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Need fed need, desire stoked desire, and love fueled love as they fell back onto the bed into each other’s ar while later, Mary lay on Jack’s chest, working to catch her breath, while he stroked his hand over her hair, soothing her even as he inflaain

"I love you"

She nestled in closer to hih his chest to hers when they were this close "I love you, too"

The ring glinted in her peripheral vision, and happiness swelled inside her Everything was so great, al as she didn’t think about…

As if he could read her mind, Jack suddenly said, "I think you should call your ot to want to kno happy you are"

Mary was tempted, so tempted to pick up the phone and share her joy with the two people who had been the center of her world for nineteen years Her heart raced just thinking of it

"No," she finally said, shaking her head against his chest "I can’t"

"Why not?"

Her parents had always expected her to be the perfect little girl and to only drearaphers had always expected her to be flawless and poised

Only Jack, Mary believed, loved her for who she really was

"Because if I call and they aren’t happy forto touch us tonight" Mary lifted her head and shifted her weight over his so that her thighs were on either side of his, her brsts pressed to the dark hair on his chest She lowered her ht is only for us Only for love" And then she let passion--and the joy of knowing she ith the one person on earth who loved her for herself--sweep her up all over again

Chapter Eighteen