Chapter 173

Chapter 173
Layla's POV

I melted into Kael's kiss, the world narrowing to the heat of his mouth on mine, the way his tongue danced with teasing precision. My hands roamed up his chest, feeling the hard planes of muscle beneath his shirt, and I tugged at the fabric impatiently. He broke the kiss just long enough to pull it over his head, revealing the sculpted torso I'd come to crave. His skin was warm under my palms, a faint scar from some old battle tracing across his ribs like a reminder of his strength.

"Easy," he murmured, his voice husky as he guided me toward the sofa. "We've got time, Layla. No rush." His eyes flicked down to my belly, a subtle reminder of the life growing inside me, our little secret miracle. He was always so careful now, his touches gentle, reverent.

We sank onto the plush cushions, him pulling me onto his lap so I straddled him. The sofa creaked softly under our weight, but it felt sturdy, safe. His hands slid under my shirt, fingers splaying across my back, avoiding any pressure on my abdomen. I arched into him as he lifted the hem, exposing my bra, and his lips trailed down my neck, nipping lightly at my collarbone. "You're so beautiful," he whispered, his breath hot against my skin. I unhooked my bra myself, letting it fall away, and he cupped my breasts with exquisite care, thumbs circling my nipples until they hardened into peaks.

A soft moan escaped me as he lowered his head, taking one nipple into his mouth. His tongue swirled gently, sucking with just enough pressure to send sparks through my body. My hips rocked against him instinctively, feeling the growing hardness in his jeans pressing against my core. "Kael," I gasped, threading my fingers through his hair. He switched to the other breast, lavishing it with the same attention, while his free hand slipped between us, unbuttoning my pants.

He eased them down my hips, along with my panties, and I shifted to help him, kicking them off. Naked from the waist down, I felt exposed but utterly desired under his gaze. His fingers traced the inside of my thigh, inching higher until they brushed my folds. I was already wet, aching for him. "So ready for me," he said, his voice low and approving. He parted my lips gently, his thumb finding my clit and circling it in slow, deliberate motions that made my breath hitch.

I fumbled with his jeans, freeing his cock—it sprang out, thick and hard, veins pulsing under the skin. I wrapped my hand around it, stroking from base to tip, feeling him throb in my grip. He groaned into my neck, his hips bucking slightly. "Layla... fuck." We stayed like that for a while, touching each other on the sofa, building the heat. His fingers dipped inside me, one at first, then two, curling to hit that spot that made stars burst behind my eyelids. I pumped him in rhythm, our breaths mingling in ragged pants.

But I wanted more. "Bedroom," I finally whispered. "Now."

He nodded, scooping me up with effortless strength but so carefully, cradling me like something precious. The bedroom was just off the main room, a cozy space with a king-sized bed draped in soft quilts. He laid me down on my back, propping pillows under my head and knees for comfort. "Tell me if anything feels off," he said, his eyes serious as he stripped off the rest of his clothes. His cock stood proud, the head glistening with pre-cum.

"I will," I promised, reaching for him. He knelt between my legs, spreading them gently. Instead of entering me right away, he lowered his head, his breath teasing my inner thighs. "Kael, what—" My words cut off in a gasp as his tongue flicked out, lapping at my clit. He was so tender, his licks slow and flat, savoring me like a delicacy. He sucked gently, then delved lower, his tongue sliding along my slit, tasting my arousal.

"Mmm," he hummed against me, the vibration sending shivers up my spine. He looked up, eyes dark with lust. "Has Thor ever touched you here? Tasted you like this?" It was said with a playful smirk, but there was an edge to it, a possessive glint.

Anger flared in me—Thor had, during that messed-up time when Olivia's magic had twisted everything, but I'd be damned if I let Kael know. It would only hurt him more. "Don't," I snapped, my voice sharper than intended. "Don't joke about that. It's not funny."

His expression softened immediately, regret flashing across his face. "I'm sorry, love. I didn't mean to upset you." He kissed my thigh apologetically, then returned to his task with renewed focus, his tongue working me over until the anger melted into pure pleasure. He ate me out like a man starved, alternating between sucking my clit and thrusting his tongue inside my pussy, fucking me with it in shallow, careful strokes. My hips lifted off the bed, chasing the sensation, but he held my thighs steady, never rough.

I came like that, my orgasm crashing over me in waves, my walls clenching around nothing as I cried out his name. He lapped up every drop, then crawled up my body, kissing a path from my mound to my breasts to my lips. I tasted myself on him, salty and intimate.

"Ready?" he asked, positioning himself at my entrance. His cock nudged my folds, slick and hot.

"Yes," I breathed. "But slow. For the baby."

"Always." He pushed in inch by inch, stretching me deliciously. He was so thick, filling me completely, but he moved with agonizing slowness, watching my face for any sign of discomfort. Once fully seated, he paused, letting me adjust. "You feel incredible," he groaned, his forehead pressing to mine.

We found a rhythm, gentle and deep. He thrust in long, measured strokes, angling to hit my G-spot without jarring me. His hands braced on either side of my head, keeping his weight off my belly. I wrapped my legs around his waist, pulling him closer, my nails grazing his back lightly. Sweat beaded on our skin, the room filling with the sounds of our bodies joining—wet slaps and breathy moans.

As we built toward release, he nuzzled my neck, right where my old mating mark had faded under Olivia's interference. "I need to mark you again," he whispered, his voice strained. "Make you mine forever. Say yes."

"Yes," I panted. "Please."

His thrusts grew a fraction deeper, still careful, and as I felt my second orgasm approaching, he bared his teeth—elongated canines glinting. He bit down on my shoulder, not hard enough to break skin violently, but piercing with precision, injecting his essence. Pain bloomed briefly, then transformed into ecstasy, the bond snapping back into place like a missing piece. I felt him everywhere—in my blood, my soul.

That pushed me over the edge. My pussy clenched around his cock, milking him as I came hard, stars exploding in my vision. He followed seconds later, groaning my name as he pulled out just in time, his release spilling onto my thigh instead of inside me. Ever careful, ever protective, even in the throes of passion.

He collapsed beside me, pulling me into his arms without putting pressure on my front. We lay there, catching our breath, his hand resting protectively on my belly. "I swear," he said softly, his voice raw with emotion, "I'll protect you and our child for the rest of my life. No matter what."

I turned to face him, tracing his jaw with my fingers. The afterglow of our lovemaking began to fade, and with it, the reality of our situation crept back in. A familiar anxiety tightened in my chest as I thought about everything we still had to face.

"I'm scared, Kael," I admitted softly, nestling against him. "Everything's happening so fast."

He stroked my hair, planting a gentle kiss on my forehead. "I know, love."

"The blood moon ceremony," I whispered. "It's coming so soon."

Kael nodded gravely. "Five or six days. That's all we have left."

I took a deep breath, drawing strength from his steady presence. "Then we have to be careful now. We have to defeat Alex, Damian, Konrad, Olivia—all of them."

He smiled, that confident, wolfish grin returning. "I will defeat them with you by my side."