Page 52 (2/2)

Which wasn't, after all, very well

John chuckled and lifted her into his arms "You, love, are perfect You shouldn't feel ashamed"

"I'm not," she replied softly "Not with you It's just very strange I'm not… used to this"

"I should hope not" He pushed the books off of her bed and laid her down on the soft white sheets Belle stopped breathing in to undress His shirt ca a firmly ht of his to pool in her belly Without thinking she reached a hand out, even though he was roaned at her curiosity It was getting harder and harder for hi there looking up at hie of the bed and yanked off his boots, then stood up again to peel off his breeches

Belle gasped when she saw histo work He er than norain

His knee

"Dear God," she whispered It was covered with scars, and it looked as if a large chunk of flesh had been removed from just above the joint The taut skin was discolored and without hair, its ry reminder of the horrors of war

John's aze shot quickly up to his face "It's not that," she assured hily at all" And to prove her point, she slid out of bed and knelt before him to kiss the scars "It makes me sick to think of how this must have hurt you," she whispered "And how close you ca I can't ian to kiss hi a soft stream of love onto his skin

Emotions John had never expected to feel, never dreaed powerfully within hihly to her feet "Oh God, Belle," he rasped "I want you soso that John's hard frame covered hers The breath was squeezed frolorious, unlike anything she'd ever experienced He kissed her and kissed her until she was certain she would melt, and then suddenly he lifted his head and looked deeply into her eyes

"I' to pleasure you first," he said "So you know that there is nothing to fear, that there is only beauty and wonder"

"I'e he had looked "Well, ly "I haven't any experience with innocents, but I want this to be perfect for you I think it ive you release first"

Belle had no idea what he was talking about, but she nodded anyway "You sound as if you've given this considerable thought"

"Believe ht of little else" His hand gently slid down the length of her body

She reached up, touched his cheek, and softly said, "I trust you"