Ever After Awaits (Layla) novel Chapter 44

Chapter 44: Layla POV

The look on Xavier’s face tells me he barged in here on purpose. To what end, though, I’m not quite sure yet.

“Come on, lover boy. Breakfast is ready. I will not let it get cold all because you wanted to play kissy face,” he says with a smirk before turning on his heel and leaving the bathroom.

“Why does he always have to be such an ass?” I ask AJ, rolling my eyes at Xavier’s cockiness.

“I heard that,” he hollers from the other room, making me jump in surprise to realize he was still hanging around.

“You were meant to,” comes my automatic retort while I give AJ a mischievous smile. That makes him laugh, confirming that even though our special moment was interrupted, it wasn’t ruined.

“Do you want me to help you out?” he asks as he gets up and grabs the fluffy towel from on top of the vanity cabinet.

“I think I’ll be okay; I’m feeling much better. And I still need to wash myself; only soaking in the tub isn’t enough to prepare me for the day. So, I’m just going to pop into the shower, and then I’ll be down.”

“You sure? I don’t want you losing your balance and falling because you’re too stubborn to ask for help,” he queries as he eyes me skeptically.

“I’ll make you a deal. You can stay in my room with the door open a smidge. If I need help, I’ll immediately call out so you can be my knight in shining armor,” I voice, giving him a tentative smile, hoping he doesn’t push the issue further.

“You have yourself a deal, Cupcake,” he replies as he lays the towel on the closed toilet seat, kisses me on my forehead, and then leaves the room, closing the door about three-quarters of the way behind him.

Standing up, I quickly cross to the shower and close the glass door behind me. The warm waterfall-like water cascades over my head, and the last of my strained muscles relax. The cut on my forehead stings somewhat, but luckily, it’s not unbearable.

Finishing up, I wrap the towel around my body and tie a knot between my breasts. Luckily, it’s a large towel that wraps around me entirely and ends just above my knee. I stand in front of the mirror, taking a minute to be calm while brushing my wet hair with my detangling brush.

I’m so lost in thought that I don’t notice AJ leaning against the doorframe behind me. He has pushed the door open completely, so he’s staring at me through the mirror with the full force of his beautiful mocha

eyes.

“Hey,” I say breathlessly, unable to sever eye contact with him.

Chapter 44: Layla POV

“Hey, yourself,” is my only reply as he shuts the bathroom door before lazily striding towards me like a panther stalking its prey. He stops at my back, not touching me, but close enough that I can feel his body heat reaching out to me. “Let me,” he says as he takes my brush and starts combing sections slowly and meticulously.

The groan that slips from my throat cannot be stopped because his hands are doing sinful things to my resolve. “AJ, that feels amazing,” I say breathily, wrapping my fingers around the edge of the countertop to help steady myself.

“After all these years, I still know you love it when someone brushes or plays with your hair. In the last couple of weeks, I’ve dreamt numerous times about sliding my fingers through them while I kiss you.” My eye catches his gaze in the mirror at his admission, and the naked desire that I see in them has my knees going weak.

“AJ…” I start, but before I can finish what I want to say, he spins me around and crushes me to him. His mouth crashes into mine, and his hands clasp the sides of my face. His touch is tender yet possessive. And his kiss is all-consuming. The glide of his tongue against mine feels as natural as if we’ve been doing this for years.

“I need to touch you,” he whispers between searing kisses. And I can’t deny him because my body yearns to feel his hands as he explores me.

“So, touch me,” I say as I guide his right hand to the towel’s opening. He needs no further invitation, and when his calloused palm connects with the sensitive skin on my stomach, I’m like clay in a potter’s hand for him.

“Layla,” he breathes as his hand slips to my back and grabs onto my one ass cheek. He instinctively pulls me closer so I’m plastered to him from chest to hip, making me aware of the glorious bulge in his jeans that’s grinding against my core.

Before my mind can comprehend what’s happening, AJ sinks to the floor before me, parting the towel, and stares. My first instinct is to feel embarrassed, closely followed by shyness, so I reach down to cover myself.

He is having none of it, though, grabbing my wrists and pinning them to the counter ledge at my sides. “Don’t you ever dare to hide from me. Not your feelings, your body, or this perfectly bare pussy.”

In the past, hearing a guy talk so crudely about a woman’s anatomy made me feel uncomfortable. But hearing AJ speak about one of my most intimate body parts with such reverence, awe, and raw need make a wave of liquid heat drip from my core. I clench my thighs, seeking some friction to try and soothe this burning need that he has awakened in me.

With a smirk, he looks up at me and asks, “Are you wet for me, Cupcake?”

I can only nod having lost control of

Not satisfied with my answer, or lack thereof, he cheekily says, “Nuh-uh baby, I need your words.”

I see the challenge in his eyes, probably thinking I will be a meek little lamb afraid of dirty talk. Not quite ready to start firing off obscenities, I answer in a way that makes me feel comfortable but gives him what he’s asking, “Yes, I am,” I softly say, and his eyes light up with excitement.

“Can I taste you?” he asks tentatively, straddling the thin line between getting me out of my comfort zone and not wanting to pressure me into something I’m not ready for. In doing something so simple but respectful, he solidifies my earlier realization that I love him, too.

It’s on the tip of my tongue to give him the go-ahead when there’s a knock on the bathroom door, breaking our desire-filled bubble and making us both groan in frustration.

Moira’s voice filters through the door: “Layla, honey, are you okay in there?” AJ’s eyes widen in surprise, and my cheeks heat.

“Yeah, Moira, I’m just brushing my hair and getting dressed. I’ll be down in a minute,” I call out, hoping my answer appeases her so she can leave and not catch us together, especially with me being half naked.

“Okay, see you down there,” she replies.

We wait several seconds to ensure she leaves before we burst out laughing at almost being caught, like naughty kids sneaking off to make out under the bleachers.

AJ gets to his feet, guides me to the bedroom, and patiently waits while I get dressed in the walk-in close before escorting me downstairs.

As I step into the kitchen, I wonder if breakfast will go smoothly. * With my luck, it’s not likely.

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