The Claiming by Cooper Book 3
Layan’s Return by Cooper (Jara & Mason)
Chapter 40
Layan
After I eat, and I devoured everything Elijah put in front of me, I realize he’s right. While I’m in his clothes which are clean, I’m not anywhere close to being clean. I’d been hiding in rock structures and hiding spots in the ground for days when Elijah found me.
I smile, watching as he gets the water going in the tub before moving to get some shampoo and body wash.
He found me, like I knew he would. And then, this man who I had already decided was going to be my mate, made sure that I claimed him first. I feel so lucky to have him as my mate.
He turns his head, flashing me a s*e*xy smile. “What’s on your mind, beautiful?”
“You.” I say, unabashedly.
“Mmmm, I like the sound of that. Anything in particular about me that has you feeling all warm inside.” I blush. It will take some time to remember that he can feel my emotions.
I step up to him as he stands from the tub. “You found me, you insisted that I choose you, claim you first.”
He tucks my hair behind my ear. “I will always find you. And it was important for you to have the control this time.”
I cup his face in my hand. “It’s the reason I chose you to be mate even before you found me. Because that’s the kind of man you are, the kind of man I can happily bind my life to.”
He leans in, kissing my lips softly. I can feel his desire for me, it’s intoxicating, overwhelming. I wrap my arms around his neck, holding him to me as we kiss. His arms wrap around me, engulfing me in his love and protection.
I sigh into our kiss. I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to get enough of this.
He pulls back, looking at me. “Time for a bath. I can step out…”
“No, I want you to stay. I have to get used to being around you when I’m naked, right?”
“I just claimed you, Layan. We don’t have to rush into anything.”
“I want you to stay.”
“Okay, let’s get you out of these clothes.”
Now I know I’m blushing a bright shade of red. Other than when I shift, I’ve never been naked in front of a man.
I let him help me out of his clothes, then he steps back, keeping hold of my hands, holding them out, watching me at first, then taking his time to look over my body. I begin shifting uncomfortably at his gaze, but when it returns to mine, I see nothing but appreciation.
“You’re beautiful, Layan.”
My hand automatically goes to the scar from the mark the Alpha tried to give me last year. Elijah’s hand covers mine. “You have nothing to be ashamed of. This is me. Me and you. No one else matters.”
I let my hand drop away and he gives me an approving smile.
“In you go.” He says, holding my hand and helping me into the tub.
I sit, moaning at the warmth that is soaking into muscles that I hadn’t realized were sore. Elijah kneels beside the tub behind me. “Lean back. We’ll get your hair wet, and I’ll wash it for you.”
He takes his time, massaging my scalp, running his soapy fingers through my hair then rinsing it all away. He then puts conditioner on it before rinsing it out.
I feel deliciously relaxed and warm and safe. I turn, looking at Elijah who is letting the soapy water out while he replaces it with fresh, warm water.
“Will you join me, Elijah?” I ask. I’m not sure how far I will feel comfortable going tonight, but I know I’d like to at try to be skin to skin.
He looks up at me, frowning. “I’m not sure that’ s a good idea, Layan.”
Of course, he wants to be careful with me. I should have known I was moving too fast. I nod, ducking my head so he can’t see my embarrassment at his refusal.
He gently takes my chin and pulls my face so I’ m looking at him. “My body is very aroused being this close to you. I don’t want to scare you. That’s the only reason I’m hesitant. It has nothing at all to do with you, Layan.”
I frown at him. How did he know?
He taps his mate mark. “I can feel your emotions. They are pinging all over the place. Tune into mine, mine are very singularly focused on you.”
I watch him as I do what he’s asked and the moment I do, I feel it. A very, VERY strong desire to be with me.
I know I blush again. Wow. There’s no hiding his emotions, now that I’m paying attention. “Do you understand now?”
I nod. “Yes, but…. but I still want you to join me.”
He sighs, then nods. “If anything becomes too much at any time, you tell me, okay?”
