Tightening his hold on the slender wrist, Gabriel forced himself to move her hand away. “We can’t do this. I can’t.”

Boldly, she twisted the captive fingers free and sought tumid evidence to the contrary. When he gasped and shuddered, she reveled. “Apparently, you can.”

His mind clouded, his heart raced. Unsteady palms lifted to push her away, but a surge of sensation ravaged him and he whispered, “Stop it.”

Heady with power, Erin complied. As she angled closer, teasing fingers stroked his throat, scraped lightly at his jaw. Because her head barely brushed his shoulder, she couldn’t reach the mouth that tempted. Instead, she focused on the regions within range. “I want you,” she breathed into his bared skin.

“Don’t.” Rearing away, smacking his head into the door, Gabriel scrabbled for restraint. Downstairs, the Ledger was shutting down until tomorrow morning, which left him no reason to run. Inside the suddenly airless loft, his destiny stalked him. Wayward hands streaked over buttons, teased willing flesh. His voice trembled as her searching tongue found and lathed skin, as though with naked flame. Where she touched, he burned. Where she kissed, he ached.

To hell with it, he thought rashly, ready to jerk her mouth to his, to plunge deep and taste forever, until neither could walk away.

As though she felt the change, she raised herself toward him. His fingers dived into the silken black strands tumbling around her face, and seeking, he caught her eyes. In their endless depths, he saw an echo of trepidation. In that moment, Gabriel found the last threadbare remnants of gallantry. He refused to take advantage, despite the erotic promise. Love, if it was true, demanded sacrifice. Denial. Gripping her arms, he gave her a none-too-gentle shove. Above her head, he explained gruffly, “Obviously, my body wants you. That doesn’t mean I’ll have you.”

Hesitation faltered her hand, and she dropped it from his muscled chest. She wrapped chilled arms around her body. Staggering away, she refused to look at him. He’d tried to warn her, but she didn’t listen. Kisses weren’t the same as sex. What she’d imagined as restraint had actually been disinterest. She gathered tattered pride and lifted her head, determined to apologize before disappearing. It was then her distressed gaze met eyes that burned like the stars. Burned with unnamed yearnings and reflected cravings.

Doubts vanished, and gentle, unyielding affection made her want him more. And annoyed her beyond reason. Gabriel thought chivalry lay in protecting her from him. Didn’t he understand salvation could only be found in his arms? She spun to him then, triumphant. “You want me. You can’t think of anything else.”

“This isn’t right. You don’t know what you want. What you need. I can’t take advantage of that. I won’t—”