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Then realization hit her He was ahi eyes, no matter how deserted it felt to her oblivious senses

Fear won over her greed to give hi moan of loss and reproach reverberated like distant thunder in his chest

It made up her mind for her

And she stammered, “Would you like to co through hi what her ar her withdrawing fro hi like a tidal wave of despondency Then it had been the last seconds, the last glied back into his existence, contained him in her arms, her haven Then she’d made her offer

He had no idea what it was exactly but, whatever it was, he couldn’t take anything Not when he wanted everything Not when he had nothing to offer in return

“Come in, Malek”

This ti he comply He did, surrendered, let her take his hand and lead hi, but he couldn’t bear letting her fade out of his life

But she was still there, drawing him deeper into hers, resolve and shyness in her eyes like at their firstThere was more now Gentleness Generosity Solicitude

Then a sudden burst of anxiety wiped away everything She dropped his hand, swung away

What had happened? What had gone wrong?

Now she’d ask hiet out Or he’d wake up

“I’m sorry, Malek It’s just—just …” She paused, her throat working in agitation “I’ve seen you do sofor you—to show you, beyond words, howout, “But your … fa for you”

So that was it What so troubled her

“You think I would have kissed you the first day we met if I had a … family?”

“You didn’t … well, you alh “The al me, came into your room I’d have to be a dishonorable, unfaithful wretch if I did all that with a … fa for me Is that what you think I am?”

“No” Her denial was ready, vehement It validated him, made him proud Her next wordsabout you …”

And as long as he didn’t tell her anything, he could delude hi to worry about in that area,” he rasped, feeling as if he was lying, heard his voice alien in his ears, thick with hunger, rough with agitation He shouldn’t be doing this He could do nothing else He had to have more of her Just a little bit more “So—what did you have in mind?”

Her heavenly eyes nanimity, its uniqueness “You look finished …”