The Lion's Share (The Lion Princes Book 2)

by Leslie Chase

  As the meal was laid out for them, Penelope continued. "I suppose I ought to be flattered that she thought I'd be enough to distract you from your fated love."

  "Honestly, if anyone could it would be you," Mattias said. "But I'm afraid that's not going to happen."

  "I should think not," she replied, smiling and tutting at the very idea. "Maybe now she'll listen to you, though. I can't fathom why someone would try and turn down their fated mate."

  "She made a promise to her parents, apparently. According to them, being around me is too dangerous, and, well, I can't say that they are wrong, not after my childhood. She was nearly killed for being my friend back then, so I can see her parents' point. It's a sticky situation for her."

  "Mm." Penelope nodded at that, frowning in concentration. "That does make it tricky, but here's the thing, Matt. If fate's chosen the two of you, there is a way you can make it work. There always is. So go and find it."

  With that she picked up her fork and speared an oyster from the starter on her plate. Her eyes went wide as she bit into it and for a second she was silent, stunned. Sitting back, she blinked and looked up at him.

  "Okay, you need to stay for the meal first," she said with absolutely certainty. "It would be a crime to miss out on this."

  Mattias grinned and nodded. "I wouldn't be so rude as to ditch you here anyway, you know. Let alone abandon a meal at Massimo's."

  The two of them laughed and dug in to their food, and Mattias felt as though a weight had been lifted from his shoulders. He'd given Sophie's plan a try, and now he knew it wouldn't work he could go back to her. And on top of that, he seemed to have made a friend. The evening couldn't have gone better.

  10

  Sometimes, when she was stressed, Sophie liked to walk the hills outside Lionhead Castle. There was something soothing about being in the quiet night, away from everyone and yet close to home. And the castle itself looked majestic, towers rising against the stars above.

  Tonight she needed that calm and clarity more than ever. And just as much, she wanted to be away from her phones and the temptation to call Massimo's. She didn't know whether they'd tell her anything about how Prince Mattias's date with Penelope was going, but the risk was too high, and it was something that she really didn't want to find out.

  What if it's going well? She felt ill at the thought, taking deep breaths to try to calm herself again. Would it be any better if it were going badly? She didn't know what to think, or what to hope for. Anything that happened would lead to misery for her.

  Sighing, she sat back against a rock and looked up at the full moon hanging overhead. The pale light spilled over the mountainside, washing everything in beautiful silver, and it made relaxing a little easier.

  The faint sound of a nearby stream was the only thing she could hear, and it was tempting to just stay out here forever. To not think about the rest of the world and hope it went away. But that wouldn't happen, and she knew that in the morning she'd have to face her fears.

  At least I can put it off for a while, she told herself. As long as I'm away from the castle, none of it can touch me.

  That wasn't entirely true. Her own imagination was giving her plenty to draw on, and it took an iron effort of will to push the thoughts of the future aside. It was better than being in the middle of things, though.

  Another noise entered her consciousness, something moving aside from the stream. Frowning, Sophie sat up, looking around in the pale light, trying to see what had made the noise. Her mind conjured all kinds of threats in the darkness, wolves or even a bear, and she started to think that being out here on her own wasn't the smartest idea.

  Don't be silly, she told herself. There were few enough dangerous animals in the Leotanian mountains to start with, and she was still so close to the castle and the road leading to it. The odds were long against anything like that finding her.

  But there were other dangers, she realized. Could Captain Praetor find her out here? The thought made her blood freeze and her heart pound, and suddenly she wished that she wasn't so completely out of contact with the world. Out here in the mountains, there was no way for her to call for help.

  The sound came again, closer she thought, from the direction of the stream. And when she looked around, she saw that there was indeed a large man approaching, face hidden in the darkness. His stride was purposeful, and he was coming straight for her.

  Backing away, Sophie swallowed nervously, trying to think about what to do. Her eyes darted left and right, looking for somewhere to hide, but the few rocks on the hillside weren't big enough to conceal her and the man had probably seen her by now anyway. She looked back at him, and saw that he was bounding towards her now, long loping strides eating the distance.

