Something deep and fierce bloomed in him at that, protective and reverent.
“You are safe,” he said, forehead resting against hers.“With me.I swear it.”
She kissed him then, desperate and certain.Kayne responded without thinking, without restraint.His fingers yanked the band from her ponytail and slid into her hair and down her back, pulling her close enough to feel her heart racing against his.The kiss slowed and softened, turning into something tender and inevitable.Then he stopped.
“Your hands ...”
“Are fine,” she insisted.
Kayne swept Chloe in his arms and carried her to the bedroom.He placed her on her feet next to the bed and searched her face one last time.
“Tell me if you need me to stop,” he murmured.
She smiled, and all the air left Kayne’s lungs.She was so damn beautiful.
“Don’t.”
He didn’t.
#
Chloe had never wantedanything the way she wanted Kayne Serruto.Not a career milestone.Not the gym.Not even the life she’d rebuilt with her own two hands.This was different.It was deeper, needier, and frightening in its intensity.She felt exposed in ways sweat and cameras never had.It stripped her down to something raw and honest.
The realization scraped at her pride.She didn’tdodesperate.She powered through and adapted.She handled things.And yet here she was, skin humming, breath shallow, every nerve tuned to him.
His kiss should have satisfied her.It was slow, deliberate, and devastating in its restraint.His mouth lingered to savor her, memorize her.The care in it made her breath stutter.It lit her up and left her unfinished all at once.
That was the problem.
He was holding back, touching her as if she were something precious instead of something combustible.Did he think too much pressure might undo her?She could feel his control in every quivering muscle of his body.
Need surged inside her, powerful and insistent.She didn’t want gentleness born of caution.She wanted urgency and heat.To be met where she was—wanting, alive, and unafraid of the intensity rushing through her veins.
Chloe pressed closer without thinking, skin buzzing and pulse pounding loud enough she was sure he could feel it.She needed him to understand that she wasn’t fragile.That she wasn’t going to shatter if he claimed her mouth with intent, or if his hands learned her every curve.She was more than strong enough to take it.And she wanted him to touch her as if he knew it.
“Chloe,” he murmured, low and careful, “we don’t have to—”
She let out a breath that was half a laugh and half a plea.“Don’t.”
His brow furrowed.“Don’t what?”
“Don’t talk to me like I’m made of spun glass.”She lifted her chin, eyes unwavering.“I know you think you’re protecting me.I know why you’re being careful.”Her fingers slid under his shirt, tracing the hard ridges of his abdomen.“But I’m not fragile.”
His jaw flexed.“You’ve been through hell.”
“And I’m still standing.”Her voice softened but didn’t weaken.“I don’t need you to tiptoe.I need you toseeme.”
Something dark and intense flickered behind his eyes.“You want me to stop holding back,” he said quietly.
“Yes.”The word came out breathless and honest.“I want you to stop treating me as if I might break if you want me too much.”
He paused, then his control snapped quite satisfyingly.
Kayne’s hand slid up her spine firmly, and he pulled her in, mouth claiming hers with a heat that stole the air from her lungs.He didn’t hesitate.His want was fully unleashed.The kiss was deep and decisive.He’d finally made a choice and wasn’t looking back.
Chloe melted into him with a soft sound she didn’t bother to hide.
“That,” he muttered against her mouth, voice rough, “is me believing you.”
