He wanted her to have no doubt just how much he desired her. And it was his turn to make sure she knew that no matter the power she might have over him, he could affect her too. He situated his hands on either side of her waist and lifted her so that she was sitting on his lap. In the same motion, he leaned in and took possession of her mouth.

He wasted no time deepening the kiss, claiming her in a connection so bottomless that he lost himself, forgot where they were and what was happening. All that mattered was being with her and loving her and having this passion, their mouths almost desperate, as though they were both starving for each other.

At her soft moan, he jerked himself back to reality, to the fact that he was nearly crushing her with his need, but that she was responding with equal fervor. Somehow, they’d started a forest fire between them, and if they weren’t careful, it was going to burn them both up.

Even now, his hands itched to slip higher, to roam farther. And though he might indulge in this kiss with her here and now, that didn’t change anything about his situation. Or about the danger his job could bring to her.

Danger.

He broke away, needing to put space between them. He set her aside and then scrambled to his feet. Shaking his head and inwardly cursing himself, he stalked to the opposite side of the cave. He stopped, faced the wall, and palmed the back of his neck.

Why had he given in to his affection for her again? It was all wrong and couldn’t lead anywhere. Could it?

Chapter
19

Ivy’s breathing was fast and hard, echoing in the cave as loudly as if she’d run a mile up and down a mountain trail.

What was she doing? She’d told herself she had to let Jericho go, stop allowing herself to hope there could be something between them.

She pressed a hand to her chest and tried to calm her erratically beating heart. Land sakes, that man could kiss. She’d thought she was proving something to him by initiating a kiss—proving how she was in control of herself and her feelings for him. But she’d been wrong. She’d only demonstrated just how much control he had over her. Her kiss had been timid compared to the consuming nature of his.

He stood a dozen feet away, his back rigid. He’d made it clear enough both with his words and his actions that he cared about her. So what was the matter?

She needed to reassure him whatever was wrong didn’t have to come between them, that they could work through anything. Because that’s what she wanted . . . to be with him. That’s all she’d ever really wanted.

But how could she convince him?