But as he pressed against the cave floor in an effort to rise, she settled both her hands on his shoulders, pushing him back in place. When she lowered a hand and rested it on his chest over his heart, another warning passed through him. But as she bent in closer, he gave himself over to her. He didn’t want to resist her and whatever she intended to do to him.

In fact, his blood pumped hard at the prospect of letting her have her way.

Her fingers dug into his shirt and formed a fist at the same time that she slipped a hand up and skimmed his neck.

The very touch sent fire through his veins.

She lifted his hat off and tossed it to the cave floor beside him, all the while keeping her gaze locked with his. Something in her eyes dared him to make her stop. But all he could do was silently dare her to keep going.

As her hand rose into his hair, the spark in her eyes burned brighter and her lips twitched with the beginning of a self-satisfied smile. So she thought she had power over him? Well, she was right. She did. He’d let her toy with him for a few more minutes and then show her the kind of power he wielded over her.

Her fingers delved into his hair, and at the touch he nearly groaned. She combed deeper, locked into his hair tightly, then tugged him forward, using her fist in his shirt to drag him along.

When his face was only an inch from hers, her breathing bathed his lips, and her eyes were heavy lidded. But she held him in place and didn’t move the final distance to kiss him.

His chest rose and fell raggedly.

“Say it, Jericho.”

“Say what?”

“You know.” Her voice was sultry and was doing crazy things to his insides.

At this point, he’d say anything for her kiss. Even that he loved her, because it was the truth. He couldn’t deny it any longer. But he had a feeling she wasn’t asking for words of love. Not yet.

Her fist in his shirt tightened. “Tell me you want me to be yours.”

“I want you to be mine, Ivy.”

Her smile curled higher.

“I want you to be mine more than you know—”

Her kiss cut him off, capturing him body, soul, and spirit. He let her take the lead, kept his hands at his sides. Even with the power of the desire between them, her kiss was gentle and delicious.

It only made him hungry for more.

When she pulled back, she didn’t meet his gaze. As her fingers loosened within his hair and shirt, she bit her bottom lip, her uncertainty calling to him. He could almost hear her asking if she’d been too forward, second-guessing herself for kissing him.