She understood what he was saying but didn’t like it. She could never think of asking him to stop doing the work he was passionate about. But at the same time, she couldn’t fathom losing him forever. “You know I’m a strong woman, and I won’t let nobody hurt me.”

It was his turn to cup her cheek, and he did so gently. “You’re a very strong woman, one of the strongest I’ve ever met.”

“I can handle anything that comes my way.”

He pressed his lips together, clearly fighting back words. He wouldn’t give up this beautiful thing happening between them, would he? He’d walked away from her after the confrontation with Wyatt and Flynn at the church. He’d let her ride off after the dance. And from the sounds of things, he was intending to push her aside again today.

“Don’t leave me again,” she whispered.

The firelight was dying, and it was time to add more fuel. But the dim light couldn’t hide the tempest raging in his blue eyes. “I knew it was a bad idea to come back to Colorado. I should have given the assignment to someone else.”

Irritation speared her. “Maybe you should’ve.”

His jaw flexed.

“Maybe you oughta just tuck tail and run. Since that’s what you’re good at.”

“Are you calling me a coward?”

“I ain’t saying it. But from where I stand, sure looks like you’re trying to cut me loose as fast as you can.”

“That’s because being with me will only put you in danger.”

The thread of desperation in his voice snuffed out her ire. After all he’d revealed about his mom, Ivy couldn’t blame him for being afraid. But somehow, someway, she needed to show him she was different, that he didn’t have to worry about her.

She had to win him over. Maybe if she could make him care about her enough, he’d put aside thoughts of having their separate lives. Maybe he’d work harder to find a way for them to stay together.

The only means she had to convince him was a kiss. Without giving him a chance to set her aside or stalk away again, she stood on her toes, wound her arms around his neck, and dragged him down, chasing and catching his mouth with hers. She moved with the same force and precision she used when roping cattle, knowing she couldn’t waste a single second with indecisiveness, or she’d lose her chance.

For a moment, he held himself back, as if he had every intention of resisting, perhaps even of bolting. But she deepened the kiss, delving in passionately. In the next instant, he released a murmur and slipped his arms around her, drawing her close, almost fiercely so. He returned the kiss with an intensity that stirred her emotions into a whirlwind.