Guarded Passions by Rosie Harris Page A

way.
    Gradually, she relaxed. Her breathing became more even and a warm glow suffused her limbs. She made no resistance as she felt his naked body cover her own.
    For a moment they lay quite still, savouring the fusion of their flesh. Trembling, she moved one hand slowly over his broad shoulders and on down to his slim waist.
    Suddenly he seized her other hand, dragging it downwards until it brushed against something hard. Firmly he wrapped her fingers around his erection and the throbbing that met her touch made her breath quicken.
    Heat surged through her, as he forced her thighs apart and his probing fingers entered her body. As his hand created a rhythm, her senses stirred and, she felt herself straining towards him. Then he was guiding her, letting her be the one to make the final commitment.
    There was a moment of searing pain when she thought the hugeness of him would rip her in two. But then the pain was gone and ripples of mounting tension made her body heave and contort, fusing with his movements until they both reached a passionate frenzy. The culminating crescendo of sweetness left her clinging to him breathlessly, trembling and exhausted.
    The storm was over, and the sun was shining again from a placid blue sky as they left the barn. Words deserted them as, hand in hand, they hurried back to Sturbury. When they reached the Guard Room at Bulpitts, they found the duty-driver waiting impatiently.
    â€˜Sorry I’m late. We got caught out by the storm and had to shelter,’ Adam told him.
    â€˜Hop in.’ The soldier ground out his cigarette and swung up into the cab.
    There was no time for any kind of farewell. Helen stood in the driveway, waving, as the truck vanished in a scattering of gravel and a cloud of dust.

Chapter 6
    The war raged on. Although most of the major cities and towns as far north as Liverpool and Humberside had been devastated, people remained undaunted. Their fight went on, their energies directed on plans to invade Europe and eventually attack Germany itself. The first foothold had already been made in Sicily and it was rumoured that the Eighth Army, under General Montgomery, planned to land at Salerno.
    Even though rationing grew tighter and an increasing number of commodities became unobtainable – except on the black market – people were still cheerful and confident that the war would soon be over.
    Most able-bodied men were now in the services and many of the younger women had volunteered, or were being called up. Everyone claimed that once the Eighth Army was established in southern Europe, the invasion of France would follow.
    Even in Sturbury, talk seemed to focus on this one topic, with everyone speculating about the possible date. Nothing else seemed to matter. Even when Helen’s exam results arrived, Dr Price managed little more than a perfunctory acknowledgement.
    â€˜At least university will keep you out of the Forces for two or three years,’ Mrs Price said with relief.
    â€˜By then this dreadful war may be over,’ Dr Price agreed gloomily.
    â€˜Until term starts you can go on helping at Bulpitts,’ Mrs Price went on. ‘Heaven knows we need every pair of hands we can find – the place is overflowing with wounded men. If casualties go on at this rate they’ll have to put up some temporary huts. It’s impossible to squeeze any more into the house, and they’ve even put some beds out in the corridors.’
    â€˜You’re working that girl too hard,’ Dr Price warned his wife, when Helen left the room. ‘She looks absolutely washed-out.’
    Mrs Price was forced to agree. She, too, had noticed the dark circles under Helen’s eyes, accentuated by the paleness of her cheeks.
    â€˜I keep telling her to take a day off and get some rest, but she’s become almost fanatical about work,’ she told her husband. ‘I don’t think she’s sleeping well; probably too exhausted to unwind when she