Lani froze. Mountain lions were rare aboveground in the Texas Hill Country. She’d never heard of one living in an enclosed karst habitat. Eyeless spiders and beetles, cave crickets and bats, yes. But never a lion.

How the hell did he get down here?

Another twirl revealed the cat, shifting from side to side on his large paws, the thick muscles of his shoulders and hindquarters revealing rippling shadows as he peered at her from the ledge. He leaned out and lifted a large paw, appearing ready to bat at her as she dangled from the rope. A scream ripped from her throat.

Terror made her hand shake as she slowly slid it down her thigh. She unbuttoned the side pocket and drew out the ascender and inched it up her harness, clipping it to the rope.

She cursed the spinning that made her head reel and her stomach plummet each time she lost sight of the huge cat. Think!

Darkness was her friend. She flipped off her helmet lamp and plunged herself and the lion into deepest night. Then she held her breath and waited.

A scratchy howl of frustration echoed around her, surprisingly clear after the cotton-thick sounds she’d experienced before. But she didn’t have time to ponder the mystery. She followed her line upwards until she felt the rounded grip of the ascender, fit her fingers inside the grip, and slid it up the rope. Then she adjusted her rigging to take up the slack.

Closing her mind to the creature hovering on the ledge, she worked her way upward as soundlessly as the rigging and her ragged breaths would allow. Slide, adjust, slide, adjust. Without light she couldn’t gauge her progress, but soon the muscles in her shoulders and arms burned. She had to be close.

Finally, a halo of light appeared above, and she reached for her whistle and blew. The rope shuddered, and then she felt one long tug and another, as the men pulled her upward. Hands extended to help her over the lip of rock.

Before she could utter a feeble protest, she lay cradled against a broad, rock-hard chest. Strong arms pulled her close. She knew immediately whose arms held her in a bruising grip. His musky scent surrounded her, and she pressed her nose into the corner of his shoulder.

She was in the dark, in the one place where she’d learned to fight and truly be free of her monsters. Relaxing, she aligned her body on top of his and waited for the quivering to stop—as she had done so many times before.

“Lani, what the hell happened down there?” Rafael Chavez lay on the cave floor with his arms around Lani. He’d dropped his flashlight the moment he’d reached to drag her over the edge.

Randy was still peering over the side, the light from his helmet a misty, distant smudge.

For the moment, Rafe was alone with his woman in the darkness, and he savored it.

Her body shook as she clung tightly, her hands clutching his arms. He pressed her face deeper into the corner of his shoulder and drew in a breath to calm his racing heart. The moment her light had faded as she’d disappeared down the rope, he’d forgotten how to breathe. When he’d heard the whistle’s trill, his heart had stopped altogether.

For the first time since he’d stepped into this hellhole, the world felt right. “Did you find the boy?”

She nodded, her nose rubbing up and down against his neck.

“He didn’t make it?”

She nodded again.

He swore and blew out a deep breath. Poor bastard.

“It’s the weirdest damn thing,” she said, her voice hoarse and tight. “He’s on a ledge directly below us. No way he fell under the lip. He either climbed, or he was carried.”

Her breath gusted sweetly on his face, and he knew her mouth was only inches from his. Then he realized what she’d said. “Carried?”

“There’s a mountain lion on the ledge with him.”

He didn’t ask her how that was possible. Or if she was sure of what she’d seen. The woman had been steady as a rock when she’d lowered herself into the cavern—something had certainly rattled her.

“We’d better get help in here,” he said, not wanting to move just yet. Her body was relaxing, and his was warming up. “We’ll have to send an officer down with a shotgun. Did the boy look badly mauled?”

“Not yet. The cat didn’t look like it was starving, either.”

“Mustn’t have been trapped down there long. Can he get up here?”

“I don’t know. There are angled ledges, all the way down—or at least as far as I could see.” Her breath was closer, blowing over his lips. “He might.”

“We better move,” he said, but his hands smoothed down her back.

“Yeah,” she whispered, closer still.

Before he thought better of it, he fisted his hand in her hair and pulled her down.

