To Explain

      "Mace, really," Ilona mumbled, "We don't have to talk about it.  I'm sorry I... If I..."

      "You're sorry?" Mason looked at her in surprise, "Ilona, what on earth are you sorry for?"

      Ilona bit her lip and dropped her gaze.  Mason saw her eyes were filled with tears and dangerously close to spilling over.  A breeze blew a few of her curls across her face, and she quickly pushed them away again.

      "I... I don't know," she whispered, "Whatever I did... Whatever it was about me that made you so... so disgusted..."

      Mason moved quickly then, not able to stand it any longer.  He pulled her face to his and kissed her deeply, holding her there until he had to stop so they could breathe.  He broke their kiss but didn't let go of her, resting his forehead against hers and feeling the warmth of her skin.