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Hiswith hi sea toward release She plunged her fingers into his skin, raking hiet even closer to hiin to spiral out of control

"Oh, you shall have it, I promise" His hand slipped between their bodies and touched her most sensitive nub of flesh She exploded theout her passion as every muscle in her body tensed and then see around his hard shaft was more than John could bear, and he thrust into her one last tiether they collapsed into a dazed, sweaty tangle of ar fro had returned to normal, he brushed a damp tendril from her face and asked, "Well?"

Belle sh of relief She wasn't going to ask him about his refusal to accept her declaration of love He felt his body relax and even eI've ever known And I have you to thank"

He tweaked her nose "You played a pivotal role yourself"

"M back for ht," she finished, unable to think of better words When John made a move to protest, she placed her hand over his mouth and said, "Shh I could see it in your face You're such a gentle, caring man, but you try so hard not to let people see that side of you Look at everything you did toht"

"It's because I-because I care about you, Belle I want everything to be perfect for you"

"Oh, it is, John," she said with a contented sigh "It is"

"I' to keep you safe"

Belle snuggled into the crook of his ar to keep you safe, too"

John sh his mind

"I'm not helpless, you know," Belle said

"I know," he said indulgently

His tone annoyed her, and she twisted around to face hiet used to it, because I' to let you try to deal with this monster all by yourself"