Her mouth was open and ready, and she sipped greedily at his lips, suctioning softly.

He tore his mouth away and whispered, “Damn you.”

Her hands cupped his face, and she sealed her warm mouth over his again, sliding her lips back and forth.

Then her tongue stroked his, and he was lost. He cursed her for teasing him like this when he knew she’d push him away as soon as they exited the cave.

She’d come to him in darkness—never in the light. He knew it. Knew she didn’t feel the same need that ate a hole in his gut when he wasn’t with her, that made him crazed to be inside her when she was near.

He hadn’t a clue how to push his way past the wall she’d erected around her heart. She cared for him—he could see it in her eyes, even when she’d told him her door would be locked at night. Against him.

She didn’t love him. Didn’t trust him enough to share whatever in her past held her back. He’d hoped over time she would let him in—let him help her chase away her demons.

Even knowing that might never happen, he couldn’t let her go. So, he kissed her—here in the dark where she accepted him. Her mouth on his, their bodies pressed so close their heartbeats aligned. He tightened his embrace and wished the rest of the world would fade away.

“I knew I should have tossed you over the damn edge.”

Rafe squinted against the light that shone down from Randy Brandt’s helmet. He’d forgotten the fireman was nearby.

Lani pushed at his shoulders until he let his arms drop. Her motions rough and jerking, she couldn’t scramble away fast enough. She never spared him a glance as she stared warily at the younger man. “We—we better go brief the team.”

Randy shoved her helmet into her stomach and shouldered past. “You might want to wait a minute. Your mouth’s swollen.” He walked away, and the dark swallowed them again.

The silence that followed Randy’s departure was leaden. Rafe sat up, wincing at the tightness of his groin.

Light flickered from Lani’s helmet, and she offered her hand.

Knowing this touch might be their last, he let her pull him to his feet. He held tight for a long moment before releasing it.

She cleared her throat. “Put your hand on my shoulder, and I’ll lead you out.”

“Lani—”

“Not now.” Lani’s mouth tightened. “I’ll leave the back door unlocked.”

Four hours later, Rafe didn’t give Lani a chance to change her mind.

He was through giving her space. He’d left her alone for twenty-one days, just like she’d asked. He’d spent twenty-one sleepless nights. That was ending now.

He followed her to the front porch only a step behind her, his body so taut he couldn’t think beyond the need to bury himself deep inside her.

His need was fueled in part by his desire, which was never far from the surface. But mostly, he had to assure himself she was safe, untouched by the tragedy they’d witnessed and the danger she’d put herself in.

She’d scared the hell out of him today.

He waited, impatient while she fumbled with her keys. His cock was already as hard as a post, ripe for sex—had been since she’d kissed him in the cave.

Lani didn’t look back, and he was glad, sure his expression was feral, ferocious. She jerkily stabbed the key into the lock to unlatch the door.

As soon as it swung open, he came up against her back, pushing her through the door and kicked it shut. He didn’t bother turning on a light—he knew she’d object. Instead, he reached around her waist and unsnapped her uniform pants, forced down the zipper, and jerked her clothing past her hips.

Another step and his pants were open, his cock springing free. Without a word he pushed her down, draping her over the arm of the sofa a few feet inside the door. The fingers of one hand found her soft, wet cleft while the other guided his cock. Without preamble, he drove into her as deep as he could reach.

Lani moaned a protest and wriggled beneath him. “Let me open my legs.”

“Can’t wait. Give me this,” he pleaded, nuzzling her ear, dragging in her scent: dust mixed with sweat—and her. He pulled out and pushed his cock back inside, dying in sensation as he tunneled past the slick folds of her sex, gliding deep into the rippling channel that gloved him in cream and heat. Damn, this was going to be over fast.

“Fuck me, Rafe,” she said, her words ending on a whimper.

“Christ! Don’t talk,” he said, gritting his teeth. He pulled partway out, hoping to regroup his rapidly dwindling control.

But Lani squeezed her inner muscles around him, clamping hard around his erection, adding friction to the heat burning away his restraint.

