She nuzzled his chest. "Just hold me for a few more minutes, Chase. I can face the world again after that, but I just need to stay here a few more minutes."
He kissed her brow. "We'll start with that, but if you think I'm not going to be watching you closely for the next wee while and spoiling you whenever I can, then you're out of your mind."
He heard the smile in her voice. "I don't know if I've ever been spoiled before. It makes me curious what you'd do."
He hugged her tighter against his chest. "That decides it, you're going to be thoroughly spoiled until you tell me to shove some of the gifts up my arse."
"But you know I would never attempt that because it would just create more work for me at the surgery."
He snorted. Even when her life had turned to shit, his female had a quick wit. "That statement makes me think people shove strange stuff up there."
"You have no idea." She raised her head and t
ouched a hand to his cheek. "I love you."
He blinked a second. "Talking about arses made you realize you love me?"
She nodded. "In a way. It's all of it, though. The caring gesture, your ability to let me do my work when I need it, and aye, talking about strange things like shoving things up arses, to make me smile when I didn't think I could."
Running a hand up her spine, he placed a possessive hand on the back of her neck. "I fell in love with you even before we talked of arses. That should be a bit more romantic, I think."
She searched his eyes. "Say it again."
"What, arses?"
She rolled her eyes. "No, you idiot. Enough with the arses."
Moving his other hand to hers, he squeezed. "I love everything about you, Layla, including your lovely round arse."
Her gaze fell to his lips. Every cell in his body screamed to kiss her on the mouth. But he couldn't. Not yet.
So he moved to her jaw, her ear, her neck, kissing and licking, letting her know he would do more if he could.
Layla threaded her fingers through his hair and lightly scratched his scalp, sending heat and pleasure throughout his body.
Despite his hard cock and the nearly moaning female in his arms, Chase managed to stop kissing her skin and stand up straight again. At the confusion in Layla's eyes, he said, "We can't do this here, love. You know that."
Her brows gathered and her lower lip went out a fraction. A pouting Layla was one of the most enticing things he'd ever seen. And if she ever figured that out, he'd be putty in her hands before long.
Not that he'd mind it, especially if her hands decided to caress and touch every part of him.
She tilted her head. "There's a lot we can do without the frenzy, Chase. And right now, I need you."
Her words stirred his dragon, and he said, Then find somewhere else we can have her. She needs closeness right now, and you can't get much closer than our dick thrusting into her hot, tight pussy.
Layla touched his jaw. "Please, Chase. I need to feel wanted right now. And I know rationally lots of people want me, care for me, and all that. But I want you, Chase. I need the man I love."
How could he deny her now? He took her hand and motioned toward the door with his head. "I know the back way out of this building. My cottage isn't far." He leaned over and kissed her cheek. "And here's a preview of how much I want you, Layla MacFie." He guided her hand to his hard dick, punching against his trousers. "And I'll never stop wanting you, either. I love you. Now, come on. I'll prove it to you as many times as you like without starting the frenzy."
After one more kiss to her cheek, he moved as quickly and quietly as he could. And as soon as they were inside his cottage, he showed Layla a half dozen times how much he wanted her, making sure to tell her he loved her repeatedly as well. His future mate would never doubt how much he cared for her. Never.
Chapter Fifteen
The next morning, Layla walked toward Finn's cottage with Chase at her side.
Much to her embarrassment, she'd fallen asleep early the night before. And Chase being the overprotective dragonman he was, had checked in with Finn and Sid to ensure it was okay for her to rest.
They'd both said yes, and so she'd shamelessly slept the night away.