My Second Chance

by Shelley Munro

  “G-Good.”

  “You don’t sound certain.”

  “I’m scared.”

  His heart clenched at the vulnerability in her voice. “Why? I won’t hurt you. Gavin and I both want you very much.” One look at the longing on Gavin’s face when he left the room had made this decision easy. He’d do anything for the man, not that making love to Leticia was a hardship. It was something he wanted, and the need was as driving as it had been the first time with Gavin.

  A flush flooded her cheeks, and she refused to look at him. “I know, but it’s not easy. Flashbacks.”

  “I can’t be doing this right then.” Charlie stroked her inner walls with his finger, loving the flushed dewiness of her skin. With gentle suction, he used his mouth to push her higher, wanting to give her new memories to flash back to in moments of stress. She writhed beneath him, responding beautifully to his touch, her hips canting upward as she silently begged him to push her into climax.

  “Ooh,” she whispered, paying attention again.

  “Describe the sensations to me.”

  Leticia huffed out a breath. “Do you always talk so much?”

  Charlie couldn’t help his snort. Talk? Him? Oh yeah, he was Mr. Sensitive and sought after by all the girls. Not. “Tell me.” He put demand in his voice, slashing the words through the air like a whip.

  “I’m wet.” The words came out grudgingly, South Africa heavy in her abrupt reply. She still had misgivings.

  Charlie disregarded her trepidation and continued yammering. “Yeah. That’s good. Tell me more.”

  He could listen to that sexy accent for days. His groin throbbed. He ignored it to concentrate on Leticia. He licked across her clit again before backing up and lapping her scalding honey from every crease, every fold of her pussy lips.

  When she didn’t utter another word, he smiled against her heated flesh. Withdrawing his finger very slowly, he whispered to her about what he intended to do next. “First, I’m going to find a condom.” After a last languorous lick and a quick thrust of his tongue into her entrance, he pulled away. Luckily he knew where Gavin kept his stash of condoms and lube. Charlie retrieved a condom from the bedside drawer and ripped it open.

  Leticia flinched at the crackle of the foil.

  “Do you want me to stop?”

  “No.” He had to lean toward her to catch her whisper.

  “Last chance to say no.” He rolled the condom onto his dick, gritting his teeth at the surge of pleasure. It wouldn’t take much before he exploded. Somehow, he had to hold back, had to keep control until he took care of Leticia and gave her pleasure. This was not the time to fuck up. Once they knew each other better it wouldn’t matter, but when she still wore her scars, he needed to work without haste. At least she’d lost the pinched expression and, apart from her slenderness, she seemed healthy today. The rest had done her good. He bent to suck on a nipple.

  “Charlie.” Her hands clutched at his shoulders.

  “I’m trying to go slow.” Nothing less than the truth.

  “Take me.” Her eyes closed and her lips screwed up as if she expected pain.

  “Do I need to find a flogger? Gavin said he has toys somewhere.”

  “Huh?”

  “You look as if you’re expecting pain.” He moved over her, settling between her parted legs, and kissed her. Slow sips of her lips, giving her the sense he wasn’t in a hurry, even though urgency rode him, his balls drawing painfully tight. The silky skin of her cheek met his bristly chin. Leticia didn’t seem to mind, her harsh breathing sounding like purrs. Her nails dug into his shoulder, clutching him close and encouraging him. He nuzzled her neck and took a bite at the juncture of her neck and shoulder. A loud groan escaped and her fingernails dug in cruelly.

  “Charlie, now. Please. Now!”

  A slight readjustment of his body and his cock lined up perfectly. He pushed just the head of his cock inside the scalding heat of her pussy and stopped, wanting to hear the hungry noises from deep in her throat again. The graze of his teeth at her shoulder brought forth the same sexy noise. Her hips jerked, impaling herself a little more.

  “Don’t tease. Please don’t tease. I need you to fill me.”

