Page 52 of Claws and Effect

Then he flipped her onto her belly. His cock drove into her so fast, she barely realized what was happening. The switch had her clutching at the bedding and crying his name. Her pussy contracted around his cock, jerking him hard. He tensed.

He licked the curve of her neck. Every thrust he made turned shallow and jerky until he didn’t move anymore. Her bodycontinued riding her tidal wave of joy when he breathed into her hair, gripping the strands hard in his fists.

He licked the back of her neck down to her shoulder. “I have been counting the minutes until I could bite you and make you mine. Until I could come inside you.”

“Oh, god,” she moaned. Her hand went up and she gripped his arm, nails turning to claws.

He bit down on her shoulder, his body tense at her back. Then he was filling her body with his semen. A hot shudder raced up her back. She dug her claws into his arm, leaving her own mating mark of her lioness scratches for the world to see. Everyone would know he belonged to her too.

They fell over on the bed. They lay there as they both regained their breathing.

He continued to kiss her shoulders and back as he held her with a possession she had never seen in any man.

Laykin said as she rolled over to face him, “Thank you.”

“I love you, Laykin. You’re the only one for me.”

She swallowed at the emotions clogging her throat. “I love you too, Zyle. I love you so much it scares me, but I don’t want anything else. I only want to be with you.”

He held her tightly. “Marry me, Laykin. Let me put a ring on your finger and share our love with everyone. Not for the treaty, not for the prides, but for us.”

“Just us?” Laykin sat up and held his hand.

“Yes. Just us. I’m in love with you. I want to give you a wedding. I want to see you walking to me every inch the princess bride.”

Lying on top of him quickly, she pushed him back to the mattress and kissed him over and over. “Oh my god, Zyle, yes...yes...yes. I will marry you just for us. You make me so happy.”

“I’m not sure I can resist taking you again.” Zyle stated with love lacing his voice.

“Then take me, take me now and forever, my love.”

THIRTY-NINE

Dawn painted the room in gentle gold once more, finding Laykin awake before Zyle again. She watched him sleep, his arm draped possessively across her waist, his features relaxed in rare contentment.

She traced the line of his jaw with her fingertips, memorizing the texture of his skin, the way his lashes fanned against his cheeks, the slight curve of his lips even in sleep. This man, who had entered her life through political negotiation, now occupied spaces in her heart she hadn’t known existed.

Whatever came next—whatever threats they faced—they would face together, not as political allies but as partners in the truest sense.

Her phone lit up with a message from her mother: “Uncle Marcello insists on meeting with you privately before tomorrow’s general assembly.”

A chill raced down Laykin’s spine despite the warmth of Zyle’s body beside her. The real world intruded on their sanctuary, reminding her of the unresolved threat hanging over their newfound happiness.

Zyle stirred, his eyes opening to find her watching him. Without a word, he pulled her closer as if sensing her sudden unease.

“What is it?” he murmured, voice still rough with sleep.

She showed him the message, watching his expression shift from drowsy contentment to sharp focus.

“You don’t have to meet him alone,” he said, tension evident in his shoulders.

“I know.” She pressed her palm against his chest, feeling his heartbeat beneath her fingers. “But I need to know what he wants. He’s family. We still don’t know if he’s even involved.”

Zyle covered her hand with his own. “Don’t worry. I’ll be by your side.”

The simple promise delivered without hesitation, washed through her like sunlight. In those five words lay everything she’d never known she needed—partnership, trust, support without suffocation.

Laykin pressed her lips to his, pouring everything into the kiss. When they parted, she rested her forehead against his, breathing in the scent that had become synonymous with home.

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