She laughed—then stopped when she realized he wasn’t joking.
“You’re serious,” she whispered.
“Yes.”
He reached for her then, pulling her into his arms like he couldn’t stop himself if he tried. The possessiveness hit him hard and fast, raw and undeniable. Kane took her mouth in a kiss that said everything he didn’t have the words for. He held her close, felt her heart race against his chest, felt the way she melted into him, and didn’t want that feeling to end.
When he finally pulled back, her eyes were dark, dazed, and her lips swollen from his kiss. He’d never seen a more beautiful, desirable woman, and he’d seen a lot of them in his long life.
“What’s happening, Kane?” she whispered.
“You’re mine.” He growled. The words left his mouth before his brain caught up, but once they did, Kane knew the truth of them.
No other man would ever touch her.
CHAPTER 29
Monica blinked a few times, trying to figure out what universe she’d stepped into, because none of this made sense. She knew there was a strong, undeniable attraction pulling at both of them, but his words had knocked the air out of her. No man had ever said something like that to her. No man had everclaimedher. And that was exactly what he’d done.
“If this is your way of getting me back into bed, Kane,” she said lightly, forcing a tease into her voice, “you really don’t have to work that hard.”
His expression didn’t soften. If anything, it hardened.
“I’ve never said those words to a woman,” Kane replied, his voice low and steady. “And I respect you too much to use them just to get you into bed.”
Her throat tightened as her gaze slipped away. She’d wanted, no, she needed that to be true. She’d been the woman men wanted for a night before. She’d believed things men had told her thatshe shouldn’t have and paid for it afterward. And this man? This man could destroy her if she let him.
Hell, she already was letting him because she was falling hard for him.
“I don’t want to be hurt, Kane.” The honesty came out before she could stop it. “I don’t judge you for your past. It’s not that.” She hesitated, then added quietly, “But I heard what they were saying about you. And one thing I can’t get out of my head is?—”
His fingers tipped her chin up, forcing her to meet his eyes.
“Is what?” he asked, though the look in his eyes told her he already knew.
“That you’ll get bored,” she said softly, watching him closely, and saw the flash of something dark and regretful cross his face when he dropped his hand. “I don’t want to be another woman you move on from.”
Silence stretched between them.
Then Kane stepped closer.
“I don’t do bored,” he said quietly. “I do walking away before it matters.”
His eyes locked onto hers, unflinching, and she swallowed hard.
“And with you, it already matters.”
The words landed heavily, and Monica saw the truth in his eyes immediately. No games. No heat-of-the-moment bullshit. Just honesty.
Kane didn’t look away when he continued. “I’m going to say this, not because I want to defend myself, but because you need to understand me.”
His jaw tightened. “I’ve never treated a woman badly. I don’t give a fuck what they were saying about me, but I know what they said because I’ve heard it from the assholes all before.” His gaze never left hers. “I respect women. Always have. When I’ve been with someone, they knew exactly what it was. No lies and no promises I couldn’t keep.”
He reached out, pulling her closer, close enough that she could feel his heat, his control barely leashed.
“But I’ve never wanted anyone,” he said quietly. “Never needed anyone...until you.”
The admission wasn’t dramatic. It didn’t need to be. It was raw, steady, and it hit her harder than any pretty words ever could.