Free No Regrets: Jani Kay (Firebird Trilogy Book 2) by Jani Kay

take you any way I can have you. It’s me who is at your mercy. It’s me who is afraid you will tire of me, that I’m not enough for you.” He lifted my face to his. “Look at me, Rebecca.”
    His gaze locked with mine, enveloping me. Nothing else existed in that moment but us.
    “ You . I want to be with you for the rest of my life. For real this time.”
    It was my turn for my mouth to gape open in disbelief.

Chapter 11 – Maxwell
    S he had to believe me. I couldn't blow it now.
    “Rebecca, I've been waiting for you all my life. I knew from the first time I looked into your eyes that it was you. You knew it too. You just chose to ignore it.”
    If only Rebecca realized how she held my whole life in her petite hands. That she could crush my heart with a single word. This was exactly the reason I’d never wanted to become emotionally invested in anyone. It was too damn complicated.
    But I couldn't help myself, even though I was going against my own rules.
    A slow blush spread over her beautiful face, her trembling lips still swollen from my earlier kiss. She looked so fucking vulnerable.
    Mergers. Acquisitions. I chewed them up and spat them out, but this woman had me at her mercy. I was the one at risk here. Christ.
    “Maxwell.” She peered up at me from under her long, silky eyelashes that made my knees go weak. I wanted to protect her from getting hurt; I didn’t want to be the one inflicting the pain.
    “Yes?”
    “I didn’t know,” she whispered, tears pooling in her doe-like eyes.
    “Well, you know now. I've been trying to tell you, but the words don’t come out right. Before I can finish, you always run. But this time I won’t let you,” I growled. Her eyes widened as she bit into her bottom lip.
    “You drive me crazy, Rebecca. As soon as I think I’m making headway with you, something happens and you disappear.”
    For once, she was listening. Her hands came to rest on my hips, and just that gentle gesture of trust sent my blood roaring through my veins. I pulled her closer, wanting to envelop her in my arms and hold her there so she couldn't run ever again. My nostrils filled with her sweet aroma and I could think of nothing but her in my arms.
    Already panting with want, I dipped my head to kiss her. Slowly. Gently. I didn’t want her frightened and pulling away. Her lips were soft and giving beneath mine. Her body yielding and melting into mine. She felt so good against me, the perfect fit.
    I lifted my head and kissed her eyelids one by one, then the tip of her nose, nuzzling along her jawline. Instinctively, my mouth travelled back to those soft lips, but with more intensity this time. My tongue slowly licked along her lips, seeking permission. She opened slightly, still afraid. I had to rein it in even while my raging hormones tore through me like a hurricane. I wanted to possess her—all of her. My need for her was more than I’d ever experienced with any woman, but I deliberately slowed myself down.
    Her hand slid around to the nape of my neck and her fingers speared into my hair, tugging hard. Unable to suppress a loud groan, I pulled her closer, letting my tongue dart into her silky mouth.
    Her tongue responded to mine. Languid strokes tasted me. She tangled her leg around mine as if she wanted me closer. I pushed my erection into her unashamedly. I’d been waiting so long for this.
    I walked her backwards to the couch and pushed her down gently. She looked up at me, her skin glistening with a fine mist of perspiration. Her eyes even wider. She bit into her lower lip as if she was unsure of what to do next. I quickly covered her body with mine. Partly because I was in desperate need to feel her beneath me, and partly to keep her from running.
    “Rebecca,” I murmured against her lips as I stroked her tongue once more. I couldn't get enough of her taste. She rested her hands on my biceps, her nails digging into my skin. My temperature soared at her touch, reaching fever pitch as my