“I want you so damn much.” He kissed her again, a deep, taking kiss that Ellie returned full measure. Lust pumped like a drug through his veins, and his groin tightened. Ellie’s fingers dug into the muscles across his shoulders, and a soft moan slipped from her throat. Her body melted into his, fitting him even more perfectly than he had imagined. Then she broke away.

“Kade . . . I-I . . . can’t. We can’t do this.” She was breathing hard, and so was he.

“Why the hell not? You don’t want me? Because I think you do.” He pulled her back into his arms and kissed her again. Ellie softened and kissed him back, then turned away.

“Please don’t, Kade.”

Reluctantly, Kade let her go. “You don’t have to worry. I’m not the kind of man who takes what a woman isn’t willing to give.”

Ellie sighed. “I know that. It’s just . . . you’re a hard man to resist, Kade, and even if you were interested in a relationship, which I doubt, I’m not the docile, meek sort of woman you need. I value my independence too much.”

Amusement trickled through him, easing some of his frustration. “You think that’s what I need? A meek, docile woman I can boss around?”

“Well, you can’t deny you’re used to giving orders.”

“True enough. But one of the things I like about you, Eleanor Bowman, is your strength. Unlike most of the women I know, you’re not the least bit intimidated by me.”

“Well, no, but—”

He bent and kissed her softly one last time. “Think about it, Ellie. Maybe you being you and me being me might work out just fine.” He ran a finger down her cheek, turned and walked over to the door. Kade pulled it open. “I’ll see you at breakfast.”

Ellie moistened her lips, which were plump and pink from his kisses. His erection throbbed as she walked past him out of the study.

A tired sigh escaped. Even if Ellie were interested in a no-strings sexual relationship, Kade couldn’t afford the time. There was too much going on. Too much at stake. The storm damage was costly and needed to be repaired. And there was still a shooter out there. Until Frank Keller was arrested, people could get hurt.

Add to that, he had hired Ellie for a reason, and it wasn’t to warm his bed. Heather’s killer was out there somewhere, and Eleanor Bowman was his best chance of finding him.

Still, he’d dream about her tonight. And wish things could be different.

* * *

While Kade worked with his men to repair the storm damage and move the cattle back into more open pastures, Ellie drove toward town on the pretext of buying supplies. She hadn’t seen Jonas since they’d had lunch, but she had done more digging into his past.