Do you love me, Marcello ?" His eyes looked tired a moment ago, even when he laughed, but the light came into them now.

He breathed a little faster and bent forward to kiss her.

She could feel the rising pulse in his thin hands.

But she leaned back as she knelt, and pressed her lips together tightly.
"Not that," she said, after they had both been motionless ten seconds.
"I don't mean that! Love is not all kisses.

There is more.