r。 If she hadn't already gotten the
message； he did then。 There was a vow in his kiss； a declaration； a
promise。
〃I love you 。。。 love you 。。。 love you；〃 she whispered at the very first
chance； loving being able to say it at last。
When his hands moved down to frame her face and tip it up； she savored
the devotion she saw。 His eyes asked a question； hers answered。 Then he
lifted her into his arms and carried her back down the narrow staircase
to the room with the large bed； his bed。
This time； when he lowered her and reached for the hem of her sweater；
she caught his hands and stilled them。 〃Let me；〃 she said。 〃I need to
know you。〃
He searched her eyes for a minute。 Then； silently； he sat back on the
bed and let her undress him。 When his big body was bare； she could only
marvel at its beauty； at the beauty of the love she felt。 She explored
his every sinew； touching him with innocent wonder from his shoulders to
his thighs； skimming lean planes； tracing manly swells； delighting in
his arousal。
When his patience was exhausted； he made a gutteral sound。 〃That's it；
honey。 That's it。〃 With bullet speed； he flipped over her and removed
every stitch of her clothes。
They lay naked then on the cool sheets； facing one another。 Their
breathing was heavy with need and want； but he held her off for those
last few infinitely trying seconds。 His eyes ran the length of her once
more before searching her soul。
〃Are you sure？〃 he asked softly。
〃I love you；〃 she replied。
〃But it's different for a woman； isn't it？〃
〃Not when she's in love。〃
〃Then you'll be mine？〃
She grinned。 〃If you