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“Both of us need you”

She scoffed “You want me to be a lover to Marcellus as well?”

He paused, then sed “I want you to marry him”

She jerked, betraying her shock “What are you saying, Maxwell? You do not want me anymore?”

Hewarm reassurance She noted he was careful not to touch her

“Never I ant you always Marcellus ant you always, Emily If I touch you, feel the softness of your skin, taste your lips, he feels it all Not as keenly as I do, but he will endure everything I feel from you and for you You are our heart”

She lifted her fingers to his parted lips “Please, say no more, Maxwell I need some time alone”

“Emily—”

“Please go”

His gaze was filled with outright challenge “I kno fierce you are I kno much you love, and I damn well know you can take us both and all the love we have to give you What are you afraid of?”

“Get out, Maxwell,” she ordered, surged to her feet, and then stor it open

He scowled, slowly cos from us”

Rage rushed through her bloodstrea her eyes, she jabbed hier when he reached her

“You lied to ry I am hurt because I trusted you both to be honest with me,” she snarled “If I damn well choose to hide, run, or never speak to the both of you again, it is ht And you will not tell ford for a few days And yes, I a I do not care what you or Marcellus thinks How dare you think I aave you the right towith et out, and I swear if you try to follow ive me a few days to think, I will take Papa’s rifle and shoot you as how the in to think about what you just revealed toto protect Marcellus Believing that if you knew I had been with hiht I was protecting you fro me”

“Emily—”