"More than I would have cared to admit," he assures her. He's flushing too, in part in being so transparent and in part because those fantasies hardly stopped at kissing, but his desire to show her the wantedness she has not experienced is larger than his pride.

He squeezes her hand as he tips his lips to hers again, guiding her hand up to his shoulder. His own hold shifts more solidly around her, gingerly letting their bodies press closer to flush.