A small moan of pleasure broke free from Gretchen’s chest as everything seemed to intensify all at once. Everything in her life felt more intense since she had met Freddie Prewett; before she had been mostly placid, content if not happy to remain (in her estimation) the most level-headed on her siblings and be a useful if unspectacular ornament on the vast expanse of their family tree. She would never be the brightest and best but she had thought that being respectable and having a secured place in the world would be enough.

Now all of that seemed a dull, distant nightmare that had never come to pass. Freddie Prewett had pursued her, was doing so now, above all her cousins or siblings and rather than making her feel the dutiful girl she had always been obliged to be he made her feel alive. Made her feel wanted for herself.

She slipped a hand against his chest, revelling in the strong muscles she could feel under his shirt. And he was warm. Warm like the lazy heat of sunshine coming through glass, the kind that made her feel limbless and luxurious.

“What do we do now?” She asked, lips inches from his and leaning into his every touch. Gretchen did not know what she wanted exactly but everything so far had been delicious: how could more be anything but?

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Bee is tremendous, isn't she?