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"And did you want to get where you were going very badly?"

"Oh, yes," Belle breathed "Very badly" She took a step toward him, and then another and another, until they were quite close "I think you've made a wanton out of me"

"I certainly hope so"

Belle noticed that his breathing had grown slightly ragged and smiled It was nice to know that she could affect him the way he did her "Oh, by the way," she said offhandedly "It usually does take ed"

"What?" John's eyes had glazed over with desire, and his mind absolutely refused to comprehend her statement

Belle turned around "The buttons"

He sucked in his breath as he gazed at her s dress

"Would you mind?" she asked softly

Wordlessly, John slipped her buttons into their buttonholes, his fingers straying to her warm skin at every possible occasion When he reached the top one, he leaned down and dropped a tender kiss on the fragrant skin of her neck

"Thank you," Belle said softly as she turned around Every nerve ending on her neck and back felt as if it had suddenly co to have to behave with a bit more propriety-they were in her father's library, after all-she moved over to an overstuffed leather chair and sat down "We do have a fewherself comfortable

"Tomorrow" John lowered hi your pardon?"

"We're getting married tomorrow"

Belle blinked "That's a bit soon, don't you think?" She had resigned herself to the fact that she was not going to have the wedding of her drea a little special She doubted that any of her relatives would be able to make it to London to witness her nuptials if John had his way

"I'd do it today, but I think a lady ought to have a bit of ti sarcastic "We don't need to be quite so hasty"

Her words did not worry hie Still, he had no desire for a long engageht before "I should think we need to be extremely hasty I want you near me where I can see to your safety Not tomy child"