His balls clenched. He was lost. “Baby, I’ll make it up to you.” Reaching around her slender waist, he slid his hands beneath her shirt and pushed up her bra. Her beaded nipples scraped his palms, and he squeezed, not bothering to hold back a groan. He pulled out a few inches and slammed back inside.

He hammered—clumsy, fevered glides. So overcome with need, he couldn’t think farther than the next stroke.

Lani’s head sank to the sofa, and her hands clutched at the fabric. Sexy little moans and gasps tore from her throat.

When his orgasm slammed through him, he cursed, gripping her breasts, his face pressed against her shoulder, his body heaving with each spurt of his release.

After the last pulse slowed to a gentle throb, he eased away, unable to meet her shadowed gaze as she reared up and stared over her shoulder. He’d wanted this to be perfect—needed a chance to show her how much she meant to him.

Instead, he’d proved he was like any other man—just more desperate than most, because she was slipping away.

He helped her up, seating her on the sofa, and quickly removed his clothing. Without a word, he knelt at her feet and quickly shucked her shoes and socks, then slid her pants down her long legs.

When he glanced up, he spotted the moisture in her eyes, gleaming in the dim light filtering through the window. His heart squeezed. “I’m sorry, baby. I’ll make this time right.”

She didn’t reply, just shook her head and bent down, her lips sliding over his. Her kiss was sweet, her hot mouth wicked as her tongue glided over his, sweeping deep into his mouth. Then she leaned away and stripped her shirt and bra over her head and reached for him.

He held her hands away. “No, baby, I’m feeling like a bastard right now,” he said, turning one wrist to kiss the pulse thudding beneath her skin. “I’m sorry I left you behind. Let me show you how much.”

His hands smoothed down her sleek calves, and then gripped her ankles to force them apart.

Lani gasped, struggling against his hold. “No, Rafe. I need a bath.”

His hands slid back up, clamping on her knees and pushed them wider apart. “Let me, baby. I’m dying to taste you.” He bent and kissed her left knee and circled his tongue on her soft inner thigh.

Her hands gripped his shoulders and shoved.

He nipped her thigh, telling her without words he wouldn’t take “no” for an answer, then continued to lap, stroking upward. Did she really think a little sweat would put him off? Her reticence only made him more determined. He licked and circled, drawing nearer to her core.

Lani’s whimpered protests became interspersed with moans, but still she resisted his carnal persuasion. Her bottom wriggled on the sofa as she tried to move away. Her fingers slid through his hair and tugged backward.

He ignored the sting and gripped her hips to hold her still. “You won’t stop me.”

His tongue reached the crease between her thigh and plump labia. He traced its length, fluttering his tongue into the seam. Her scent was strong and ripening. He breathed her in and continued licking her skin, wetting her springy curls.

Lani moaned and shifted again on the sofa, her fingers spearing through his hair, tugging him close now. “Rafe, stop,” she said, but her voice was wispy, unconvincing.

Pulling one plump lip between his, he sucked, and then stroked inside to lap the cream coating her fragile inner lips. His cock stirred again, lengthening. He didn’t pause, wouldn’t give in to the urge to take her again. This time was for her.

He squeezed her buttocks and pulled her closer to the edge of the cushion, never letting up his ravenous assault. His tongue speared inside, and he held her while she bucked, forcing him deeper.

Her hands cradled his head, and her thighs trembled around him. Still he licked and sucked, then lapped upward until his tongue touched the hardened kernel at the top of her sex.

Lani’s breath gasped and held.

Rafe closed his mouth around her clit and drew on it, flickering the point of his tongue across the rounded bundle of nerves until Lani’s body quivered and spasmed as she came apart. He held her, determined to wring out every last moment of rapture. Then he rocked with her, his cheek pressed against her soft belly, his arms wrapped around her holding her tight.

When she quieted, he lunged upward, his arms encircling her back as he lifted her from the sofa. With her legs locked around his waist and her head resting on his shoulder, he walked down the black hallway to her bedroom, never hesitating to find his way in the darkness.