“Okay.” I turn to watch him undress. I feel a slight hesitation in our bond before he begins taking off his shirt. I’m pretty sure my mouth waters at the sight of him. I’ve been around Elijah a lot, but he’s always had his clothes on. His body is…. impressive.
He begins to undo his shorts, watching me as he does. I instantly see his erection and wow is he big. Really big. Yeah we’ll be putting that off for another day. But the rest of him….
I lick my lips and my fingers twitch wanting to touch him.
When I look back up, he has a smug smile on his face. “Those emotions were unexpected, but very much wanted.” He says.
“You’re….gorgeous.” I say and I see his d*ic*k twitch in response.
I look back up at him. “Don’t let it scare you. Your pace, remember?” I nod.
“Sit up, I’ll scoot in behind you.”
I do and he gets in, his body considerably larger than mine taking up the entire tub. He somehow manages to sit me between his legs before pulling me back against him and grabbing a washcloth. Tingles ignite all over my back where his skin is touching mine.
I look up at him. “Do you feel that?.”
“I do.”
“Do you think it’s the bond?”
“Yes, it’s much stronger now that we’re both marked.” He says, squeezing water over my body.
He begins to slowly run the soapy washcloth over my body. His touch feels so good, my breathing increases, and something warm begins to form in my stomach. I want more.
I sit up, turning around and crawling into Elijah’ s lap, my legs straddling his.
“Layan?”
“I want more, but I don’t know what I want.”
He reaches out his hand. “Put my hand where you want me to touch you.” He says.
I think about it a moment. I feel achy in several parts of my body, but one is easy and I put his hand over my b*rea*st.
He keeps his eyes on mine as he slowly caresses my b*reas*ts. When he grazes his thumb over my n*ipp*le, I gasp. Hot desire pulses through me. I watch as Elijah’s eyes darken, enjoying my response to his touch.
He sits up, cupping the back of my head in his hand. “Lean back.” He says softly, and I do, trusting him.
Slowly, he leans down and when he’s in front of my b*reas*t, his tongue snakes out, licking my nipple.
My body jerks from the pleasure.
“Do you like that?”
“Yes.” I say, my voice barely a whisper.
I look down at him as he sucks my nipple into his mouth. I can feel his tongue swirling around it, making me whimper.
His low growl of pleasure only makes my heated body hotter. His other hand comes up and as he continues to lick and suck on one nipple, his finger and thumb begin to tease and tug on the other one.
“Elijah.” I say, my head falling back, my hand holding his head to me as I arch into his mouth.
“Oh goddess, Elijah, don’t stop.”
He continues his teasing and sucking, and my body wants more, wants something I can’t quite reach.
I begin rocking on him, feeling his length sliding between my lower lips. My arousal begins to perfume the air around us and I begin to move faster, enjoying the firmness of his length against my clit.
His hand comes to my hip, guiding me, moving me faster.
“Elijah.” I say, putting my hands on his shoulders and moving faster, chasing this feeling, this feeling like I’m almost there, almost to a point where everything will be so good.
He grabs hold of my hips with both hands moving me faster and faster. His mouth comes off my nipple with a loud ‘pop’ before he sits up looking at me.
I’m almost there, I can feel it. Then, Elijah looks at me.
“I love you, Layan.” He says and somehow, that’s what pushes me over.
I scream his name, feeling my body contracting, convulsing in the most intense, pleasing way I’ve ever felt. A moment after I scream his name, Elijah growls, much louder than before, and I feel his length contracting under me before I feel a warm wetness shooting up between us.
He takes my head in his hand again, pulling my forehead to his, both of our chests heaving.
“That’s what it’s supposed to feel like, only someday, I’ll be inside you when it happens.” He says, leaning his face forward and taking my mouth in the most passionate kiss we’ve ever shared.
I don’t hesitate, I kiss him back knowing that yes, someday soon, we will complete our mating as we should and then, I will truly be healed.