A Very Brief Moment
Lynley wanted to show his partner a cottage he thought smugglers were using at the end of his estate, and as they walked through the woods, Barbara tripped over a root. She would have fallen if he hadn't caught her, pulling her close. He held her tightly, and after a moment, she said, "all right, sir, you can let go of me now." He tried not to meet her eyes, murmuring "I don't think so."
:"What are you doing, sir? Let go of me!"
"This is only the second time I've ever held you," he said, "let me enjoy the moment."
At that, he found himself flat on his back. She had used one of the moves she'd learned in her aikido class! "Well, I guess I didn't move faster than a tortoise," he said, with a faint grin.
"You weren't moving at all," she retorted. "it was easy to throw you," She pushed her hair back and frowned at him. "What were you trying to pull, sir? "
"It just felt good to hold you for a minute, Barbara,. No other intentions, I assure you."
As they resumed her journey towards the hill, he was sure he heard her say, "too bad," and he felt delighted to hear it.