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He brushed his lips against hers in a manner that could only be described as perfunctory

“That’s not a very good kiss,” she pouted “You’re perched on the edge of the bed like a gargoyle, glowering at ”

She sat up and placed her arms around his shoulders

“Then kiss oyle-like husband of oyle? You’re hell on a o, Mrs Emerson”

“You’re far more beautiful than me, Professor But I’m fine with that”

“Don’t blaspheainst thein frustration

“I love you, Gabriel That means I’ll put up with a hell of a lot from you But I won’t let you shutho and angry sapphires in the nether darkness

“What?” he growled

“If I go and stay with my dad, he’ll talk to et ho as if you can’t stand the sight ofup at the canopy

“Beatrice” His voice was pained “If you need to see your dad, we’ll go together But I would never let you o home without me”

She hazarded a sht I’d lost you” She re them on the side table Then she pulled hi her Then, ever so lightly, he found her lips in the darkness

“Finally” She rested her head against his chest “Tell riht now”

“Yes, I do”

“Fine You said you thought I wished you were sorew sharp “Never say soain”

“I’m sorry,” she whispered

“It isn’t true I swear to God, it isn’t true I left that life behind and God helpyou to go back there I was hoping you’d work out your bad ”

“I wasn’t fantasizing about fking other wory “And e have is too important to cheapen”

She sat up swiftly

“There was nothing cheap in e did last night We love each other We’d both received upsetting news We needed comfort”