Her breath stuck in her throat when his fingers touched the side of her face, her gaze refusing to meet his just yet as she focused on what it felt like to be touched by him. That she felt something at all stunned her, and that quickening of breath, that feeling of her heart racing, all of it had her pausing as she took a step closer to him. This was what she needed.

"You could see me everyday, Char. You know that. You know Josh will move out in a heartbeat if I asked."

"Leathan, don't-" she murmured, her gaze finally lifting to his own when he forced her to do so. She took a deep breath as she took in the sight of him so close, breathed in the scent of him that she so felt slipping over her. He was intoxicating, and she could barely think when so close to him.

"It's your own choice that is keeping us from being together. Your own choice that is keeping me from helping you heal."

"But you're here," she whispered softly, and with a hand touched her fingers to his chin. Her eyes closed as she breathed, "And this is healing me.."

Slowly, tentatively, pulling back once and then twice, her mouth finally found his own.