((She's adorable!))<br/><br/>Lord Vance moaned softly as Alice massaged his shoulders and the muscles between them and his neck. The tension there slowly released in her warm hands. But it was not enough.<br/><br/>"Dig deeper," he commanded. "Don't worry, you will not hurt me. Act as if you were trying to."<br/><br/>No doubt the girl had become distracted. Typical. But Lord Vance could hardly blame her if he stopped and thought about it. She was massaging the strong muscles of a nobleman who had slain hundreds of men in battle. Surely she had reason to be afraid, and reason to direct her thoughts elsewhere.<br/><br/>Though, by the rhythm of her breathing and the sound of her pulse, Lord Vance could tell she'd not managed to distract herself with happy memories. "Tell me what troubles you," he said. "Come on. Out with it!"