He lifted up. “The Kurjans have a line on you, and we haveto be more careful, Ivy.” He couldn’t lose her now. He loved her more than heever thought he could love anybody, and it had been hell staying away from herfor years.
Of course, she’d been correct in that he had thought she’djust fall in line. Apparently, the freedom she’d enjoyed had allowed her tolearn her strength, and the woman was strong. He could see it in her, and itmade him want her more. Even so, she was his, and she needed to know that fact.
So, he released her hands and rolled until she was on top ofhim, tearing off her shirt in the process. She gasped and planted her hands onhis pecs, leaning over. Her fall of silky hair brushed his cheek when sheleaned down and nipped his nose.
“I can be more careful if you can,” she murmured.
“Oh, you’re definitely gonna be more careful.” He reached upand released her bra. Fire, need, and heat flashed through him so quickly hisears heated. Then he traced her skin with his fingers, tapping up to the bitemark on her neck.
She shuddered, and her eyes darkened. Yeah, they wouldalways have this.
Scrambling, she reached down and pulled his shirt up andthen murmured as she leaned down and kissed his chest. He let her play for awhile and then removed the rest of their clothing, rolling over until she wasonce again beneath him.
“When I tell you to stay somewhere, you need to do it.”
She bit his chest and then ran her nails down his flanks todig into his butt. “I’ll do what I want. We both know it.”
Oh, she was definitely a Maxwell mate. There was no doubtabout that. He moved to the side and lifted her, planting her squarely acrosshis knees.
She yelped and then laughed out loud. “Not again. We’re inthe plane.”
He smacked her, smiling.
“Damn it, Athan.” She laughed again. “You have got to stopthis.”
“No, you need to stop putting yourself in danger.” Althoughher exhilaration and bravery were impressive, he really did need to keep heralive. It was good that he could have fun and laugh with her when it came tothis. She did need to submit, and she needed to learn that. He smacked herseveral times until she started to squirm. “I understand that you want to makea difference in this world, and I’m more than happy to help you do that.”
“I’ll make a difference by taking off your head,” shesnapped.
Humor bubbled through him as he rubbed her reddened flesh.“The bottom line is, you have to stay safe.”
“So you can live,” she muttered, her voice muffled.
He lifted her then so she straddled him with his backagainst the wall of the plane. “No, so you can live. I love you. Don’t you knowthat?”
She blinked, and her mouth fell open. “No, you never saidit.”
Now, he had. “Well, I do. You’re everything.” That was it. Hehad no more to give. She was everything.
She leaned in and kissed him. “I love you, too. I’ve lovedyou forever.”
Until right that second, he hadn’t realized how much he’dneeded to hear those words. He tangled his fingers in her hair and yanked herhead back. Then he leaned in and kissed her, giving her everything that he’dever be. He had no doubt they’d have plenty of arguments throughout the years,but if his grandparents could make it century upon century, so could they.
He planted them both on the carpet and slowly entered her.Finally coming home.
She wrapped around him and then kissed him again. “You knowit’s going to be a wild ride, right?”
“I know,” he said, kissing her deeply. “I’ve always known.”
Epilogue
Montana was stunning this time of year. Ivy turned her faceup to the sun and admired the beautiful fall foliage. Red, gold, orange…andevery shade of yellow burst wildly in the trees around her. The Maxwell ranchwas located against the Crazy Mountain Range, and apparently, her mate owned oneof the many sprawling log homes scattered around the hundred thousand acres.
Surely, it was a coincidence, yet Ivy had to admit that ifanybody belonged in the Crazy Mountains, it was the Maxwell clan.
In all of her years, she’d never lived on a ranch. Therewere working horses, cattle, and dogs. She’d already used her enhancementseveral times to see what they needed, and for the most part, they were healthyand content. One of the herding dogs had felt lonely, so she found a match forhim online, and his new friend should arrive in a day or so.
She rocked in contentment in the carved chair on the widedeck, noting several deer in the area. One nodded at her and then scamperedoff.