  It was only then that she recognized Mattias. He was still dressed in his dark suit, better suited to a fancy meal than to trekking across the mountainside, and now that he was close enough she could see the smile on his face. Her fear vanished, replaced instantly with anger, and she stepped forward glaring at him.

  "You ass, Mattias," she said as he came to a stop in front of her. "You frightened me half to death, appearing out of nowhere like that."

  "I tried to call ahead, but you weren't answering your phone," he said reasonably, grinning a little wider. She thumped him on the shoulder, fighting her own urge to smile.

  "That's not the point," she told him, though she couldn't have said what her point was. "How did you even find me?"

  Mattias laughed at that. "Sophie, you ought to know better than that. I'm a lion shifter, you're my mate, of course I can track you down in the wild. I have the senses of my lion to follow you with, even if our souls weren't calling to each other."

  That made her shiver. There was something delicious about it, the knowledge that he'd always be able to find her, but it was a little intimidating too. Not frightening, she couldn't imagine Mattias doing anything to hurt her, but still. Forcing herself to ignore that, and the way her body responded to his presence, she shook her head.

  "Shouldn't you be off having fun with Ms. Walters?" she asked, trying to keep the hint of jealousy out of her voice. That would be unfair, being annoyed at him for going on a date with someone that she'd set up.

  Mattias shook his head, rubbing his shoulder where she'd hit him. "No. Sophie, she's a great person, I'm glad you convinced me to meet her. I hope that Penelope will be a good friend. But she isn't my mate, and we both knew that as soon as we met. So now I'm here with you. Where I belong."

  Sophie swallowed, her mouth dry. The simple, powerful statement of fact rocked her, and she struggled to find a way to deny it. Part of her, a powerful part, screamed at her to shut up and accept the truth, but she made herself continue anyway.

  "You can't prefer me to her," she protested. "I mean look at her!"

  "I did. She's very pretty," Mattias said. The words were like daggers to Sophie's heart, but Mattias continued without a pause. "But I'd prefer to look at you. She isn't nearly as beautiful as you are, Sophie. Even if you don't believe it, that doesn't change the truth: you are perfect for me."

  "That's not true," Sophie said, protesting half-heartedly. "It can't be."

  "It is." Reaching out with one strong hand, Mattias stroked her cheek. His touch was electric, making her gasp as lightning flashed through her, igniting her soul. "Sophie, you light up my life and my soul. I only saw Penelope to prove to you that it's you I want. Not her, and not any of the other women in that damned file of yours. You."

  Trembling, Sophie raised a hand to hold his, feeling her heart speed up. She licked her dry lips, nervous and anxious in equal measure, and tried to shake her head.

  "Mattias, you know I want you, too," she said, trying to keep her voice steady as her pulse raced. "But we can't be together. I promised my parents."

  His smile was crooked, almost regretful. "You made a promise to keep yourself safe from the assassins, Sophie. But they're done and dealt with. And if you still need distance from the r
oyal court, that's fine. Wherever you go, I'll go too. We can leave the country, or live on a farm. I don't care, as long as I'm with you."

  She looked up at him, wide-eyed. He'd give up everything for me, she realized. And she knew, deep down, that he meant it. That he'd throw away the wealth and power he had for her in an instant, if she asked.

  "But... the throne," she objected, and Mattias nodded.

  "Yes, we need to deal with that first," he admitted. "But you need to understand that, too. Once it's done, there's no reason for anyone to threaten you. Either I'm the King, or I'm not — that's settled. But until that point, an enemy who works out that you're my mate might want to get at you. I don't think that is something to worry about, but if your parents are afraid of people attacking you because of me, that's the best way to stop it."

  His smile caught the moonlight perfectly, and stopped her objections in her tracks. She couldn't argue with his logic. Or maybe she could have, but the important thing was that she didn't want to.

  Brushing his thumb across her lips, he shook his head and looked her in the eyes.

