[her hand at the nape of his neck sends another shiver down his spine, and his arm curls slowly, almost possessively, around her waist. he can feel the warmth of her body underneath the nightgown, and something-- something about that sends his heart racing against his ribs]

[he's distracted when she pulls back, eyes dark and hazy, expression slack like he wasn't quite prepared for her to go. but before he can protest. . . she takes her hand in his own and tugs him towards the bed]

[and all Mars can do-- all he wants to do-- is follow]