Scooping her up, she weighed almost nothing in his arms. He loved the warmth of her body against his, and he knew right then and there why he'd been destined to be Layla's true mate. She would never look after herself and would always want to look after others. Ensuring her well-being would be his job. For the first time in his life, he would be responsible for someone else, instead of others trying to take care of or protect him, like his mum and brother had done.
Cuddling her sleeping form more against him, he made his way toward her house, doing his best to ignore how her scent invaded his nose. Or how the softness of her breasts against his chest sent heat through his body.
His dragon growled. How much longer must we wait? I want her.
Not now, dragon. There's too much going on.
I know we can't kiss her yet. But there's a hell of a lot we can do without crossing tha
t line. And it would relax Layla, too.
Maybe you want to accost the unconscious, but I don't.
His beast growled. Of course I wouldn't do that. But once she wakes up, worshiping her body a wee bit may give her a new type of energy.
As his dragon flashed images of them suckling Layla's breast, licking between her thighs, and watching her face as she orgasmed, Chase gritted his teeth. Stop it. If we can't prove how we can be a supportive mate, she'll never let us do any of that.
Supportive, yes. But I doubt Layla wants a passive one.
Not wanting to deal with his dragon and argue again, he constructed a mental maze and tossed the beast inside. While his dragon banged against the walls, they held.
Chase hated doing it, but he wanted to savor every second of Layla in his arms and not waste time debating how to win Layla with his inner beast.
He focused on the female in his arms. Even in the dim lighting, he could see her partly opened lips, her dark eyelashes against her skin, and strands of hair falling down her cheek.
He didn't think she could be more beautiful.
And one day, she might be his.
Instinctively, he tightened his grip. No, she would be his.
Chase finally reached her cottage and managed to get inside without waking her up. Only when he finally laid her down on the bed did she stir. "Whaaat?" she murmured.
Smiling at the sleepy response, he gently caressed her cheek before tucking a section of hair behind her ear. "We're home, love. Once I tuck you in, I'll go downstairs and sleep on the sofa."
Layla reached a hand up and grabbed his. "Stay with me."
His heart beat double-time as he asked slowly, "Is that wise? What if you accidentally kiss me in your sleep?"
She frowned and did her best to shake her head. "I won't. Please, Chase. Stay with me."
He'd done the honorable thing and offered to sleep elsewhere. However, he wasn't going to make Layla beg for his company.
Leaning down, he kissed her cheek. "Aye, I'll hold you. Let me get you settled into bed, first."
Layla remained half-asleep the whole time as he removed her shoes and maneuvered her under the covers. Maybe he should've offered to change her clothes or remove them. But a naked Layla would be dangerous and too sweet of a temptation, so he merely kept her clothes on.
Once she was settled, he took off his own shoes and climbed in behind her. The second he laid on his side, she snuggled into his front, and he put an arm around her waist.
As he held her, the heat of her body warming his own, he closed his eyes and nuzzled her neck. "Goodnight, love."
She mumbled, "Night," and was out within seconds.
Chase tightened his hold on her, trying to merely enjoy the moment and ignore his painfully hard cock between them.
It was going to be one fucking long night.
But as Layla started to snore softly, he smiled. A few days ago, Layla had done everything within her power to avoid him. And yet here she was, snoring as she snuggled against him, trusting him enough to sleep with her.