by Moxie North
Without a word, Everett carried her towards the bathroom, which was the only other door in the room. Seeing a large soaking tub with a wide tile surround he sat her gently down, kissing the tip of her nose.
Spying an artfully arranged grouping of candles, he fished into his pocket for a pack of matches he’d grabbed at the chapel. He turned on the tub faucets with a twist, added some complimentary bath salts and bubble bath, then lit the candles. Once he was happy with his set up, he went to the wall and flicked off the lights.
“What are you up to Mr. Hayes?” Layla was loving watching him prep each thing that he thought would make her happy. His consideration for her was surprising since she’d never had that before from any man.
“Giving my mate what she asked for. A bath,” he explained, pulling her to her feet and reaching around to find her zipper. He slowly pulled it down as he placed kisses along her collarbone. Reaching the bottom of her back with the zipper, he let his hand slide into her dress cupping her ass.
“And what do you need, Everett?”
“I need my girl. I need her to be happy and content. I’ll stop at nothing to make sure she has that,” he said, as he shifted her dress off her shoulders. The dress fell to the floor in a puddle.
“I am happy and content, Everett. But I need to know what I can do for you. I’ve never been so coddled, I feel like you’re giving and I’m just taking. It seems unfair,” she explained. Shit, she felt exposed admitting that to him. The chance that he would realize she was being selfish and stop what he was doing was a distinct possibility.
“Don’t you know?” he asked, brushing her hair back from her face.
She looked at him confused.
“It’s been three hours and you’ve already made me a better man. How can that compare to a few bubbles and candles.”
Crap, that hit straight to her heart. Layla felt her eyes well up, how on earth could she feel so much for this man so fast?
“I love you, Everett. Truly, madly, deeply. All the way to my toes,” she said, a tear tracking down her cheek. She didn’t know if she was relieved saying it or freaked out. The feelings were there, she’d never felt them before, so they had to be love right?
Everett raised his finger to catch the tear. He used it to brush over lips. “I love you too, Duchess. Down to my toes,” he told her then gave her a deep, toe curling, pussy clenching kiss. They hugged and held each other for a while. She would have been happy staying like that all night.
“Bath time,” he said quietly.
Looking up at him, she sniffed and nodded. Shit, she needed to get herself under control. Layla Klein did not cry naked in a bathroom. Wait, Layla Hayes, didn’t cry in bathrooms. That would be a change for her to remember.
Everett helped her into the tub, then watched for a moment as she sank in and the relaxation washed over her features. She was so fucking beautiful in the candlelight, it wasn’t even fair. Her beauty wasn’t just on the outside. It was soul deep, he could feel it.
“What are you going to do while I soak away the sand?”
“I’m going to shower. I’ve got plans for you when you’re done.”
Seeing the fire in his eyes, his cat causing them to glow in the candlelight she couldn’t help but murmur, “Can’t wait.”
It took everything he had to turn his back and turn the separate shower on across from tub. He stripped down in a flash and stepped in closing the clear glass door behind him.
Apparently Layla was going to get a bath and a show. Watching her mate, her husband, shower was better than going to the movies and getting the supersized popcorn with butter. Yummy.
Everett used the time in the shower to calm himself and his cat. He may look collected and smooth, but inside he was roaring. He needed to possess her and soon. He couldn’t imagine his brother having to wait and explain who he was to his mate. It must have killed him. How lucky was he that his mate was shifter and they didn’t have to convince each other that they were fated for each other.
Tonight, he went from single to hopefully bonded with his mate in the space of a few hours. He really should go downstairs and throw some money on the first table he came across because he couldn’t lose tonight.
When she’d said she loved him it was like a door opened for him. He’d wanted to say it the moment he met her. But you can’t fall in love with someone that fast, or so he thought. He knew what familial love felt like, but this was something so different. His cougar was clearly giving him the signals that yes, it was real love. But he was weirdly shy saying it first. Sure his ability to talk dirty was a new feature, but baring his soul would take some work.
Finishing up, he could see his mate’s eyes hadn’t left him during his shower. He loved that she wanted to see him naked. That she would let him be her one and only for the rest of her life was such a phenomenal gift, he was humbled by it.
Stepping out of the shower, he reached for a towel and started drying off. He figured he’d give her a show and turned around while he dried his back. He heard a delicate snort then laughter coming from the tub.
Shit, he’d forgotten his tattoo.
“I can explain,” he said, turning around to see her bubble covered hand over her mouth. The laughter still shining in her eyes.
“Stryker’s #1?”
“Well, I could give you the long explanation or just go with the honest, it was a drunken bet.”
“Can you see it when you shift?” She was intrigued, this was a new one for her.
“Sorta, it looks like blotches in my fur, thank goodness,” he admitted.
“You never wanted it taken off?”
“Honestly I forget about it. It’s not like I spend a lot of time looking at my ass.”
“Well, I plan on spending a lot of time looking at your ass,” she said, as she stood up the water sloshing of her body. The bubbles clung to her skin, but the flare in his eyes showed her they weren’t covering much.
“I’ll schedule an appointment tomorrow to have it removed,” he promised.
