Chapter 11
The first thing I felt was warmth. A cocoon of it, surrounding me, sinking into my skin.
I blinked slowly, disoriented at first, until I realized where I was.
Roman’s arms were around me. Strong, protective, unrelenting even in sleep.
His chest rose and fell against my back, every breath a low rumble I could feel more than hear.
It was like being wrapped in steel and fire all at once.
And then I felt something else. I stilled as a familiar ache pulsed low in my belly. Dull, twisting. My breath hitched. Oh no, not now .
I shifted slightly, already knowing before I moved that it had started. I could feel the faint dampness, the unmistakable heaviness in my body. A flush of heat crawled up my cheeks, embarrassment thick in my throat.
"Damn," I whispered to myself.
Roman stirred behind me, the motion slight but immediate. Like he sensed the change in my body before I did. His hand tightened on my waist.
"Layla?" His voice was rough with sleep, still heavy and dark, but alert. He is always alert.
I hesitated. "My period has started."
I held my breath as at first there was silence, and then he moved. One swift motion had him leaning over me, his eyes scanning mine, his fingers brushing my cheek like I might vanish if he didn’t touch me.
"Are you in pain?"
I blinked. "Not at the moment, It’s fine."
His jaw flexed. "You're bleeding."
I tried to laugh, awkward. "It’s not like I’m dying, Roman. It happens every month. "
Something in his eyes changed, his pupils darkened, swallowing the hazel ring that usually rimmed them. He inhaled slowly, deliberately, and I saw it hit him like a drug. He wasn’t thinking now, not about my possible pain, not about my comfort. I could tell that he was moving on instinct.
Roman's hand slid to my hip, his thumb pressing into the curve of bone like he was grounding himself. His lips parted, fangs glinting slightly in the low light, but his voice, when it came, was a rasp of hunger and reverence.
"You have no idea what you do to me."
I opened my mouth to speak, but he didn’t give me a chance.
His mouth was on mine, fierce and desperate, like he was trying to drink down every sound I’d ever make.
His body pressed into mine, heat rolling off him in waves.
His touch was reverent, but it was also demanding.
Every part of me responded to him, the ache of my cycle drowned in the overwhelming need building between us.
The night blurred. He didn’t speak much; he didn’t have to because his body said what words couldn’t. That I was his, that he would take every inch of me. That he would give until I couldn’t remember where I ended and he began.
We moved together, over and over again, my body singing with heat and need and fulfilment. The bond between us surged with every touch, every gasp, every desperate cry. It was like fire had been lit beneath our skin and neither of us could get close enough to the flame.
When we finally collapsed into each other, slick with sweat and too exhausted to move, it was only to sleep for a few hours before waking and starting again.
Three days passed in that cocoon of passion, of relentless claiming and being claimed.
My body ached in places I hadn’t known could ache.
My skin bore the soft signs of Roman’s possessive love but never pain. Never anything less than devotion.
When we finally slowed, breath coming easier and touches softening into gentle strokes, he cradled me against him and whispered against my hair.
"This bond... it’s never stronger than when you’re like this. Your scent drives me insane. Your body calls to me like nothing else. I can’t control myself when around you. "
I sighed, content and dizzy from the active scorching couple of days that we have had. "So, this is going to happen every month?"
He chuckled darkly. "Every time, and I’ll be there every single time. You’ll never go through it alone. I’ll make sure you only feel pleasure, I will never allow for you to feel pain in my arms, Layla."
I felt the truth of his words down to my bones; I knew that I belonged to him in every way. And he’d made sure I would never forget it.
He threw back the covers, standing in one fluid motion. Completely unbothered by his nakedness, while I scrambled to pull the sheets higher over me.
"Where are you going?"
"To get towels, and coffee. You need something warm to drink."
My heart squeezed at that.
When he returned, he had a black towel in one hand and a steaming mug in the other. He placed both beside the bed and sat, reaching for me again.
He tilted my chin up with two fingers, "You're mine, every part of you, every cycle, every breath." I nodded, because part of me liked it, his obsession, his intensity, even if it sometimes scared me.
His hand curled around the back of my neck; his lips brushed my ear. Then he reached for his phone, murmuring a few quick instructions before putting it down. "Food’s coming up. I want you to eat something."
He disappeared into the bathroom. I heard water running, the sound echoing through the space. Curious, I padded to the doorway, leaning against the frame.
The bathroom looked like something out of a magazine, all black marble and gold fixtures, a deep soaking tub sunken into the floor, wide enough for two. The lights were dimmed, and the room smelled like sandalwood and spice.
Roman turned to me as the bath filled. Without a word, he stepped over, wrapped me in his arms, and lifted me effortlessly. I yelped softly, but he only grinned and carried me to the tub, setting me gently inside the warm, lavender-scented water.
"Relax. You have all the time in the world."
He stepped into the shower, the glass fogging up almost instantly.
I leaned back, muscles uncoiling, the heat sinking into me like balm.
By the time I stepped out, wrapped in the towel he’d brought, the food had arrived, a tray of fruit, toast, a rich soup, and something chocolaty that had my mouth watering.
He was already dressed in loose pants, barefoot, phone in hand, murmuring instructions to someone before turning back to me.
"Sit and eat my angel," he ordered gently, pulling a chair out. I obeyed, letting him pull the tray closer.
"You always take care of me," I whispered as I picked up a piece of fruit.
"Because you're mine, but It's not just about the bond, Layla. It’s you, since the minute I saw you that you have become a part of me.
I want you healthy, happy and safe." I smiled at him as he took a seat before me.
We ate in silence for a few minutes, the warmth between us softening into something tender.
Afterward, Roman stepped out of the room to take a call and I reached for my phone and almost choked.
Twenty-one missed calls, from Rosemary. Panic surged. Had something happened and I didn’t answer ?
I dialled and to my relief she picked up on the first ring. "Layla! What the actual fuck?! Do you even care about me anymore? You disappear, you don’t call, and now you can’t even answer your goddamn phone? I need to see you…now!"
Her voice was sharp, the tone angry and frantic. "Rosemary, calm down. I’ve been busy, I’m sorry, What’s wrong?"
"No. I need to see you now. You owe me this, Layla. You think you can just cut me out now that you’ve got money and power? That man, he’s changed you." I swallowed hard, my fingers trembled at the accusation, she had no idea how much, and I couldn’t tell her the truth.
"I’m not cutting you out, I love you. It has just been really difficult, but I promise that I will see you soon and then we will spend more time together." I take a calming breath as I continue, “do you want to tell me what’s wrong?”
She cursed and hung up without replying. I look down at my phone before I started pacing, the phone clutched in my hand, as I was trying to calm my heart .
Roman returned from the hallway, pausing in the doorway. His eyes locked on mine, narrowing. A frown adorning his face.
"What wrong?"
"It was Rosemary. She wants to meet, she's so furious, I really think I need to go see her. I need to find out if she’s okay."
His nostrils flared. "Fuck. No." he snapped but then he exhaled and shook his head. He crossed to me in two strides. "Layla, I will take you. You want to meet her? Fine. But you don’t go without me."
I nodded slowly, the edge of panic softening in his presence. He exhaled hard, pulling me into his arms. His promise vibrated through my bones.