  Damn, he wanted that too. With a deep breath, he pushed deeper, the snug fit making him grit his teeth. “Your flesh is parting for me. Feels amazing.” He kept up the pressure, thrusting deep into her pussy until her warm flesh cradled him. Balls-deep, he enjoyed the fiery heat clutching at his cock. He nuzzled her neck, taking tiny bites until he reached the marking spot. He scraped his teeth a little harder, remembering when Gavin had bitten him—the pain mixed with indescribable pleasure.

  When Leticia shuddered, he lifted his head. “Does that hurt?”

  “No. It’s good. Too good. I forgot what it could be like. The sheer pleasure of intimacy and physical closeness.” Leticia bit her lip, shooting him an uncertain glance, as if she’d said more than she intended. “Sorry. No, it doesn’t hurt. I-I like it a lot.”

  Charlie grunted and moved. He plunged his fingers into her hair and pressed his forehead against hers. They stared at each other, the slow, rocking pace of invasion and retreat sending sensual flames licking from his balls. Every sensation—he wanted to draw them out to give as much pleasure as he received. Each spear of his cock into her dew-slicked flesh tugged at his heart. Hard to believe he could have such heart-pounding sex with two people in such a short amount of time. Hell, it would be so hot with the three of them together. He grabbed the taut globes of her ass, lifting her so his strokes went deeper. Leticia whimpered, and he realized he’d increased the pace, starting to pound into her. The bolts of pleasure increased, a fine sheen of sweat coating his body.

  She seemed so fragile, yet the flush of arousal filled her face and crept down her neck to her beautiful breasts. Lifting up, she strained to meet his thrusts, the wet sounds of fucking filling the air. “Am I hurting you?”

  “Nooo,” she wailed. “Make me come. Please. Please. Pleeease.”

  “That I can do.” Sparks of desire ignited almost continually and his balls drew up tight, the pressure to come nipping at his willpower. He removed his hands from beneath her butt and smiled at her. “Touch your breasts. Show me how you’d like me to touch you.”

  “That won’t make me come,” she muttered with a dark glare.

  “If you show me what you like, I’ll return the favor later on. Hell, I’m secure. You can even critique my performance.”

  Pleasure surged through him when she laughed. It made him realize she didn’t laugh much.

  “Deal.” With an expression of concentration, she cupped her breast and squeezed a nipple between finger and thumb, rolling it. As he watched, the color changed from pink to dark red. She groaned, arching upward and grinding her clit against him in a needy move.

  His breath went shallow and in a silence thick with sensual tension, he withdrew until only the head of his cock rested in her before surging back inside with a seamless stroke. The heat. Damn. It was alluring. It was amazing. Addictive. He reached between them, rolling his finger across her swollen clit, keeping to the same rhythm she used when fingering her nipple. She gasped. Sighed. Charlie paused, intrigued by the emotions playing across her face before continuing to drive them both to climax. His strokes became shorter, more erratic while his finger massaged her slippery clit, giving her enough for pleasure without pushing her over the edge.

  “How much more can you take?” Slow. He needed to go slower. Far too good to rush. He reduced the speed of his strokes, drawing a sob of protest from Leticia.

  “Please. It’s been so long. I need this.”

  His finger strummed across her again. Each leisurely stroke into her wet heat contradicted the pounding need, the bubble of desire in his balls, almost ready to erupt. She was right. No more. Not right now. He stopped trying to prolong their lovemaking, using a firm stroke on her clit and increasing the speed again, driving into her with hard digs. Her sheath flexed, grippi
ng him sweetly. Another touch of her clit and she cried out. A final strum sent her over the edge. She shattered, her cry of pleasure almost a scream. Her flesh rippled around his cock, his rapid strokes and the relaxation of his resolve to hold back did the rest. He pounded into her, semen rushed up his cock and exploded from him while her pussy milked him of every drop.

  “Damn. Leticia.” He wanted to say a lot more, except that was all he could get out. Hopefully she’d put it down to a male thing and basic communication. He liked to praise his partners, tell them how sexy they were and how beautiful they looked with the flush of arousal shining on their skin. This time he had nothing. Instead, he grasped her tight, only moving when her insistent shoving at his shoulders told him his weight was a problem. Charlie rolled until she lay on top of him.

