The last hook's release saw Dory carefully removing the corset from her and placing it on the table besides them. Ladies' garments were insanely expensive, were they not? He'd hate to further ruin her day by damaging what looked to be a beautiful corset. (More importantly, damaging it might have meant never seeing it again — not that he thought he would, of course.)

Without a continued cause to remain so near her, Dory took a respectable step back and drew his eyes back up to her face. The fireplace couldn't have warmed the flat up to this degree, not when he barely kept it stocked in the summer months. No, it was his growing attraction to her and the events of the night that had his blood so hot. It was the look on her face when she finally spoke.

Any other night, Dory wouldn't have hesitated to close the distance between them and kiss her. Any other night, she would have already been carried into his bedroom without another word. But, Maple had cried when she entered his flat earlier and had nearly died. Dory must certainly couldn't destroy their friendship by taking advantage of her vulnerability. "Right - yeah." He agreed with a nervous shake of his head. "Of course. Yeah, you can change in my bedroom. I'll uh - I'll be here."

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