Her skin, so much warmer than his, felt like a hot knife along sheets of ice. She melted him, cut long, smooth grooves along his very existence, and he could not stop her, even if he'd wanted to.

He let out a small gasp against her mouth at the sensation.

He slipped the straps from her gown down her shoulders and placed several kisses along her skin. She was sweat and powder, a combination of exertion and sophistication, which, he realized, was probably the perfect combination for a woman like Reinette.