Chapter 176

Chapter 176
I lean forward, wrapping my arms around her, cradling her against my chest as I carry her to the bedroom. I set her down on the mattress, her hair spreading out over the pillow, her lips swollen from my kisses, her nipples are tight and flushed. And suddenly I want nothing more than to watch her come. I lean in, my head between her legs, my hands spreading her open, my mouth over her clit, the taste of her on my tongue. Her body bucks beneath mine, her hands grabbing my hair, pulling me closer, sighs and moans escaping her lips. I watch her ride the first wave of pleasure, but I don't let her go, ravaging her, swallowing shudder after shudder.
I take off my sweats, unable to contain myself any longer.
My palm slides between her legs, pushing them apart as I settle my body against hers. She pulls me to her, her nails raking down my back, settling at the base of my spine. I groan against her, my face buried in her neck, my teeth scraping her skin in ways that would definitely leave a mark. A brand.
The head of my cock brushes against her, sliding across her wetness. I let out a sharp exhale, stroking back and forth, creating a delicious friction that has us both throbbing. Her legs fall open, wider, talking me in. I enter her with a smooth thrust, my body surging forward, stretching her... filling her. I take her hand, linking our fingers together as I shift, changing the angle and hitting that spot that has her moaning and writhing beneath me. I increase my pace, my hips pumping, body shuddering, holding onto her as we both come.
" I love you, " she says, still breathless, skin slick with sweat and the echo of us all over her. Her thighs tremble slightly around my hips, chest rising and falling.
I press my forehead to hers. My voice is rough, uneven. “ I love you too, flower. You could break me in half with one word. That’s how far I’ve let you in. That’s how much trust I’ve handed you. All of me. No backup plan, no safety net. Just you.”
She nods, fast and frantic, pulling me down until I’m wrapped around her again.
And in her arms, everything goes quiet. Everything makes sense. Everything hurts in the best, most necessary way.
Because loving her like this? It’s the most dangerous thing I’ve ever done.
And I’d do it again. Every single time.

LAYLA'S POV
I walk into the shop with a tray of coffee like I’m the fairy godmother of caffeine. “Gifts from the productivity gods,” I announce, handing a cup to Addy first.
“Why do you look... chipper?” Xander asks, eyes narrowing suspiciously as he takes his cup. “You’re smiling too hard for someone who just trauma dumped. It's unsettling.”
“I always smile,” I say, flipping my hair over my shoulder for dramatic effect. “I’m delightful.”
Addy sips and raises a brow. " You're borderline glowing. Did therapy fix your issues or just end with Adam face-first between your thighs. "
I grin and ignore the comment, too pleased to care. Therapy had gone better than I expected. Mrs. Roberts is clearly doing the slow-burn thing, asking easy, open questions and making us feel comfortable before diving into the emotional meat grinder. Adam had looked like a kid heading to the dentist the whole ride there, and I half expected him to feign death to get out of it, but he didn’t. He sat through the whole session, clenched jaw and all, and I think...no, I feel....this is going to be good for us.
Healthy, functional progress.
I make my way toward Zig’s office, balancing his coffee in one hand. His door’s cracked open, and I peek in. He’s on a call, pacing behind his desk, tone sharp and exasperated.
“No, Cassie, we're not doing this again. It’s a tattoo, not a temporary sticker.” He glances up, sees me, and gestures for me to come in. I lift the coffee like a peace offering and ease the door shut behind me.
“ Layla's right here,” he says into the phone. “You want a second opinion? Fine. She agrees with me.”
My brows lift. I do?
He shoves the phone into my hand before I can protest.
“Hi?” I say cautiously.
“Layla, can you believe my dad?” Cassie’s voice is full of outrage and teenage fire. “He’s being so dramatic. I just want something tiny and cute. Barely noticeable.”
I smirk. “Where are we talking? Wrist? Ankle? Somewhere rebellious but still easy to hide from grandparents?”
“Exactly!” she huffs.
“Well, tell you what, come in whenever you’re free. I’ll ink it myself.”
There’s a beat of stunned silence, and then, “Shut up, really?!”
“Yup. I'll get your dad on board,” I say sweetly, winking at Zig as he stands there, lips parted in horror.
“Layla—” he starts.
I hang up and hand him his phone like nothing happened. “She’s thrilled. You’re welcome.”
He sighs like I’ve just doomed him. “This is how it starts. First, it’s a tiny heart or butterfly or some Pinterest crap. Next thing I know, she comes home for summer break with a full sleeve, snakebites, and membership in a goth cult.”
I burst out laughing. “Zig, Cassie turning goth is about as likely as you opening a yoga studio and saying words like ‘chakra’ with a straight face.”
He scrubs a hand over his face, takes the coffee, and mutters a half-hearted, “Thanks.”
“You should be glad she’s even asking you,” I say, leaning a hip against the desk. “Most kids would just show up at Thanksgiving with a dragon on their collarbone and a new tongue ring. But Cassie’s a good one, it's Hunter you've gotta watch out for.”
His eyes soften a little, the lines in his forehead relaxing. “Yeah. She is.”
I sip my own coffee, the warmth filling more than just my stomach. He asks if I needed anything and I shake my head “Just wanted to say hi.”
He studies me, eyes narrowing slightly. “You’re acting like you used to when I first started training you... back when ‘hi’ meant you needed cash and a ride to the mall.”
“Wow. I feel so seen.”
He raises a brow.
I hesitate. “You’ve always been there for me, even when I was a little shit. I know we butt heads sometimes, but... I know you love me. And I love you too.”
He clears his throat like he’s swallowing glass. “Layla—”
“And if you tell anyone I got sentimental, I'll tell Cassie where you keep the tequila.”
He shakes his head. “Get out of my office, you menace.”
I grin and push off his desk. And as I close the door behind me, the peace I woke up with is still there. Rooted and real.