“Nah, leave it. It will be a healthy reminder of your youthful indiscretions. But if our kids ever ask, tattoos are not allowed.”
The moment she mentioned their children, his dick that had been at half mast engorged painfully. Fuck, he could get her pregnant. They could make a baby right away. Seeing her naked and wet for him was like a gift he couldn’t wait to unwrap.
Two steps took him to her and he scooped her up in his arms.
“I’m wet!” she screeched, but was laughing at the way he seemed to be hurrying now.
“I’ll dry you off, then get you wet again, Duchess,” he promised as he took her into the bedroom.
The words made her pussy convulse and she knew she wouldn’t have any trouble getting wet around her mate.
Everett approached the bed that was still strewn with rose petals and quickly flicked the bedspread down flinging it to the floor taking all the fragrant roses with it.
“I don’t want those pretty little flowers messing with my sense of smell. The only thing I want to smell is you,” he growled, laying her down on the sheets.
Layla stretched and watched her mate’s eyes take in her body. She knew she was teasing him, but she also knew that they were both about to get exactly what they wanted.
“Mine,” he growled.
“Yes,” she answered and opened her arms to him.
Everett didn’t need any further invitation. He swooped down and slid his body over hers. The instant their skin touched both of them purred deep and low.
“This is perfect,” she moaned.
“It’s about to get better, Duchess.”
Chapter 19
Everett set about worshiping his mate. Not one inch did he miss with his hands or his mouth. Layla returned touch for touch, kiss for kiss. Their bodies strained to seek their own pleasure while pleasing their mate.
Knowing this was a pivotal moment for both of them, Everett tried to make it as good as he could for Layla. She s
eemed to be seeking with a desperate need and she was struggling. His instinct to protect her kicked in. Grabbing her hands, he dragged them over her head and held them together by her wrists. Pushing his other hand down firmly on her hip bone, he ground out, “Settle.”
Layla instantly stopped and focused on Everett. Her body was on fire, she needed to come, she needed to bite, she was overwhelmed with her instincts to get closer to her man. His firm voice took the panic out of her body in a swift cascade of relaxation.
“I’ve got you, baby. Never doubt it. I’ll always take care of you,” he swore, showing her his cougar in his eyes.
The panic left Layla as she sunk into the depths of the promise in his eyes. Not breaking her gaze, Everett let his hand on her hip slide over to her rigid nub. He swirled his thumb over it watching Layla’s breath catch. He did it again and again until she was whimpering and rolling her hips.
“Legs up, baby,” he said with a growl. “Show me that drenched pussy.”
Layla pulled her legs up as he ordered.
“Spread them.”
She did and his thick length slid teasingly through her wetness.
“Oh sweet hell,” he moaned. “Layla, look at me.”
She’d never taken her eyes off of him, she couldn’t. There wasn’t a moment she was willing to miss tonight.
Everett leaned back, still keeping his thumb moving on her clit as he slid his cock into her slick waiting pussy.
“I love you, Duchess.”
“I love you too, Everett.”
He leaned down and kissed her like she was the oxygen he needed to survive. He started moving slow and steady, keeping his hand tight on her wrist, locking her in place. Layla rocked up to meet each thrust, their bodies colliding.
As he picked up the pace, he flexed his hips deep, pushing against her sucking core. Trying to get as close as he could. Bumping up against her womb, Layla was letting out moans and purrs at each thrust.
Reaching around her, he pulled her body up, switching their positions so she was riding him while he was seated. He kept a hold of her hands and pulled them behind her back. Taking away her ability to let her hands flutter, made her focus on each exquisite sensation.
“Ride me hard baby, fuck me. Your pussy feels like heaven. My Duchess is made for me,” he growled.
Layla rocked and bounced, slamming their bodies together. She wanted to come again, she needed too, hard. Just remembering the sweet bliss she had experienced earlier, had her seeking her next orgasm like a junkie.
Her orgasm was building and she ground her hips against his. His cock was stretching her in all the right places. Filling her full and she wanted to come around his dick, or should she say her dick now.
“Baby,” she called out, her pussy was starting to flutter around him.
“Oh, yeah, that’s good,” he groaned. “Fuck my cock, make us come.”
“I’m there,” she called to him.
“You’re mine, Layla, forever,” he growled to her.
Layla responded by leaning over and swiping her tongue over the spot on his shoulder she’d been eyeing. Knowing her mark would look perfect right there. The one wound on a shifter that wouldn’t heal, the mating mark.
At her wet lick on his shoulder, Everett knew she was close enough that her instinct was telling her to bite him. His had been telling him to mark her from the moment they met. He’d been fighting it every second.
Fucking into her, sealing them tight together, Everett said, very quietly, “Come for me.”
Layla felt her core snap at his words. Her body shattered as the wave of her orgasm hit her full force. Leaning over she sealed her mouth around his shoulder and bit down. As she did, she felt the sharp pain in her own shoulder. The blood poured over her tongue, it was beautiful and delicious. Her soul felt like it had exploded, showers of color arcing out of her as her orgasm rode over her.
