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Releasing her clasp frohtly so they could see each other’s face “It was a very naughty book,” she said softly

A guarded look entered his expression "Were you horrified for having been exposed to such lascivious wantonness?"

“No”

She brushed locks of hair froently traced the small scar at the corner of his mouth “Do you wish to debauch me in such a manner?”

His thued softly over her bottom lip “God help me, but I do, my Prie,” he said gently with a smile of such wicked promise her mouth dried

A shiver, half dread, half anticipation, ruffled her composure “Gabriel?”

“Yes, my sweet?”

She leaned over to kiss his lips softly “I do not want to wait until our wedding night”

Chapter 3

The h the room The fireplace danced, and the room dipped in more shadows as the last of the winter sun disappeared behind the clouds The roohts from the hearth danced over the blue patterned wallpapers, the thick silver drapes stirred, the winds sweeping through the cracks of the s curling through the room

She put her hand atop his chest, covering his fiercely beating heart “We’ve already waited a year,” she teer”

Her senses were filled with the warm, hts spent longing just for this inti her, his ar her, just as he was now And she kneasherself to voice her doubts They felt too raw, too frightening He'd never proved himself to be inconsistent, and she knew he loved her But their entire courtship had been done in secret, and they had no idea of the strident objections they would face

But if he should change his mind tomorrow at his family’s disapproval, she would have experienced passion and love with him, even just once She would have memories that would last her a lifetime, and she would have them with a man she loved with her whole heart

“Primrose,” her name escaped his lips like a plea

“I’ve read the book,” she whispered, staring into his eyes “Several times”