  “Thank you,” she said in a solemn voice.

  “Are you being polite?”

  “No. That was good. I didn’t think I’d ever have sex again.”

  “Why not? You’re beautiful. Sexy. Any male would be lucky to have you in their bed.” The thought of another man with his hands on Leticia brought a frown.

  “I have FIV. Gavin must have told you I’m dying.”

  Shock whopped him in the chest. “He said nothing about dying.” He’d said she was worse…

  “It’s true. I have all the symptoms. None of the shifter males looks at me, apart from Gavin. I’ve lost weight, sleep little—”

  “Don’t say that. You’re beautiful.”

  “I’m going bald!” she blurted.

  It was as if someone had wrenched his heart and squeezed it in a cruel grip. For fleeting seconds he didn’t know what to say, how to make it better. Tears sparkled in her eyes, and as he watched one ran free, tracking down her cheek.

  “Babe.” He rubbed away the tear with his thumb. Then he held her and let her cry. He murmured soft words of nonsense and ran his hand up and down her tense back until she relaxed and the hoarse sound of her sobs didn’t fill the room.

  About five minutes later he realized she’d fallen asleep. She didn’t even wake when he released her and gently rolled her into the middle of the bed. He removed the condom, covered her and left the room, closing the door after him. Although he’d intended to shower here, he didn’t want to wake her and decided to let her sleep. Charlie grabbed his bag and after writing a note telling her to join him at the café later if she wanted, he left the house to have a shower at his own place. Running away perhaps, but he needed time.

  When he parked outside the police station ready to start work, turmoil still churned inside. In one magical week he’d found two people to love. Logic told him it was impossible, although that didn’t stop his heart from lurching at the thought of holding and touching either Gavin or Leticia. Kissing them. His fingers prodded the mark at his neck, desire sizzling painfully through him. He’d found his future. An exciting time, yet how could he celebrate when one of them was going to die?

  Chapter Seven

  Gavin left the foal in safe hands, quietly confident about its chances of survival since they’d managed to get it to drink. He glanced at his watch and knew he didn’t have time to go home, yet he turned his vehicle in that direction anyway. Charlie’s car wasn’t there when he arrived at his house so he went to the police station, deciding it would be best to talk to him before he saw Leticia.

  “Charlie, are you busy?”

  “Good morning, Gavin,” Laura said, a brow rising to remind him of his manners.

  “Laura. Hi. I need to speak with Charlie. It’s important.” His gaze darted to Charlie, trying to communicate his urgency.

  Inquisitiveness blazed in Laura. Gavin could tell she wanted to ask questions. She opened her mouth but Charlie stood. “I’m going to the café. Can I bring you back a coffee?”

  Laura nodded. “Sure. I’ll take my usual.”

  “Right.” He stood and rounded his desk, brushing a casual kiss on Gavin’s lips. “I left my wallet at your place. Do you have money?”

  Some of the tension trickled out of Gavin. He caught the startled expression on Laura’s face, followed by her grin. “Yeah, I have money. Is Leticia okay?”

  “I left her sleeping.”

  Aware of Laura’s wagging ears, Gavin asked no more questions. They’d already given her enough private information, and he could see she was dying to voice her curiosity. “Good. I don’t have long. I’m meant to be over at the Jensens’ farm to look at one of their cows.”

  Charlie stalked over to the door and opened it for him before turning back to Laura. “Won’t be long.”

  “I wasn’t sure if you wanted to let people know about us,” Gavin murmured.

  “I refuse to hide our relationship. We’re mates.” Charlie shot him a quick glance before starting down the steps. “Sorry to hurry you, but I don’t have long either.”

  Even more of the tension left Gavin’s shoulders, and he jogged to catch up with Charlie. There was something else they needed to discuss. Gavin knew it, except he hesitated. He could smell Leticia on Charlie, and it pushed at his feline. But what else could he expect since he’d left them in bed together?

  “Leticia cried herself to sleep.”

  “What happened?” Despite his worry, a hint of jealousy tugged at him. He’d wanted Leticia for so long. He knew none of this was Charlie’s fault but it didn’t stop his regret or envy.