She couldn’t decide whether the blood or her orgasm was better. Her world had come full circle. She wanted this feeling to last forever. The pulse of Everett’s cock pumping his cum into her made her womb clench over and over. She wanted his baby, she couldn’t deny it. The odds weren’t great their first time, but she could still hope.
The link that had been there the moment their eyes met was now coated in steel. Their heartbeats linked, their consciousness melding as Layla could swear she felt the sweet pleasure that Everett was feeling.
Everett had come the moment his mate’s sharp teeth pierced his skin. He bucked up and filled her with his cum and he drank down her blood. Everything about his mate was perfect for him. Her smell, her taste, her sweet pussy, perfect.
He couldn’t believe that he could feel any closer to her, but now there wasn’t even a molecule between their souls. His cougar was yowling in his head, he’d bonded with his mate. They had a lifetime of love, sex, and laughter ahead of them and it was almost more than he could take.
Everett licked at the wound on her shoulder as the last spurt of cum coated the walls of her channel. He wanted her marked deep with his seed.
Her head dropped to his shoulder as the last shot of pleasure washed over her. Her tongue swiped at his wound. They were bonded. There would be nothing to keep them apart now. Her world was all wrapped up in a shiny bow. All the dreams she didn’t know she had, had all come true in one night.
“Mine,” she whispered into his neck.
Everett let a low, loud purr roll out of him.
“Mine,” he returned.
“I’m so happy,” she whispered, her voice sounding sleepy and content.
“I’m glad, Duchess,” he said with a small laugh.
Gently laying her down, he saw her eyes were already drifting shut. A small smile flitting across her lips as her head hit the pillow.
“Sleep, sweetness, I’ll watch over you,” he whispered, kissing her softly on the lips.
Everett saw her drift off and took the opportunity to soak in her loveliness. He thought once she was bonded to him, this need inside him to possess her would wane. Instead, it was even stronger now, the need to coddle and protect her was all consuming. He needed to find a way to appease his cat. She wasn’t going anywhere, she was wrapped in his arms, but he wanted to be closer.
His cat gave him a mental image of their cub and Everett had to hold back the ferocious growl that wanted to rip through him. She could be carrying his baby. He would have two lives that he would need to provide for. He was up for the challenge, the idea of her needs being his focus was actually very settling for him.
Never having any huge plans on his future, Everett realized maybe this was the fates way of preparing him for the life ahead of him. He knew financially he’d be able to take care of his family. But what else would it take to make sure they were happy? Knowing there were more things they needed to settle, Everett let his eyes drift shut.
Chapter 20
The knock at the door woke Everett with a jerk. Looking down he saw that Layla was quietly snoring. Damn, that was cute.
Getting up found his shorts in the bathroom, hurriedly put them on, and went to the door. Pulling it open he saw a bellhop with a cart, two bags were on it.
“Mr. Hayes?”
“Yeah,” Everett said, groggily.
“Your bags are here. Would you like me to bring them in?”
Confused, Everett said, “We didn’t have any bags, you got the wrong room, buddy.”
He tried to close the door on the man, but the man cleared his throat.
“They were dropped off at the concierge with instructions to bring them straight up. There was a note too, sir.”
“Who dropped them off?”
“It was a driver from The Platinum, sir.”
Seeing where this was heading, Everett stepped back and waved the man in. He fished in his pockets for a tip and the bellhop left happy with his extra twenty.
Crossing the room to his still unconscious, mate and wife, Everett slid back in next to her. “Duchess, wake up,” he said
kissing along her neck.
“No. Sleepy. Go away,” came the mumbled reply.
“There was a delivery from The Platinum. It has a note, aren’t you curious?” He knew even if she was sleepy her cat would want to play this game.
“Argh,” she moaned and attempted to open her eyes. “Where’s the note?”
Waving it in front of her face, her cat-like reflexes kicked in and she snatched the envelope out of his hand. Ripping it open, she shoved her hair out of her face as she tried to focus on the words. Once she read it, she sighed and handed it to him.
Everett took it and read,
Dear Leelee,
Here are some clothes for you and for Everett. I had his picked up at the hotel. He really needs a new wardrobe.
I’ll wait to yell at you about getting married behind my back when you get home. But don’t think we aren’t still having a wedding. There are obligations that must be fulfilled. We can start planning when you get home.
Congratulations, your father and I send you our love. Enjoy your “honeymoon.”
Love Mom
“Wow, she’s good,” Everett remarked looking at his mate.
“She’s like an evil dictator, except she’s not evil, just sneaky,” Layla said with a yawn.
“How did she know where to find us?”
“Who knows, she probably has spies in every hotel on the strip.”
“You’re joking right?” Everett said, laughing. It was a scary thought that one’s new mother-in-law could manage to track down two people in Las Vegas and have clothes delivered from two locations in just a few hours
Layla just raised her eyebrow at him. “I haven’t met your mother, but do you think she could pull this off?”
Yikes, yes, his mother could totally do this. She’d probably have to pay off or threaten a number of people, but she’d still accomplish it.
As he sat there, a knock came at the door again. Looking at each other they laughed and Everett got up to answer it.
Swinging the door open, he wasn’t surprised to see the same bellhop holding a vase full of red roses. Accepting the delivery, he shut the door and turned around to Layla.