“I-I haven’t been — no one here touches me except m-my maid. I didn’t expect it.” Disdaining the beauty of the dress, she slipped off the bench and into his arms more fully. “I had forgotten what it feels like, having your arms around me. How safe I feel.” With a little sigh, she laid her head on his chest.
His eyes widened and immediately filled with sympathy and pity, and he cradled her right against his chest, unable to believe that they were finally here and together once more. “My arms had felt so empty until now — they were made to hold you, I think.”
She blushed hotly. “That’s the sweetest thing you have ever said to me.” She felt as though she could stay there forever, listening to his heartbeat and being held, or as if no time was passing while they sat there.