*Anders*
Gods. That was the sexiest thing I have ever experienced, and I didn’t even touch her. She’s leaned back against me as I hold her up, and I’ll hold her forever if I get to watch that again. Her breathing starts to slow, and she feels so relaxed now. I take a chance and lean forward, placing a kiss on her cheek.
“You called me your beloved,” she says softly.
“Because you are,” I tell her.
She sighs. “I’m trying,” she says, her voice so quiet that I almost don’t hear her.
“I know you are,” I try to reassure her. I help her stand on her own and release her so I can turn her around toward me. I straighten her dress and try my best to get her put back together, but the redness in her cheeks remains. “I want you to be happy, Eleanor. I know how difficult this has been
