Dory could have chalked it up to the day's events, to how pent up and frustrated he was, to how any woman standing near naked before him would likely cause a similar situation. None of the excuses would be true, though, not in any way that mattered. To deny his attraction to her would be to deny the disappointment he felt back in February when nothing had changed with their friendship. Back when he thought something could have happened with them.

"Of course I am." Dory confessed a bit sheepishly. "I mean - you're beautiful. I've always thought that." It was true, too. Even that first meeting when they'd been battling explosives he thought she was rather pretty with her mused curls. Maple was always unapproachable though, as she was so settled in her ways of propriety and respectability.

He rubbed along his jaw again. "Nothing has to change with us. You don't - it'll subside and we can go back to chatting about mystery novels. I don't - men can be aroused without any ... erm ... I'll be fine."

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