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John turned back around, his face stark with emotion He opened his mouth but did not speak

Belle stepped forward and touched his cheek with her hand "And if you'll let me," she said softly, "I want to protect you, too"

John placed his hand over hers "Oh, Belle, what did I ever do to deserve you?"

She finally allowed herself a sroan, John pulled her into his arain," he said fiercely, burying his hands in her thick hair

"Please say you mean it this time"

John pulled away and took her face in his hands, his brown eyes firmly focused on her blue ones "I proether"

Belle wrapped her arainst his fir? Or at least for the next few hours? Just pretend that everything is perfect?"

John leaned down and gently brushed his lips against the corner of heris perfect"

Belle turned her face so that she could return his kisses with all of her unschooled eagerness Her passion only served to inflame his, and before she knew it, he had lifted her into his arms and carried her the short distance to his bed

He laid her down and smoothed her hair from her face with such reverence that tears caht," he said, his voice fiercely tender

Belle only uttered one word "Please"

His lips trailed hot kisses down the side of her neck as his ni He touched her like a starving o slow," he said harshly

"I don't care," Belle moaned She felt the now fas and down her ar She wanted release, begged for it, pleaded for it She'd never drea tasted it once before, she couldn't fight the urge to quench its hot flaown, driven by her need to feel his skin against hers

John seees, and he nearly tore his robe in his haste to feel her breasts pressed up against his chest "God, hoant you," he growled, sliding one hand down her torso to nestle in her crisp thatch of hair She et, and the knowledge nearly drove hier he could hold out without plunging himself into her, but he wanted to be absolutely certain that she was ready for hier inside of her He could feel heraround him, and he was stunned by the rawness of her desire

"Please," Belle begged "I want…" Her voice trailed off

"What do you want?"