  "This is right, Sophie," he said, voice barely more than a whisper. It thrilled her, and she felt it run through her whole being. There was no way that she could doubt him, doubt the feelings that he woke inside her. "We are right for one another, and you know that there is always a way. Trust fate, and we'll find it. Together."

  Sophie's lips opened almost of their own accord, kissing Mattias's thumb as it brushed over them. She could hardly think past the strength of the desire he woke in her, the need her body felt. The need she'd been feeling non-stop since they'd met again in the airport. He's right, she thought. How could I have doubted it?

  That felt like madness now. Stepping closer, she reached up to touch his face, feeling the heat of his skin against her fingertips. Her breath caught and he growled at her touch, a low sound that she felt vibrate through her whole body.

  Slowly, carefully, he bent over her, his hand sliding behind her head and guiding her to him. Their lips met and it was as though the touch ignited an inferno in her soul. She pulled him closer, her hand in his blond mane, holding him tight as they kissed.

  With casual strength, Mattias lifted her from the ground and held her tight against him. Whimpering into his mouth as his tongue parted her lips, she clung to him, not wanting the kiss to ever end. Sophie wanted that moment to last forever.

  Growling again, he ran a hand down her back, his fingers caressing through her clothes and making her whimper again with need. More than anything Sophie needed to feel his touch on her bare skin, let him caress her and enjoy her. Just the thought made her heart race, the feelings she'd been suppressing through the long days since his arrival overwhelming the barricades she'd set in her mind.

  She pulled her head back, breaking the kiss, her fingers tugging at his shirt collar and fumbling with the button. Mattias chuckled, setting her down again and letting go. She almost objected as they parted, almost clung to him, but the look in his eyes told her to wait. To be patient.

  It wasn't easy, the fires of her lust burned so high, but she stood back and looked at him.

  He shrugged off his jacket, spreading it on the ground beside him, and then looked at her. The need in his eyes was as strong as hers, and his patience was also at an end. Not bothering to unbutton his shirt, he simply tore it open, baring his chest to her as the buttons flew. Sophie gasped again.

  "God, you look good," she whispered, reaching out to run her fingers across the muscles of his chest. "I've wanted to do this since the moment I saw you again."

  "I know," Mattias said, his eyes sparkling in the moonlight. There was a hunger in his voice, enough to make her shiver again and bite her lip. "I could feel your eyes on me. And I wanted you just as badly."

  Sophie could see that was true. The bulge of his erect cock in his pants was huge, almost intimidating, and she blushed at the sight of it. Trailing her hand down, she stroked across Mattias's chiseled abs, down past his belt. The iron hardness of his shaft made her moan, and Mattias growled at the feel of her touch.

  His hands reached out to her and stroked through her hair, down her neck, fingers leaving trails of desire across her skin. They found the zip of her jacket and slowly slid it down, slipping inside. The touch of him through the thin t-shirt she wore was unbearable. Sophie let go of him long enough to pull off her jacket, and his hands tugged the t-shirt over her head in one smooth motion. She shivered, the cool night air chilling her body. He pulled her to him, the fiery heat of him warming her as they embraced in another kiss.

  Fumbling behind herself, Sophie undid her bra, pulling it out from between them. The feel of his skin against hers was wonderful, perfect, delicious. She could feel the thump, thump of his heart through her skin, and the racing fluttering of her own in response.

  Mattias slid his arms around her again, powerful hands tracing her spine and making her arch against him. Her hands fumbled at his pants, undoing his belt, and he chuckled. The sound of him, his deep voice amused and happy and hungry for her, made her shiver. The feel of his cock in her hand as she freed it made her gasp as well.

  Kissing his way down her neck, Mattias groaned at her touch. Sophie squeezed him gently, marveling at how big and how hard he was, like a rod of iron in her grip. His teeth closed on her skin, nipping gently, making her squirm.

  "I've been thinking about this since I got back," he said as she started to stroke him again. His voice was taut with controlled lust, and between words he kissed her. The touch of his lips left a trail of fire down to her breasts. "I've never wanted anything more than I've wanted you, Sophie."

