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Page 307
There was a smile in his voice, and his soft brown eyes twinkled.
"Is that so? Well, what if I plan a relapse?"
His mouth curved down, and his brows furrowed. "Do not do that." He sat on the bed beside her and took both of her hands in his. "I do not think I could bear that, Mariah."
His kiss was gentle, reverent, as though she had become a distant and respected relative.
But she felt better. Much better. She pulled her hands away and threw her arms around him, ignoring the resultant pain at her right shoulder. Her lips opened against his, and she boldly thrust her tongue inside the sweet, waiting cavern of his mouth. His tongue was waiting, and for a long, wonderful moment they played teasing games with one another that made Mariah's body ache in places that had nothing to do with her wounds.
But then he drew back. "I am sorry, Mariah. This cannot he good for your healing."
"It's wonderful for my healing. The best medicine I could get."
"Except for bread mold."
"Except for bread mold," she agreed, pulling him toward her once more.
But their kiss was interrupted by the clearing of someone's throat. Thorn pulled away and glared at René, who stood in the doorway.
"Pardonez-moi." Though the light was behind his head, Mariah could see that his large eyes studied the floor, and his squat, compact body swayed, as though he were ill at ease.
"Oh, Frenchie, no need to be embarrassed," came a female voice from behind him. He stumbled slightly, as though he'd been shoved into the room, and Holly appeared. She was dressed in Mariah's pink dress with the scarf tucked about the neck. "We're all friends here, we are." She came closer, then leered up at Thorn. "Making sure our patient has no more fever, are we? Or are we causing a new one?" She laughed.
Mariah glanced at Thorn. Once, he might have frowned

 
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