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"I kno freely your mother said that to men Hell, I’ve heard her say it about a hundred tiuys since you’ve moved here I know she thinks she loves them and throws the word around too easily I also know she never once said those words to you or your siblings So, I kno foreign those words are to you I know you don’t want to do anything like yourinto her"

She nodded slowly "But, Madison, you are not your , stubborn, s I kno hard it was for you to allow yourself to give yourself to a man I’m honored beyond words that I was your first" And last, but she didn’t know that yet "I won’t push you or get upset if you don’t you love me All I want is to be allowed to show you how I feel about you and to tell you"

"Ephrai anyone other than my brother and sister"

He pressed another kiss to her neck "Well, then letyou to let me love you I’m fine if you never say it I just want you, Madison"

She gulped "For how long?"

"However long you’ll let me" Forever, but really she didn’t need to know that either

"No pressure?"

"No pressure"

He turned her in his ar clear, Madison I have never told another person that I love the around youryou I won’t run for the hills either or beco as you’ll let me and I won’t pressure you" He tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear "For as long as you want me, Madison, I am your man"

"But what if you-"

"I won’t"

"You didn’t let me finish"

"It doesn’t ainst hers She wasn’t giving up He could practically feel her fear

"What if you get bored with me? I’m not very beautiful and-"

He pulled back to search her eyes She was serious She really had no idea "Madison, let me clear that up for you You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen"

She scoffed

"Madison, I would never tell you otherwise Whatheart You’re too kind and sweet for your own good sometimes"

"No I’m not Ephraim, see this is just infatuation for you You think I’m perfect I’m not I’m a woman with many faults, but you don’t seem to see the thoughtful

"Yes! See that’s how uy You don’t see the real me"

"Hmmm"

"I’m not perfect, Ephraim, and sooner or later you’ll see that and move on" Her words hurt but they needed to be said He didn’t understand He couldn’t There was no such thing as love Affection? Yes, she cared about him deeply More than anyone, but love? No There was no such thing as romantic love It was just infatuation ht" He pulled away and sat on the edge of the bed to pull on his socks and shoes "Baby, can you handon the back of the bathroo around the shirt’s collar

A little confused over how easily he dropped the subject she handed him the shirt "That’s it?"

"What?" He stood up, buttoning the shirt and unzipped his pants to tuck it in

She raised her hands slightly and let the" She chickened out