Disclaimer: There are some lines in this that I borrowed from the movie. I'm making no money off them. They were used solely to move this chapter along! With that said, if you still must sue, that's fine!! LOL!

I wanted to add a little steam to this without taking away from the romance. I found when I was writing this that there is a very very fine line between romance and naughty SOM. I hope that I was able to achieve steam without taking anything from the romance.

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Ummm… I have to say PG, just cause it does get a little steamy!

Part II: Speaking from the Heart

I take another small step towards her, my eyes still locked with hers. I keep trying to start the conversation, but I'm so completely lost in her eyes that I can't think straight.

" Was, was there something you wanted to ask me?" The soft sound of her voice brings me back to reality.

I take a deep breath as I try fight back my urge to pull her into my arms, and kiss her senseless. " Maria…nothing was the same when you were away, and it will be all wrong again after you leave." My voice is soft yet firm, as I try to make her understand what I'm trying to say.

She peels her eyes from mine and turns away. " I'm sure the Baroness will make things just fine for you." Her voice is shaky, and I can tell she's fighting back tears.

" Maria, there isn't going to be any baroness."

I hear her take a deep breath as she slowly turns to face me, " There…isn't?"

I make sure that her eyes meet mine before I continue, " No. You see, we've called off our engagement." I try to say it calmly, despite the wave of nervousness that's washing over me.

I watch her continue to fight back her tears, " I'm sorry."

" Yes. I realized that it was dishonest to marry someone…" I stop myself, suddenly fearful of what her reaction might be. " When my heart belongs to someone else."

She nods slowly, a stray tear falling down her cheek. I look as deeply into her eyes as I can, and gentle wipe away the fallen tear.

I move my hand to caress her cheek and her eyes flutter closed, as she leans into my touch.

Her eyes meet mine again, and bring my other hand up to cup her face.

A shy smile begins to form on her lips, and I realize that I no longer have the will to keep fighting my need to kiss her.

I lean in slowly, my eyes still completely focused on her…

Time seems to stand still as my lips meet hers in a tender kiss.

My hands leave her cheeks and go to her back as I gently pull her too me.

I feel myself losing the will to keep the kiss from going out of control, and slowly begin to move my lips from hers.

I rest my forehead against hers, my eyes never leaving hers. " I love you." The words jump out of my mouth and I hear her sigh in… relief, contentment, happiness as I gently sweep light kisses along her forehead.

" I love you." I whisper again as I begin trailing soft kisses down the side of her face.

She leans into me, as I trail kisses down her neck. Her skin is soft and warm and she smells of Edelweiss and…strawberries.

" Oh my love." I say softly, and I realize as my lips move up to her jawline, that I could easily loose myself in the way she feels in my arms, the way she smells, the way she moans softly as she leans into my touch.

My lips find hers again, as I qucikly pull her to me and kiss her with every fiber of my being.

Letting my kiss tell her of the love I feel, speak the words I still have yet to find.

To be continued...