Ruthless King

“My father was almost the opposite. His emotions were so volatile. He let them explode anywhere and everywhere.” She shuddered. “Not that that meant he cared about us anymore than yours did. But that doesn’t mean you’re the same as your father either. Just as I’m not like mine. You’re allowed to feel things. You’re allowed to care about others.”

“I vowed not to be like him. Yet some lessons are hard to get out of my head. Love isn’t something I am familiar with,” he said almost stiffly. “But you are the only woman I have ever taken care of like this. Have ever wanted to live with me. Who I have ever wanted to be in a relationship with. And whom I would put in the same category as my family. Someone I would protect with my life.”

She knew that this was his way of saying he loved her. Perhaps he really didn’t know what love was. Maybe he just couldn’t say it.

But what he did express was enough. And she knew that he didn’t say anything he didn’t mean.

“Are you upset?” His gaze studied her face.

“Upset? No. I matter to you. That’s more than I could ever have hoped for.”

And she was still kind of reeling from the fact that he’d never had a long-term relationship with a woman.

Yet he wanted her.

“Good. Because I can’t imagine my life without you in it.”

Cupping her face, he drew her in for a kiss. His mouth devoured hers.

God, the man could kiss.

It was everything she’d ever dreamed of. Regent took complete control of her, his tongue playing against hers as he lightly held her chin.

When he drew back, she was aware she had a dreamy smile on her face.

“Jilly? Jilly, are you all right?” he asked. “Are you not feeling well?”

“Oh no!” she cried, thrust back into reality.

“What? What is it?” he asked as she attempted to climb off his lap.

“I probably just infected you.”

“Infected me?”

“With my disease!” How did he not understand what she was saying?

“Your disease? What disease?” he demanded. “You’re ill? How did I not know you were ill?”

“Um, you do know. You’ve been looking after me.”

“Oh. You mean because you have the flu?”

“Yes. I’m so sorry. It’s all right. If you get ill, I’ll take care of you.”

“Baby, it’s all right. I won’t get ill.”

“I hate to break it to you, but even tough guys get ill.”

To her shock, he just kissed her forehead. “You’re so cute.”

“I’m serious, I shouldn’t have kissed you. I won’t do it again.”

“You will do it again,” he warned. “These lips are mine. This face is mine. This body is mine. To do with what I want. Including kiss.”

Lord, he was arrogant.

Totally possessive.