Her brain rejected the debate, electing to yield control to her body.

Danny’s mouth angled. His tongue slipped into her mouth, and all she could think was how much she wanted more. Desire swept aside all the self-control she’d practiced over the winter. She couldn’t hold her emotions back anymore. She had to have him again. This afternoon by the river had been beautiful. This was desperate.

Danny pulled back. “Whoa. Um, you’re getting a little ahead here.”

“Please.” Begging didn’t feel as humiliating as it should. She grabbed the back of his head and pulled his lips back to hers. He took her mouth again.

The man kissed like a pro, the perfect balance of demand and restraint. His hand remained at her bicep. For all his bad-boy talk, Danny was a gentleman. He had no intention of this turning into anything but a kiss.

But desire hummed under Mandy’s skin. Held in check all winter, her emotions churned for release. His palm on her arm was hot as a brand. She wanted him to touch her everywhere. She pressed her hands against his bare shoulders. The muscles were gloriously hard under her touch, the skin smooth. Hair dusted the center of his broad chest. She pushed him down on his back.

“Are you sure?” Danny’s voice had gone husky. His eyes darkened in the firelight. “You didn’t like the outside bit last time.”

She met his gaze head-on. “I need you.”

The noise that rose from his throat was half surprise and half groan. He rolled to one side. For a man with only one good hand, he had her sweater over her head and her bra tossed aside in seconds. He filled his palm with the weight of her breast. His thumb gently circled her nipple. He bent his head to draw it into his mouth. Desire pooled between her legs. His hand slid down her rib cage to her belly. A finger slipped under her waistband.

Her body arched toward him. Her limbs were on fire. “Touch me already.”

A choking sound leaked out of his chest. His hand slipped into her pants. “Jesus.”

That about summed it up.

“Danny. Now.” Mandy couldn’t get her hand on enough of him fast enough. Smooth muscles were sleek under her palms. She unfastened his pants.

“Wait a second.” He shucked them, reaching into the cargo pocket for his wallet.

“Condoms are part of your hiking gear?”

“I don’t have hiking gear.” He wiggled out of his pants, then helped her do the same.

Mandy took a minute to appreciate the ridged muscles of his abdomen, the strong planes of his chest, the powerful hips that were pressing into hers. There wasn’t much room to maneuver in their makeshift bed. Good thing Danny knew how to make every movement count.