Despite being nearly nude in his arms, Jo still felt a flash of reluctance for him to undress as well. There was a line between them — one she typically never considered. Once they crossed that line there was no easy way to uncross it, not without remaining friends at the end. Jo didn't like attachments for the same reason she despised marriage. Crossing this line with Alfred felt undoubtedly like an attachment.

But, his chest was firm against her back and his hands were warm on her skin. And he was most likely going to die. How attached could she become if he was dead?

She turned her head to look at him and smiled. "You know I'll never turn down an opportunity to see your tattoos."