Page 111 of No Regrets

“Hey.” Dex’s voice was gentle.

Unable to speak, she covered her face with her hands, her heart pounding so hard it hurt. A film of sweat covered her skin, her breathing heavy. God, she was shaking, couldn’t stop. The bed dipped beside her, and strong arms circled her waist pulling her back to lean against a hard chest. She didn’t resist.

“It’s OK. Deep breaths. You’re safe,” he whispered in her ear.

Just feeling the strength of him around her made her feel protected. Slowly her heart rate began to return to normal, and she closed her eyes, allowing herself to enjoy the safety. Of Dex.

“Feeling better?” The warm breath on her neck made her skin tingle despite the nightmare waking her.

“A little.” Her panic subsided, replaced by an unmistakable heat spreading through her. It both surprised and pleased her. She placed her arms over his, wanting to feel more of him and he squeezed even tighter. The thought of being this close to a man should have petrified her, but with Dex somehow it was different. She felt secure.

“I’m sorry. Did I wake you?” she whispered.

“You have nothing to apologize for. And no, you didn’t wake me. I’m glad you’re here. I hate to think of you dealing with these on your own,” he said softly.

“I’m glad I’m here too.” She was. Right now, there was nowhere else she wanted to be.

He kissed the top of her head, and she melted a little more.

“Does it hurt?” She traced a finger over his bandaged arm.

“Not really, just a little tender. Flesh wound.”

“What happened?”

“Didn’t duck quick enough,” His voice held a hint of amusement.

“Not funny.”

He kissed the top of her head again.

Butterflies fluttered in her stomach, drifting down between her legs. God, she wanted to feel desirable. She needed to know it was possible. That she wasn’t completely dead inside. Yes, she was petrified to try, but giving in to fear meant Lazir won. That the bastard had ruined her for life, and she wasn’t prepared to let him have that victory. Twisting slightly, she raised her head to look at Dex. He smiled down at her with that smile. This gorgeous, kind, wonderful man would never hurt her.

She loved him so much. Her fingers traced down his cheek, over the sexy stubble, to his lips. He didn’t move, his eyes locking on hers. The dark desire she saw sent a ripple of need down her body. Her nipples were hard, pressing against her shirt, desperate for attention. Still, he didn’t move, happy to let her explore him. Her fingers roamed lazily down to his chest, outlining each defined muscle. She didn’t just want him, she needed him. Lifting up, she stopped, her mouth just an inch from his. “I love you so much.”

“I love you too.”

Before she changed her mind, she kissed him. He held very still, a sign he was uncertain. Kissing him again, she increased the pressure, using her tongue to trace his lips, urging him to open. With a groan, his lips parted, and his tongue met hers.

DEX CUPPED HER FACE and stroked his thumbs across her cheeks. Fuck, he was already so hard, and he’d barely touched her. She was driving him crazy. It had been so fucking long and he wanted her badly.

He growled, pulling his mouth away. “Kelly, you’re killing me here.”

Those gorgeous brown eyes stared into his. “Make love to me.”

Fuck, not what he’d been expecting, even though it was what he wanted. But this was too fast, wasn't it? His cock was screaming at him to take her. And the way she was looking at him, like he could fix it all.

“Please, Dex. Don’t make me beg. I need this. I need you. I need to feel... normal.”

How the hell could he refuse? Pulling her on to his lap, his hands gripped her ass.

“Baby, I want to, believe me. But this is pretty sudden? I don’t want to rush it.”

“I love you, and I want to feel the way you used to make me feel. Please don’t turn me down.”

Awe, baby. God, she had him. Already lost in her eyes, those shimmering big brown eyes broke through all his defenses. He wanted to be the man to take away her pain, to protect her. The primal male in him rose to the surface.

“You have to promise me that if you need me to stop, you’ll tell me.” He sure as hell didn’t want to do anything she wasn’t comfortable with.

---