"They manage it on my behalf. I doubt Betise and Iyona would think to look there, as it's one of the smaller lodges and definitely middle range."
"And the Sinclairs are well-known for their deluxe tastes."
"Exactly. You can stay there until I get this all sorted out."
Fear touched her eyes, and the warm caress of her fingers against his skin stopped. "You keep saying I rather than we. You're going after them, aren't you?"
"Yes. They have to be stopped."
"Savannah and the rangers will stop them."
"I intend to be there as backup." Not that he distrusted the abilities of Savannah's team. He just suspected Betise and Iyona would not be so easily caught. Not if they'd been planning all this for a long time.
He walked down the lodge's driveway, past the main lobby entrance and through the terraced gardens. The cabin they'd been assigned was at the rear of the property and extremely private.
"You're leaving once they're caught, aren't you?"
He hesitated. "For a while."
"So this could be our last night?"
He didn't answer. Didn't dare, lest he blurt out exactly what he was feeling. She wouldn't believe it. Not until she'd reached deep inside and discovered the truth for herself.
He placed her gently on her feet then opened the door and had a quick look inside to ensure all was ready. The room was warm, lit by the golden light of the fire burning in the huge stone fireplace. Two sofas and a couple of well-padded chairs corralled the fire, and on the other side of the room, there was a TV and a bar. The bedrooms and bathroom were upstairs. It wasn't much, but it was comfortable.
"After you, my lady," he said, turning around.
Only to discover she'd stripped. For one brief second, he allowed himself the pleasure of simply looking at her, letting his gaze travel down the long length of her neck, taking in her small but perfectly formed br**sts, watching their peaks harden with desire. Her breathing was quick and sharp, every intake seeming to shudder through her entire body. Her desire stung the air, a rich scent that called to the wildness in him and made him harder than he'd ever thought possible.
But the full moon was too close, and if he started loving her, he might not want to stop. And she was injured, and he had villains to catch.
"Neva — "
"No." She stepped into his arms, her words hot and breathy against his lips. "Just dance with me. Right here, right now."
He took a deep breath and puffed it out. "It's better that we don't — "
"Don't what?" she murmured saucily, her fingers cool against his chest as she slipped her hands under his sweater.
He pulled her hands firmly away. "You need to rest."
"I need to dance." Her gaze searched his, eyes gleaming in the darkness. "Are you going to take me up on the offer, or shall I go find someone who will?"
Even a saint would not be able to resist such an invitation — and he was a long way from sainthood. He crushed her close, his mouth finding hers almost savagely. She wrapped her arms around his neck, holding him tight, matching his urgency. Desire shimmered between them, but even a heat so fierce was not enough to stop her shivering. He picked her up and carried her inside, kicking the door shut before making his way across to the sofa nearest the fire. Once he'd placed her on her feet again he stepped back and quickly stripped. The musky scent of her desire grew stronger, fueling the need already raging through his veins. But rather than pulling her close and claiming her as he ached to do, he reached out, running his hand down her neck. She trembled, her pulse galloping beneath his fingertips.
"I don't want to dance," he said softly.
Her gaze swept down his body, and a smile teased her kiss-swollen lips. "Well, certain parts of your body are belying that statement."
"That's not what I mean. I want to make love to you."
Confusion flickered through her bright eyes. "They're the same thing."
"No. Dancing is for pleasure. Making love is something more." And he ached to show her what he dared not say.
She ran her tongue across her lips. He had to resist the sudden urge to follow that moist trail with his mouth.
"In what way?"