  Groaning, she threw her head back, pressing her chest to his lips. "Take me, then, Matt. Please. I need you!"

  Mattias could hardly believe he was hearing those words. Sophie sounded overwhelmed with desire, as full of lust as he was, and it was the best sound he'd ever heard. Though he knew that he'd make her make other sounds he'd enjoy even more.

  Lifting her again, he kissed and licked at her nipples, loving the feel of her wonderful, full breasts. The touch of her fingers on his shaft drove him wild, but he wasn't about to lose control of himself. Not now, not on the most important night of his life — the first night with his mate.

  Putting Sophie down, he stepped back, pulling away from her for a moment. The whimper of disappointment she gave was almost comical, but he knew how she felt. Every moment he wasn't touching her felt like a waste.

  Quickly, he kicked off his shoes and pulled off his pants. The night air should have been cold, but the heat he felt for Sophie was more than enough to let him ignore that. It was as though he was on fire, the love and lust he felt for her igniting his body. Sophie stared at him, eyes widening as she looked him up and down, her lower lip caught between her teeth. She looked so perfect, so beautiful.

  "Oh my god," Sophie whispered as he stepped closer again. "I can't believe I'm doing this."

  "Believe it," he told her. Sweeping her off her feet, he held her close again, feeling her skin against him. He couldn't control himself any longer, and neither could she — as he bore her down to the grass, she was struggling with her skirt, fumbling with the fastening. He growled, feeling his lion rise to the surface as he snapped it open for her, yanking her clothes off with a quick motion that made her cry out with joy.

  His lips found her perfect breasts again, kissing and sucking as one of his hands slid inside her black panties. Finding her pussy wet and eager for his touch he stroked his fingers between her folds. Her hands clutched at his hair, pulling him tight to her, an almost painful grip as his finger moved slowly over her clit.

  "Don't," she started, and then cut off with a sudden gasp. "Don't tease me, Matt. I need you inside me."

  "You'll get what you need, don't worry," he said, his voice a low hungry growl. He kept his finger moving in slow circles, her body shuddering to the same rhythm. Sophie arched up against him, her body pressed to his, and he marveled at how perfec
tly they fit together.

  He raised his mouth to hers again, kissing her forcefully. Her lips parted for him, welcoming his tongue into her mouth, and her hands gripped his shoulders hard. Her body tensed against his, and she moved against his finger, breath speeding up as she arched against his hand. Her whole body trembled under him, and then she came apart in a shuddering moment that rocked her.

  She cried out something, he couldn't tell what, but the shout echoed off the mountainside. Her body rocked with ecstasy, and Mattias loved the feel of her coming against him, wrapping herself around him as she moaned and whimpered.

  At last she relaxed, falling back against the grass and panting for breath. Her grip on him loosened and she looked up at the stars above, a dazed and blissful expression on her face. Mattias kissed her gently, smiling and enjoying the sight of her pleasure, the sounds and the smell of it.

  "Mattias Alexander," Sophie whispered eventually. "That was amazing."

  "You deserve that, and more. Every night," he said, leaning over her to plant another kiss on her lips. She grinned up at him.

  "I'm not sure I could survive it every night," she said, her hand stroking his chest. He growled at the feel of her touch, his heart pounding. "Especially since that was just the start. I still need you, Matt."

  Trailing her hand down his body, she ran her fingers over the hard rod of his cock, and both of them moaned in unison. He felt as though he'd been waiting his entire life for her touch.

  He kissed her again, pressing her down into the cool grass as she stroked gently, getting her revenge for his earlier teasing. Mattias wasn't going to put up with that; his hands slid down her, grabbing her panties and with one powerful pull they were off.

  Sophie gasped, her grip on him tightening, and he chuckled as he slipped between her legs. Positioning himself at the opening of her pussy, he felt the heat of her, the need and desire. But he paused, gently rubbing himself against her folds, making his mate moan in frustrated longing.