Penny had not been annoyed because she too, longed for more than just his embrace. But she had been hurt and Jeremy had known it.

"Look, baby" he tried to explain. "Please don't start thinking that I don't respect you anymore, or that I'm just out for some fun, or any damn fool thing like that. I'm serious about you —more serious than I have ever been in my life about any woman. I love you and I want you like hell. It's natural.. Just nature, that's all. Do you understand?"

Yes, Penny had understood, but she had withdrawn from his embrace, afraid that his ardour would over rule her...