Hold out? No, that wasn't happening. As he lost his head and thrust deeper and deeper, he almost laughed at himself for thinking there was any part of this that he could control. Layla's emotions took him over, hurtling him head-first into the delirium that already gripped her. He came inside her with a roar, coating her walls with his cum while she milked him for all he was worth.
The second time he came, she was riding him from the top. Layla threw her head back and desperately tried to ease the heat in her core. His chest was already beautifully marked by her nails. He sat up and pushed her hair aside as she called out hisname, trailing his lips along her collarbone until they found his mark. He licked it gently before he latched on.
Lightning struck. His mind exploded. Layla's body trembled as if someone had sent electricity down her body. He pressed her down onto him and continued to coat her walls as she screamed his name.
Not for the first time since she returned home, he mentally gave himself a round of applause because he soundproofed the room. The last thing he wanted was to explain to Hope why her mother screamed his name like that. Over and over.
He lost count of how many times Layla reached for him. And every time, everything was more frantic. More animalistic. Just more. He loved every second of it.
After what seemed like a lifetime, the fog cleared. They ended up on the floor next to the bed with Layla sprawled on top of him. Her hair covered her face, and sweaty strands of it covered his. He didn't bother trying to lift his hand to brush it aside. He had no energy left to do that.
Layla took everything he had to give her until he was a shell of himself. His body was sore, and his skin was on fire. There were marks on him as if he'd been in battle.
Excruciating.
But still so worth it. There was no better place to be than inside Layla Carlisle, soon to be Layla King. He would make her his in every way possible.
"What are you thinking about?"
His smile widened when he heard her sleepy voice.
"I don't want to say it out loud, or I'll jinx it," he answered.
Layla didn't question him any further, and she didn't move. By the sound of her breathing, she had drifted back to sleep.
"I love you, Layla Carlisle," he whispered.
*SIX MONTHS LATER*
Jax loaded the car before he walked around the house to the training fields. They were some newly shifted wolves that Dylan was training and a couple looked strong enough to spar with Britney. His sister-in-law was excited, but she was probably the only one. No one wanted to train with a lethal red wolf.
He stopped next to Layla and put his arm around her waist. Layla smiled at him, which always set his mood right for the rest of the day. His mate was the most beautiful woman in all the territories, especially now. She was glowing. His hand lowered to the bump on her stomach, and his heart warmed again. After their rocky start, he never expected to feel so complete.
"We're ready."
He looked back at Brit and Hope, already waiting by the car with Rebecca. He couldn't tell who was more excited—the kids or his mother-in-law.
Once they were on the road, Rebecca quietened and masked her emotions. She was taking a big step, and none of them could blame her for keeping everything private. The trip to the other side of town took over an hour, and once the car pulled up the driveway of the neat little house, Gerald came out as if he had been waiting at the door.
Brit and Hope ran to him first. And then Rebecca took a breath before she followed.
A small smile played on Layla's lips as she watched them. There was still some healing to do, but he believed they would all get there.
He took his wife's hand and brought it to his lips.
The curse was once the worst thing to happen to him, but he couldn't imagine it any other way now. Layla and Hope were the silver lining in that dark cloud. He had no regrets. He would do it all over again if it meant all his people were free and happy.
****