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Niall considered this, straightening his cutlery and wiping a bead of condensation froeous and successful You--" I stopped, wishing someone would tape my mouth shut "Let’s just suh "I’ve never really, I mean I know I’m notbut I’d never describeHave you looked in a et the server to come back and you could read her the h the salads"

When he smiled at this, one diht, then?" he asked

Ah There it is "I’ the heat ofme and" I took a sip of my wine, mouth suddenly dry "I wasn’t sure all day where your head was"

"I’m not sure whereme forward, but I’m still hesitant Not because I’m not attracted to you I am--hopefully that ational skills in relationships"

"There’s only one way to learn," I told hiured out than you do Besides, your s right"

"I’ether, it wasn’t always" He trailed off, clearing his throat before starting over "With Portia, one has the sense that one does ined straight blond hair pulled tight, pinched features, and a constantly sour expression A husband who felt he could never do anything right "Well, her naave e this "We found a rhythm in day-to-day life, I suppose It was quiet, but it was predictable" He took another sip of wine "But with you, when everything feels so intense and overwhelwhen I’ it all, and floundering"

God, he was so adorably stuffy I could hardly stand it I’d seen glihta selfie in front of Radio City, talking about his niece--he just needed to loosen up a bit "I think it’s best between us e both don’t overthink it When it’s just us hanging out, it’s been really good"

"Agreed Yetwith matters of intimacy, I’ to put it plainly

He shook his head athisand beyond that We didn’t have sex last night, but it was one of thethat a bit"

I heldslowly So he did understand how different last night was, how much deeper it went than a quick tu his wineglass "You’ll find," he began carefully, "that much of thisup front what a relationship will be, or hoill proceed But for ether, and then ere After that, she and I were more likely to discuss the weather than emotion As far as sexto discuss that was unheard-of So thee did last night--and yet we haven’t really kissed or even touchedit’s a bit of a revelation for ood one?" I asked, not able to hideslowly "I enjoy your coht way" He paused,my eyes "We’ve been quite inti each other"

I nodded, sing a heavy lue came over me, because I felt like I did know him But upon reflection, it was true; he didn’t know me yet "We can take a few steps back Learn about each other"

Shaking his head, he murmured, "That’s just it I’m not sure I want to move backward, or that I need to Why do I need to know everything about you before we enjoy each other physically? I like you Isn’t that enough?"

I shrugged, feeling h it all "It is for me It doesn’t have to be for you"

"I want it to be There is a unique freedo into my wine, I asked, "Yeah?"

"Youand fun"

"Fun?" I repeated, with feigned shock "Mr Stella, you h was deep and war a shiver across the surface of s I don’t consider gentle, or chaste or very proper"

"Like what?"

He blinked up, met ive ree"