The Claiming by Cooper

The Claiming by Cooper Book 3

Layan’s Return by Cooper (Jara & Mason)

Chapter 40

Layan

After I eat, and I devoured everything Elijah put in front of me, I realize he’s right. While I’m in his clothes which are clean, I’m not anywhere close to being clean. I’d been hiding in rock structures and hiding spots in the ground for days when Elijah found me.

I smile, watching as he gets the water going in the tub before moving to get some shampoo and body wash.

He found me, like I knew he would. And then, this man who I had already decided was going to be my mate, made sure that I claimed him first. I feel so lucky to have him as my mate.

He turns his head, flashing me a s*e*xy smile. “What’s on your mind, beautiful?”

“You.” I say, unabashedly.

“Mmmm, I like the sound of that. Anything in particular about me that has you feeling all warm inside.” I blush. It will take some time to remember that he can feel my emotions.

I step up to him as he stands from the tub. “You found me, you insisted that I choose you, claim you first.”

He tucks my hair behind my ear. “I will always find you. And it was important for you to have the control this time.”

I cup his face in my hand. “It’s the reason I chose you to be mate even before you found me. Because that’s the kind of man you are, the kind of man I can happily bind my life to.”

He leans in, kissing my lips softly. I can feel his desire for me, it’s intoxicating, overwhelming. I wrap my arms around his neck, holding him to me as we kiss. His arms wrap around me, engulfing me in his love and protection.

I sigh into our kiss. I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to get enough of this.

He pulls back, looking at me. “Time for a bath. I can step out…”

“No, I want you to stay. I have to get used to being around you when I’m naked, right?”

“I just claimed you, Layan. We don’t have to rush into anything.”

“I want you to stay.”

you

shade of red. Other than when I shift, I’ve never been naked in front

me out of his clothes, then he steps back, keeping hold of my hands, holding them out, watching me at first, then taking his time to look over my body. I begin shifting uncomfortably at his gaze, but when it returns to mine,

“You’re beautiful, Layan.”

give me last year. Elijah’s hand covers mine. “You have nothing to be ashamed of. This is me. Me and you. No one else

away and he

you go.” He says, holding my hand and

at the warmth that is soaking into muscles that I hadn’t realized were sore. Elijah kneels beside the tub behind me. “Lean back. We’ll get your

scalp, running his soapy fingers through my hair then rinsing it all away. He then puts

warm and safe. I turn, looking at Elijah who is letting the soapy

join me, Elijah?” I ask. I’m not sure how far I will feel comfortable going tonight, but I know I’d like to at try to be skin

“I’m not sure that’ s a good

I should have known I was moving too fast. I nod, ducking my head so he can’t see my embarrassment at

takes my chin and pulls my face so I’ m looking at him. “My body is very aroused being this close to you. I don’t want to scare

him. How did he

are pinging all over the place. Tune into mine, mine are very singularly focused on

the moment I do, I feel it. A very, VERY strong

hiding his emotions, now that I’m paying attention. “Do

but I still want you to join

“If anything becomes too much at any time,

in our bond before he begins taking off his shirt. I’m pretty sure my mouth waters at the sight of him. I’ve been around Elijah a lot, but he’s always had his clothes on. His

he does. I instantly see his erection and wow is he big. Really big. Yeah we’ll be putting that off for another day. But

lick my lips and my fingers twitch wanting to touch

look back up, he has a smug smile on his face. “Those emotions

and I see

him. “Don’t let it scare you. Your

scoot in behind

than mine taking up the entire tub. He somehow manages to sit me between his legs before pulling me back

look up at him. “Do you feel

“I do.”

you think it’s the

that we’re both

good, my breathing increases, and something warm begins to

and crawling into Elijah’ s lap, my

“Layan?”

I don’t know what I