Hearing Mari moan made Dumas’s passion burn even hotter.  He loved knowing that he was pleasing her.  And this was only the beginning of the enjoyment he planned on giving her.  They both deserved this, didn’t they?  A brief escape from their pain and sadness.<br/><br/>A low rumble of desire reverberated deep inside Dumas’s throat when Mari nipped his lip.  That was more feisty than he would have expected from her, but it definitely turned him on.  He’d always preferred his sex a little rough.  Maybe Mari was one of those shy, repressed girls who turned out to be a demon in bed.  As she rested her mouth against his, it took all of Dumas’s willpower to let her finish speaking before he kissed her -- like a dog that can barely wait to snatch a treat from its master’s hand.<br/><br/>But it was just as well that Dumas didn’t interrupt Mari, because her words triggered a surge of hope and joy.  She wanted him.  This happiness that he’d tasted over the last few days could be his forever.  They would take care of each other, and belong to each other, in the most intimate ways possible.  “Yes,” he swore.  “Oh god, yes!  I want you so bad it’s nearly killing me.”<br/><br/>Snatching Mari off the bed, Dumas held her tightly against his body as he spun them both in a celebratory circle.  Then he gently lowered her down onto the mattress.  Being especially careful to avoid putting too much of his weight on her, Dumas positioned himself over Mari and began kissing her again -- but this time, he wasn’t content to remain on the outside.  Using his lips to nudge her mouth open, he plunged his tongue inside, eagerly exploring this new territory.  At the same time, his hand slipped up under her T-shirt, massaging her breast and lightly tugging at her nipple.