elf。 Maybe I was feeling guilty for finding happiness
with you。〃 Her voice broke。
His eyes met hers； then； and they were filled with the same
vulnerability she felt。 It gave her the strength to finish。
〃My God； Mitch； haven't we both suffered enough？ Isn't it time to end
the punishment？ I love you。〃
〃Do you； Anne？〃 he asked unsurely； huskily； hopefully。 〃Do you love me
enough to want to wake up in my arms every day； knowing that I make
mistakes？〃
〃Knowing that you're human？ It's a relief； y'know？〃
A sound came from his throat； no； from his soul； it was that deep； and
he pulled her around and crushed her in his arms。 〃I love you； Annie；〃
he whispered with a rush of feeling。 〃Don't ever； ever turn away from me
again。 Don't shut me out。 I can't survive it。〃
He kissed her； then pulled back and made a show of licking his lips。
〃Salt？〃
She smiled through her tears。 〃That's happiness。 You'll have to bear
with me。〃
〃I think I can manage it；〃 he said with infinite tenderness and brushed
the tears from her cheeks。 〃I do love you。〃
He showed her how much right there under the sun； worshipping her first
with clothes； then without； making love to her on the soft carpet of new
grass and dandelion puffs。 It was hotter； harder； sweeter than it had
ever been before； a preview of what it might be in twenty or thirty
years' time。
When later they lay still and let the sun stroke their naked bodies； she
nuzzled his neck。 〃This is heaven。〃
He patted her bottom。 〃Let's hope there's no poison ivy around here。〃
When she bolted upright； he burst out laughing。
〃Is there？〃 she asked。
He pull