Cecilia hunkered down to create her own worlds filled with sexy people in complicated situations. She now writes with the support of her own sexy man and many interruptions from her goofy dog.
Connect with Cecilia online!
www.cecilialane.com
Also by Cecilia Lane
Shifting Destinies: Shifters of Bear’s Den
Forbidden Mate
Dangerous Mate
Hunted Mate
Runaway Mate
Stolen Mate
Untamed Mate
Shifters and Sins (BAD Alpha Dads)
Whiskey and Wolves
Tequila and Tigers
Bourbon and Bears
Shifting Destinies: Lion Hearts
Savage Pride
Savage Claim