Heat and ravenous need, power, and strength combined in a kiss that was more taking than tender. His tongue plunged in as he deepened the kiss, stirring hot licks of desire and making her knees feel weak. It wasn’t what she had expected, and exactly what she wanted.

Rising on her toes, Abby kissed him back with the same lusty need, clinging to his powerful shoulders, her nipples hard as they pressed into his heavily muscled chest. Gage slanted his lips over hers, kissing her one way, then the other, delving deep, making her tremble.

The kiss was about to burn out of control when Gage’s lips softened and the kiss turned gentle, coaxing instead of taking, teasing one side of her mouth and then the other. Abby moaned and her arms slid up around his neck.

Gage kissed her one last time, then caught her wrists and drew them away, stepped back so they were no longer touching.

“I shouldn’t have done that, but I had to know. Unfortunately, I was right. You taste even better than I imagined.”

“Gage . . .”

Still breathing hard, his eyes a fierce shade of blue in his suntanned face, he shook his head. “As much as I want you, this can’t happen. Not now. I don’t sleep with my clients.”

Embarrassment trickled through her. “How very professional of you.”

“That’s right. It’s one of the reasons I don’t take women on an expedition. Too much temptation.”

Irritation slid through her. “You don’t need to worry. I want this trip to succeed far more than you do.” She looked back at him, determined to save her pride. “I just . . . I was curious, that’s all. You have a certain reputation. I wanted to know if it had any basis in fact. Now that my curiosity has been satisfied, your professionalism is safe.”

Gage’s jaw turned hard. He was still aroused, his broad chest rising and falling faster than normal.

He reached out and caught her shoulders. “I don’t think you understand. This isn’t over. Once we’re safely back home, we’re going to finish this. I’ve wanted you since the moment you walked into my office. That hasn’t changed. I’ve dreamed of having you naked and spread open beneath me, dreamed of being inside you. Now that I know that’s what you want, too, I promise you it’s going to happen.”

Her pulse throbbed and fresh desire curled through her.

Gage bent his head and kissed her one last time. “Until then, I have a job to do, and so do you.” Turning, he walked to the door. “Lock this place up and get some sleep. I’ll see you in the morning.” The door clicked shut behind him.