Rafe lazily caressed Lani’s back and shoulders, enjoying the sight of her, replete and dozing in his arms. In the gray light creeping beneath her curtains, her chin-length blonde hair was delightfully mussed; her lush mouth was swollen from his kisses.

Her cheek lay on his chest, and her body was snuggled so close, he wondered if she held him in her dreams. He dreaded the morning. Would she turn from him again? Tell him they didn’t have a future together—that she couldn’t love him?

From the first moment his gaze had settled on her, Rafe had felt “connected”—like he’d found something he hadn’t known was missing.

Lani could deny it all she wanted, but he knew he’d never have gotten her into bed so fast after finding her if she hadn’t felt it too. Now, everything he wanted for the future was riding on his belief that he could wait her out.

He’d tried giving her time apart to think about them, but she’d only gone back to work on rebuilding her walls, while he hadn’t been able to last a day without hearing the sound of her voice—even if it was for her to tell him she didn’t want to see him again.

Well, he was back in her bed now, and she’d have one hell of a fight on her hands if she tried to deny him, again.

Pressing a kiss to her forehead, he pushed aside the thoughts that burned a hole in his stomach and let his mind wander back to the cave. Too many unanswered questions kept him awake.

Lani had supervised the retrieval of the boy’s body, accompanied this time by an armed officer. Autopsy results wouldn’t be available for days, but it appeared Matt Costello had died from the injuries he’d suffered from his fall.

There’d been no sign of Lani’s cat. No paw prints, although the ledge had been drenched in the boy’s blood. More telling, there’d been no sign a hungry predator had mauled his body. Except for odd pressure marks on his upper torso and one shoulder, no hint that anything other than a fatal fall had occurred.

However, the mystery only deepened when the rescue team swung inward to the ledge where he lay. No way in hell the boy had landed there, but a mountain lion was still an unlikely explanation. If it had been anyone other than Lani who’d reported seeing the cat, he’d have questioned whether the story was true.

He wanted to believe her. Something had definitely spooked her. The proud, contrary woman was as tough as nails—a professional. He’d never seen her flinch from danger, yet she’d trembled in his arms inside the cave.

Lani stirred beside him, and her leg slid over his until her knee nudged his sex. “Thought you needed your sleep,” she said, her voice low and husky.

“I lied,” he said, hugging her closer, a smile curving his lips. “You were the one yawning in mid-stroke.”

“Impossible,” she said, sounding grumpy. “This thing kept prodding me awake.”

Rafe drew a deep breath and hauled her over him, until she’d settled her legs between his, her chin propped on her folded hands. “What’s next, baby?” Jesus, could he have been blunter?

Lani’s eyes clouded. “I don’t know. You’re a hard man to shake loose.”

“Why try?” he asked, surprised by the scratchy quality of his voice.

“You don’t really know me…”

“I know I love you,” he said baldly, his heart thudding like a dull drum.

Tears pooled, and she turned her head to hide them.

Rafe was determined this time she wouldn’t shut him out. He cupped her chin and lifted her head. “Tell me why that upsets you. You have to know by now how I feel.”

Lani took a deep breath but shook her head. “I can’t. I just wish you didn’t…love me, that is.” Her eyes held a world of hurt.

Sure, she cared, but she was confused about why she was so set on denying him. Rafe sighed. Tackling problems head-on might be how he handled most situations, but Lani wasn’t an easy puzzle to solve. “If you don’t tell me, how will I understand? Or is it that you just don’t love me back?”

Her breath caught, and her mouth opened.

He thought her first instinct would be to tell him just that. “Don’t,” he said, pressing his thumb against her lips. “Don’t say it. I’m not gonna believe you.”

“If you have this all figured out, why ask me?” she said, resentment making her lips thin.

Anger was a lot easier to face than hurt. Feeling relieved, and a bit like a coward, Rafe decided to let it go. “All right. I’ll back off for now. But don’t you try shutting me out again. It won’t work, you know. I’m not going away.”

Lani stared for a long moment. Rafe wished he could hear her thoughts. But Lani gave him a tense little smile, and then laid her head on his chest.

His arms tightened around her body, and he heaved a sigh of relief. At least for now, she wasn’t pushing him away.