Gage groaned as she went lower, wrapping her hands around him, testing the hardness, the feel of smooth skin over steel. Her mouth followed, giving him pleasure, loving the masculine feel of him, the power it gave her.

His fingers slid into her hair, enjoying her ministrations, then pulling her away, dragging her mouth back to his for a kiss.

“I want to be inside you,” he said thickly, lifting her easily and setting her astride him. “You still want to be in charge?” The husky timbre of his voice sent fresh need sliding through her.

“Yes . . .” she breathed, finding it hard to force out the word. She was hot, alive with wanting. Lifting herself, she eased down on him, took more of him, then moved to take even more.

Gage hissed out a breath.

Abby leaned over and braced her hands on his shoulders, her long hair sweeping down, cocooning them in their own private world. Her body pulsed as she started to move, rising and sinking, building the heat. The muscles across Gage’s flat stomach tightened as he fought for control, and Abby slowed, determined to draw out the pleasure.

Gage just shook his head. “My turn,” he said. Big hands gripped her hips to hold her in place, and he thrust upward. Out and then in, driving her up until she arched her back, taking him deeper, aching for release.

“Gage . . .” she pleaded.

“You want more?”

“Yes . . . please, Gage . . .”

His hold tightened, and he gave her what she wanted, took her faster, deeper, harder. Sounds came from her throat she didn’t recognize, pleas for more along with his name. Then her body tightened, and she exploded in pleasure, the heat burning through her, the flood of sweetness, the black infinity of bliss.

Gage drove her up again, then followed, his own climax fierce.

Abby slumped onto his muscled chest, her body and mind still filled with him. “I love you,” she thought. “I love you so much.”

Beneath her, she felt Gage stiffen. Dear God, she hadn’t said the words aloud, had she? But the remote way his hand smoothed over her hair said that she had.

Gage set her aside and moved off the bed, went into the bathroom, and returned, handed her a warm damp cloth. He settled himself on the bed beside her and nestled her against his side, but he didn’t say a word.

“I didn’t mean to say it. It just . . . it just popped out.”

“Go to sleep. We’ve got a big day tomorrow.”

Abby swallowed past the lump in her throat. Her grandfather was dying. Soon her adventure with Gage would be over and he would leave. Abby would be alone again—the way she always was.

Her heart felt shredded, but there was nothing she could do. Tears burned, but no way was she letting him see. She prayed tomorrow they would find the gold and then they could go home.