The boy didn’t seem to notice, engrossed in his meal as he was. Next to him, Mateo had schooled his features into a mask that showed no concern, though Gage knew he wasn’t happy to see the men in town. Mateo cast him an occasional warning glance, aware of his protective feelings for Abby, reminding him of the high stakes they were playing for.

They finished the meal, and Gage paid the bill. He set a hand possessively at Abby’s waist as they walked out of the cantina, letting the men know exactly whom she belonged to.

There was lust in the men’s dark eyes. Watching the unconsciously sexy way she walked toward the door, Gage found his own blood pounding. He remembered making love to her last night, thought how good they were together, and wanted her all over again. Abby was his. At least until this was over.

Her gaze ran over him as they walked back to the hotel, and he could feel the heat that sparked between them. A sagging bed in a primitive hotel room with paper-thin walls was the last place he wanted to take her.

And yet when Mateo and the boy headed to their respective quarters for a brief nap in the brutal afternoon heat, Gage closed the door to their room, turned her into his arms, and kissed her. He cupped her face and kissed the corners of her mouth, then sank into her soft lips again.

“I want you,” he said on another slow kiss. “I know it’s not the time or place, but my body doesn’t seem to care.” He took her hand and moved it down to cover his heavy erection.

Abby’s fingers closed around him. “I want you, too. I always seem to want you.”

Gage groaned.

“It’s a bad idea,” he said, kissing the side of her neck. “These walls are like paper.”

Abby’s arms slid around his neck. “Edge’s room is next door, and he’s not in.”

Gage nipped her earlobe. “You think you can be quiet?”

The corners of her mouth tipped up. “Depends on what you do to me.”

He chuckled. “I’m going to make you come. That much I can promise.” Gage kissed her again, forcing himself to be gentle, coaxing her lips apart, then deepening the kiss and taking what he wanted. Abby’s response was immediate, her mouth softening under his, her nipples tightening as her breasts flattened against him.

Even with the ceiling fan stirring up a breeze, it was hot in the room. Gage stripped off his T-shirt and tossed it away, thought of the men in the cantina, and left on his cargo pants in case there was trouble.

Abby peeled her T-shirt off over her head, unfastened her bra and tossed it away.