  “We made love.” Charlie stopped walking, his expression one of caution. “Is that a problem?”

  Jealousy swelled into a gnawing ache in his gut. “Don’t mind me.” Gavin strode away from Charlie, attempting to get his riotous emotions under control. Leticia—damn, this wasn’t bloody fair. Finding a mate should be a time of celebration. Instead, envy festered in him at the thought of Charlie and Leticia together.

  “Dammit, Gavin. Don’t do this. You left us alone. You must have known what would happen.” Charlie grabbed his shoulder and dragged him to a halt.

  “What about me?”

  “What about you? You’re my mate. You’re Leticia’s mate. We both need you. Get a grip and help her. She thinks she’s dying, Gavin.”

  Gavin swallowed, the truth hitting him with blinding force. It was possible she would die, and the thought of it killed him, worse than the resentment eating him. “I won’t lie to you. It’s not looking good for her. And it’s true I’m having a problem handling my feelings about you being with Leticia. If it weren’t for the virus, we’d be together.”

  Charlie’s mouth firmed, his eyes flashed as he shoved open the door to the café. The doorbell tinkled when they entered. Emily appeared from out the back. “Hi, Emily. I’ll take my usual and a takeaway coffee for Laura.”

  Fuck, that hadn’t come out too well. “I’ll take an orange juice,” Gavin said. “Grab a seat and I’ll pay.” He tugged his wallet out of his rear jeans pocket and handed over a twenty-dollar note, joining Charlie in the far corner. “Sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. I…sorry, okay?” To his relief, Charlie gave a curt jerk of his head in acknowledgement. Gavin’s breath eased out as he surveyed the inhabitants of the café.

  A harried mother sat at one table, drinking a coffee while keeping an eye on her two toddlers. Two elders occupied another table, both members of the council who governed the felines in the area. A chessboard sat between them. Gavin gave them a respectful nod before turning his attention to Charlie again.

  “How was it when you were with Leticia?” Gavin had to force the words out, mostly because he didn’t like to think of Leticia with another male. He held his breath, waiting for the answer even though he didn’t want to know. His hands fisted on his lap and he consciously relaxed them.

  “It was as if we belonged, the same as me and you.” Charlie forced a smile at Emily when she delivered their drinks and waited until she left before speaking again. “I wanted to bite her shoulder. I don’t understand because I’m not feline.”

  Gavin sighed. “I’m not sure I understand either.” The doorbell tinkled, and he ca
st a disinterested glance at the new arrival—until he saw her. “It’s Leticia.”

  “I left a note for her,” Charlie said. “I figured she’d do better with normal things.”

  “Good thinking.” He cast a quick professional eye over her. She looked brighter than the previous day, a delicate flush in her cheeks instead of the paleness. Too thin though. “Hi, sweetheart. How are you today?” He stood and pulled out a chair for her.

  Leticia sat, her gaze flickering over to Charlie. The color in her face intensified. “Still a bit tired. I think I could sleep for a week.”

  Charlie took her hand. “So you sleep. No problem.”

  “Leticia, what do you think about Charlie?”

  Her mouth dropped open. “That’s personal,” she snapped, tossing her head. Her brown eyes flashed, shooting golden lights at him.

  “Tell me.”

  “I…I think he’s my mate, except that’s not possible. Right?” Confusion clouded her eyes when she looked to him for answers. “Because you and I…”

  Gavin let out a slow breath because it was the same with him—they were both mates. It was what he’d told Saul and Lucas. “I’ve never heard of a three-way mating before.”

  “And now you have,” Charlie said. “Get over it and deal. We’re together—all three of us.” He rose abruptly. “Gotta go. I’ll see you both tonight at your place.” He paused to scowl at both of them. “We’re sleeping together. Get plenty of sleep this afternoon, babe. You’re gonna need it.” He took two steps before stopping. Turning, he returned and brushed a kiss over Leticia’s lips. He squeezed Gavin’s shoulder before kissing him too. “See you later.”

  They both stared after him while he collected a takeaway coffee from Emily and strode out the door.