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Page 102
would become too furious to listen to anything else he had to say. Besides, he had decided not to consummate their lovemaking before that had happened; he would not be lying, then, if he did not mention it.
Still smiling, he replied, "Two things. One is this cove you chose. Is there a place where we could lie down? Sharp rocks are no good bed for a maiden to bear her first man."
That made Rhiannon smile also as she looked around. Then she glanced sidelong at Simon, suspicious again. "How is it that you noticed the rocks? I did not."
"It is not my first time of desiring," Simon pointed out with candor. He would never have said such a thing to another woman, but Rhiannon's honesty demanded honesty in return, when the truth would not lead to so false an impression as to amount to a lie.
Rhiannon considered that answer and nodded acceptance, beginning to smile again. "And your second reason?"
"Your very great willingness. No, do not grow angry before you hear the rest. I was not disgusted by your forwardness. It was a delight to me. I very nearly forgot the rocks and everything else; otherwise I would have stopped sooner." He stepped back a little so he could take her hands and raise them to his lips, after which he held them against his breast. "My love, my love, you are as innocent as a young doe, knowing the need of your body but not considering anything beyond it. I cannot grasp at that and forget all else. If you do not think of your own good, I must."
The rigidity that had come over Rhiannon at Simon's first words passed. She bent forward and kissed his hands, which were holding hers, then lifted her head and smiled at him. "You are very dear and very kindbut very wrong. I do, indeed, desire the satisfaction of my body. . . ." Her voice faltered slightly over the words as they brought back the throbbing excitement she had

 
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