The kiss consumed him. Destroyed him. He'd never felt anything more powerful, not even the day before when they'd kissed in the stream. He hadn't told her his secret then. That she knew, and still welcomed his touch with such unbounded love, humbled him beyond belief.

He pulled away just long enough to murmur, "Inside, sweeting. Not here in the dust." Not for her first time, their only time.

She blushed, sent him a shy grin.

"Inside, then. Quickly, my love." She ...