i 'm sorry it 's taken me so long to get back to you . '' his mouth returned to mine and my hand came around his neck , holding him there so he would n't take it away . what can these priests be thinking ? he gently knocked again , and lost in desperation i nearly opened the door . he brushes a thumb across my cheek , pausing for a long moment before lifting me into his arms . `` you want the whole town to know , do n't you ? '' 