Book #2 in the Jungle Heat Series
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After months of living with a biker gang in Rio, Manuel recruits a feisty heiress named Reya to help him unite the shifter tribes living in the Amazon jungle and drive the humans from their home. Their passion for freedom turns into lust for each other, and after a hot night of sex, he fantasizes about telling her all of the kinky secrets he learned during his time in Rio. Unfortunately, Manuel could never give the sexy Reya so much power over him, for if she knew his secrets, she could single handedly destroy everything he had worked so hard to gain.
In Manuel, Reya sees an escape from her routine and oppressive lifestyle. She loves to push his buttons, but as she starts to peel back the complex layers of his personality, she starts to change her views about the world—and herself. The more she learns about the sexy off-road motorcyclist, the more intrigued she becomes, and as their connection deepens, she hopes that their fragile relationship won’t fall victim to the deep-rooted prejudice and war that will result from their indiscretions.
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Reya shook her head. “They want to kill you and send your body back to your leader as a message.”
Manuel fought the wave of panic rising in his chest and gripped her hand tighter. “Convince them otherwise.”
“I can’t. They don’t listen to women, here.”
“They’ll listen to you.” He flicked his gaze back up to meet hers. “You’re the daughter of their leader.”
“This isn’t like your Jaguarundi clan. Women hold no power here.”
“Then they don’t know what they’re missing.” Even in the human world, women are treated as equals. They are valued, Reya.” He inched closer. “You need to be honored and cherished, not taken for granted.”
She shifted her gaze to his lips and Manuel felt her tremble beneath his fingers. His cock grew hard as desire flooded his veins, making it difficult to think.
“I can’t confront my father.”
“You can.” A sense of urgency welled up within him. “You have strength, Reya. I can feel it.” He cupped her cheek. “Strong—and beautiful, as well.”
She shook her head as her gaze jerked up to meet his. “He’ll kill me.”
He let go of her hand and brushed a stray hair from her temple. “I find that hard to believe. Your father might be savage, but he would not harm his own child.”
“Maybe.” She inched away from his touch. “I don’t know. I’ve tried talking to him, but he won’t see reason. He’s a stubborn, unstoppable force.”
“Just like his daughter.”
She balked at his words. “I’m not stubborn.”
“Stubborn and strong.” He sat up and framed her face with his hands. “I saw how the men in that tent coward before your father. None of them would ever think of going against his orders.” He ran his thumb over her lips. “But you did. You stood up to him, Reya, when no one else would. If anyone can influence his decisions, it’s you.”
“I don’t know…”
“You have to try. Peace depends on it.”
He leaned forward and rested his forehead on hers. “Then let me free and I will try.”
“No.” She closed her eyes and shivered under his touch. “They’ll hunt you down and kill you if you try to escape.”
“I have a machine,” he whispered.
Reya opened her eyes. “A motorcycle?”
Manuel bit back a chuckle at her wide-eyed innocence. “Yes. If given the right clothing, I can stay to the human roads and blend in with them. My scent will mingle with theirs and be difficult to detect.”
“Yes, I’ll disappear into the city and then, when it is safe, retrace my steps back to my tribe.”
She flicked her gaze up to meet his. “Take me with you.”
“What? No.” He lowered his arms. “You know I can’t. If your father found both of us missing, then all of my plans for peace would be forfeit.”
“I want to go to the city and ride a motorcycle,” she whispered. “I want to know what it feels like to be free.”
He pressed his lips together as he considered the consequences. Every fiber of his being wanted to make her wishes come true, but it was far too dangerous. “When it is safe, I will come back for you.” He rubbed his thumbs along her jaw, imagining what it would feel like to kiss a hot trail along her skin. “Then I will take you where you want to go.”
There was so much hope in her voice. It tugged at Manuel’s heart. He slid his hand down her cheek and placed it over his heart. “Promise.”
She let out a long breath. “Okay, I’ll free you, but then you must run far away from here. If Navarro or Cruz find you, I’m not sure there is anything I can do to save you from them.”
“I won’t get caught. Promise.” He slid his hand from her cheek and cupped her neck. “Thank you.” He tilted his head and shifted his gaze to her lips. “I owe you my life.” He leaned forward, eager to taste the soft skin of her mouth. She shivered and closed her eyes, making him realize that this strange fascination he felt ran both ways. He leaned closer, closer…
She tasted like spring. Manuel had never tasted flowers or sunshine, but he imagined that if he could, it would taste like her. The woman was addicting, and as her scent washed over him, his mind began to fog with lust.