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Redeeming-Love-By-Francine-Rivers

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F R A N C I N E R I V E R S

want to know what love feels like to me? It feels like you’re ripping my heart

out.”

His eyes flashed. “It started feeling that way when you left. Not when you

were with me.” She tried to move past him, and he blocked her way. “I saw

the way you started looking at me, Amanda. I felt the way you responded

that last night. I felt it all the way through me.”

“And it gave you a sense of power, didn’t it? Didn’t it?”

“Yes!” he admitted roughly and caught her arm when she would have

retreated to the back door. “But it’s not a power I’m going to use against

you.”

“You’re right,” she said, trying to tug free. “I’m not going to give you the

chance!”

He yanked the bag from her hand and sent it bouncing off the back wall.

“I’m not your father! I’m not Duke! I’m not some gent paying for half an

hour in your bed!” His hands tightened on her arms. “I’m your husband! I

don’t take what you feel lightly. I love you. You’re my wife!”

Biting her lip, Angel forced the tears back.

Michael gentled. He cupped her face so she couldn’t look away from him

and saw her heartbreaking struggle against her emotions. Emotion had

always been her enemy. She couldn’t allow herself to feel if she were going to

survive. He understood that, but he had to make her see that it wasn’t an

enemy anymore.

“Amanda, I knew the day I saw you that you belonged with me.”

“Do you know how many times men have said that to me?” she said,

wanting to drive him away.

He went on doggedly as though her words hadn’t stabbed at him. “I’ve

loved watching you grow and change. You’re never the same. I love the way

you take on new things, your drive to learn. I love how you work, how you

have this little-girl look on your face when you finish something you’ve

never tried before. I love watching you skip across the meadow with Ruth. I

love seeing you laugh with Miriam and hang on Elizabeth’s wisdom. I love

the whole idea of growing old with you and waking up to you every morning

for the rest of my life.”

“Don’t,” she whispered brokenly.

307

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