“It’s okay. I like knowing you can’t stop looking at me.”

He could feel her studying him. He needed to get up and walk to the other side of the cave. But he couldn’t make himself do anything.

“What do you mean that you can’t have me?” she asked.

Didn’t she deserve some kind of explanation? Couldn’t he give her enough of an answer so that she’d understand she truly was better off without him?

“Does it mean you want me even after all you keep saying?” Her question was soft, beckoning.

Lord help him. He fisted his hands to keep himself from reaching for her. “You’re a beautiful woman, Ivy.”

She hesitated. “I always thought you didn’t like me because I needed to grow up.”

“Well, there’s that. You were too young—”

“Not anymore.”

“I know.”

She sucked in a breath at his admission, as though she hadn’t expected it.

While he was confessing, he might as well keep going. “Dylan made me promise to treat you like a sister and nothing more.”

“What? Why?”

“Guess he thought he was protecting you. Can’t say I blame him with how pretty you’ve always been.”

“That scoundrel.”

“I would have done the same thing if I’d had a sweet little sister tagging along. Would have told all my friends I’d break their hands if they touched you.”

She laughed lightly.

He let himself relax against the stone.

“You didn’t answer my question. Do you want me?”

He’d barely had time to lean back before he stiffened. Leave it to Ivy to persist so bluntly. Of course he wanted her, but he couldn’t tell her that. Or could he? Maybe if he just admitted his feelings, he’d assure her that she was fine, and he was the one with the issues.

“Don’t you go and tell me what you think I wanna hear. Tell me the truth.” Her hands twisted in her skirt, her knuckles white.

“Yes.” He let the word out, couldn’t hold it back.

She held herself still. “Yes?”

“Blast it all, Ivy.” He shifted, then met her gaze. “Yes. I want you.”

Her eyes were as dark and vast as a starless night sky. Surrounded by long, thick lashes, they seemed to peer inside him down to his soul.

All he could think about was the seriousness of her expression and how it made her more mature and desirable. He wanted to frame her cheeks with his palms, run his fingers through her hair, and let his lips explore hers. But he couldn’t.

She sat up, then pushed to her knees.

What was she doing? Had he offended her again?

As she turned to face him, a spark lit up her eyes. She scooted closer.

A clanging inside warned him to move. Right away. And put a safe distance between them.