He said nothing and again Torie worried she'd ruined it. As caught up in the moment as she was, Torie knew what she was doing, what she was asking for and as he lifted her from the crate as if she weighed little more than a pillow, she instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck. She could still feel the dull throbbing in her ankle, but it was nothing compared to the ache sitting in the pit of her stomach.

As he gently set her down on the carpet before the fireplace, the flush returned to her cheeks full force when he joined her, realizing what was happening. Had she thought to grab her wand, she may have been able to transfigure something to make it more comfortable, but the afterthought hardly mattered. Her breathing had slowed, though she could still feel the flush and the rush across her body, especially where their skin had met.

She pouted slightly as he tugged her dress down, but tried not to think too much of it. Rolling onto her side to face him a little better and to scoot closer, she laid her head on one arm, looking up at him with that same heavy-lidded desire from a moment ago. Gingerly she reached out with her free hand, starting on his arm and running it up until she reached his handsome face once more. The urge to say something sat on the tip of her tongue, but she had no idea what to say or if it would ruin the moment and so the part of her lips fell silent as she took in the tousle of his hair and the expression on his face. She was being unfair to him and she knew it, but she never thought she'd have this chance again.

All she could hear was the storm outside and the fireplace behind her, both feeding the energy she felt within; all she could think about was him. Slowly she leaned in, kissing his jaw, then his cheek, before planting a whisper-soft kiss against his lips.