She shivered and he trembled. Again, she succeeded in controlling him with only the slightest of touches.

And for all that his mind couldn't figure out when to move or stay, he did know that now was the time that she should be kissed. She moved towards him, and he caught her kiss easily. Deeply. Unlike their every kiss before, to him at least, this was the first that was borne out of a long period of waiting. Out of longing. Reinette lived her life with it, he only just learned.

He held her close as they kissed, memorized the feel of her, even with the bruises and the sweat and the pain between them, she was still so wonderful. So warm and perfect and loving and Reinette and he didn't want anything else.