t； no； from his soul； it was that deep； and
he pulled her around and crushed her in his arms。 〃I love you； Annie；〃
he whispered with a rush of feeling。 〃Don't ever； ever turn away from me
again。 Don't shut me out。 I can't survive it。〃
He kissed her； then pulled back and made a show of licking his lips。
〃Salt？〃
She smiled through her tears。 〃That's happiness。 You'll have to bear
with me。〃
〃I think I can manage it；〃 he said with infinite tenderness and brushed
the tears from her cheeks。 〃I do love you。〃
He showed her how much right there under the sun； worshipping her first
with clothes； then without； making love to her on the soft carpet of new
grass and dandelion puffs。 It was hotter； harder； sweeter than it had
ever been before； a preview of what it might be in twenty or thirty
years' time。
When later they lay still and let the sun stroke their naked bodies； she
nuzzled his neck。 〃This is heaven。〃
He patted her bottom。 〃Let's hope there's no poison ivy around here。〃
When she bolted upright； he burst out laughing。
〃Is there？〃 she asked。
He pulled her back to his chest。 〃No poison ivy。 Just me。〃
〃Will you give me a rash？〃
He laughed again。 〃Hopefully one very special itch now and again； never
a rash。〃
She stretching against him； so pleased to hear him laugh and know she
was its cause。 〃You have no idea ho