His eyes locked on hers and stayed there. It seemed to him that heat built between them, burrowing deep into him like wildfire, reducing everything inside him to ash except one thought alone. He fought it, for one brief moment... He tried to restrain himself, to keep from crossing the few feet between himself and the goddess before him.... but he failed. It was too much. She was too perfect. Too beautiful.<br/><br/>Throwing aside his shirt, he made a noise in the back of his throat and went to her. Dropping to his knees beside the couch, he slid one hand gently behind her head, fingers threading through her hair, and lifted.<br/><br/>His lips were gentle as they touched hers, mindful of the horrible bruises to her face. He held back the fire of his need for her with iron-clad strength as he never thought he had. His free hand gently, carefully stroked her arm, avoiding her lacerated body with an extreme effort of will. The kiss was slow, cautious, and yet passionate. Never before had he felt anything like this.