He wasn’t sure who moved first. One moment there was space between them, the next his fingers closed around her wrist as she brushed a damp lock from his brow.
“You’ll tell me everything,” he said.
“You’ll make amends for leaving without a word.”
“I doubt you’ll be satisfied until you’ve drawn blood.”
“You know me so well.”
He looked at her mouth, their breath mingling, his need rising. “We’re alike. Both downright stubborn.”
“Stubborn and afraid.”
He feared nothing and no one.
Except for the way he felt about her.
“And hypocrites,” she added, pressing closer.
Panic cut through desire. “I ask nothing of you.”
“I was speaking of myself.” Her hand rested on his chest before drifting higher to trace his jaw. “I refuse to be owned by any man … but I long to be owned by you.”
“Be careful what you ask for. I might give it to you.”
“I deserve some recompense for being left behind.”
He cupped her face, his thumb pressing beneath her chin as though he meant to steady her.
In truth, he meant to steady himself.
The resolve lasted a heartbeat.
“Then you shall have it.”
He lowered his mouth to hers. Her lips were warm. Softer than he remembered. Softer than he deserved. He should pull away. Demand answers. Why had she gone to the grave? What had Mrs Buckley said? What did she think she knew?
Instead, he eased her lips apart with a patience he did not feel. He could taste her without taking. Please her and still master himself.
But her fingers curled at his nape, and the touch undid him. When she sighed against his mouth, his composure slipped. His hand went to her waist and he hauled her against him, kissed her like a man who ached to see her undone.
This thing between them was no game.
Heat surged low and savage. The throb in his trousers refused to subside. His hands slid to her bottom and he crushed her to him.
He needed her beneath him. At his mercy.
He deepened the kiss, driving it until her breath faltered and she clutched at him as though the floor had shifted beneath her.
He should stop.
Give her a moment to reconsider.
He tore his mouth from hers with a rough breath. “You’llbe the death of me before the week is through. Speak now if you’ve had enough.”
“Enough?” The glint in her eyes made him question who was doing the claiming. “I’ll not stop until I’ve found your heart, Dominic.”
“You’ll be looking for a long time.”
