And if they do touch it is accidental, or it’s a hug to comfort her or say good-bye or move the hair from her eyes—he never dares ask for more. Once it occurred to him that she was not ready, that she was not used to thinking of her body as hers, he made a point to not extend even the slightest touch that might cause her sadness or guilt later. She had had years of being told that there would be nothing more shameful than to follow the desires of the body, that any impulse was the devil’s temptation. She would have to decide what she believed for herself, what she wanted for herself. He would
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