Red stalked the hall, rounding the corner into the ballroom, searching for Elizabeth.
Among the myriad of people crowding the opulent area, he finally located her over by the bar and sure enough, just as Francis had said... that bastard Edward was clearly making his move.
The little weasel overtly moved closer, pushing Francis aside without seeming to do so, totally disregarding a patiently watching guard, who smirked openly at some remark Elizabeth had made concerning Edward's advances.
Reddington pushed back a primal urge to stalk over and slice the man's throat from ear to ear.
His confrontation with Francis was bad enough but seeing the scene unfolding before him now, his anger reached a boiling point.
And for so many other fucking reasons.
He was sick and tired of this shit!
Enough!
"Look man, she's not interested." Francis snapped. "What the fuck aren't you understanding."
"I haven't heard her say anything, actually." Edward countered. "Since you won't shut the fuck up and mind your own business long enough for her to do so."
"I'm not interested." Liz sighed her annoyance. "Besides, I know you are well aware that I am in a relationship." she held up her finger in proof. "I am perfectly happ–"
"Are you sure he still wants you?" the weasel of a man questioned, moving closer. "I mean, I don't see him coming out to defend his property."
Red's eyes blackened, focusing on his target as he reached out, snagging Francis' collar, yanking the young man out of his way.
"What the fu..." Francis bitched, stumbling back, only to be caught in the sure hands of a chuckling Silas.
"Look who showed up." Silas mumbled, steadying Francis on his feet. "I guess he does want her..."
Francis pulled at his collar, loosening his tie, watching the show begin.
"That remains to be seen." he muttered tightly.
Silas glanced over at Francis. "We have front row seats." He was so excited to see the master at work... finally.
"I'm here, asshole." Red forced himself between Elizabeth and Edward, his bulk moving the other man to arm's length.
"I thought I made it perfectly clear last time we spoke, all that was required of you." Red stepped into the man's space, forcing Edward back yet another step. "I see I wasn't clear enough."
He jabbed his fingers into the man's chest, shoving him back. "You are not to speak to Elizabeth." he grasped the front of the man's shirt, jerking him forward. Red's face, inches from the other man's.
"Don't look at her... don't come near her... don't even fucking think about her." Red gritted, his thumb suddenly pushing in on Edward's windpipe, focused intently on the quickly bulging veins of the man's neck which was now in his grasp.
"...If you so much as breath in her general vicinity," Red tilted his head, his eyes void of any real emotion, as was his tone which somehow made it more chilling, "...I will kill you."
The silence was brittle.
"Do you fucking understand me, now?" it was pleasantly enquired.
Edward glanced over the broad shoulders, his eyes falling on Elizabeth Keen, a small smirk playing about the thin line of his mouth... openly defying such a threat.
Red's nostrils flared at the blatant brush off, his blood surging through his body drowning out the sounds of reason.
"You fucking prick." Red grated a snarl.
The enraged man landed a series of vicious punches to the younger man's face, one such blow fracturing the bones inside the other man's nose. A horrendous gush of blood covered Edward's mouth and chin, dripping down the front of the man's pristine shirt.
"Red!" Liz gasped, mortified.
Red's foot swept out swiftly, knocking Edward to the tile floor. He crouched over the bastard, his face enraged, his arm drawn back for yet another series of assaults.
Edward feebly fought back with a intended right hook, which was blocked easily by Red who had clear advantage.
Red stared murderously down, increasing the tightness of his grip on the front of Edwards's clothing. He shifted his weight hard, his knee sinking into his victims chest.
Edward gasped for air, but Red's hand tightened systematically around the fucker's throat.
Red's expression was totally without emotion.
"Silas, do something!" Liz winced, as the vicious beating continued.
"I am." Silas replied lazily. "I'm staying out of it, and so are you." he reached out, snagging her arm, dragging her out of harm's way, sensing the direction the slight debate would take.
Having wiggled his way to the wall, Edward put his foot against it, flipping both men to their sides. He struggled to overcome his opponent, but Red had worked his leg up against the man's chest.
One strategic shove, containing all Red's brute strength, sent the other man crashing backwards, careening into the hardwood bar.
The crowd gathered around them, having come to watch the spectacle unfold, cheering loudly now.
Francis noted the guy next to him was taking bets right and left, cash in hand, jotting names and numbers into a slender notebook.
Silas grappled for the young man's attention. Francis pulled it momentarily away from the confrontation. The guard was waving a hundred dollar bill, wanting his own wager recorded for posterity.
But Francis was in no mood, waving the money aside.
"Take this you little asshole." Silas warned. "Or we'll be the next one they're betting on."
Francis sighed heavily, absently obeying.
Liz watched her surroundings, slightly shell shocked. Silas kept the crowd at bay, so she still had an excellent view of the horrible thing taking place before her.
She was jostled unceremoniously, having tried to forge her way forward a bit.
"Get your ass over here, dammit." Silas pulled her back into his embrace, his burly arms protecting her on all sides. "Isn't this cool." it was the first time the woman had ever seen the man so animated.
Red regained his dominant position, delivering several punishing blows to Edward's lower stomach.
"Let me go..." she struggled against Silas' firm hold.
"Hey, the boss needs to work off some frustration." the tall man winced as Red rammed Edward's head into the wall. "A lot of frustration." he clarified. "Besides, the little prick deserves it and more."
Liz flinched as Red threw Edward towards a nearby table. The younger man spun around, grabbing a glass.
She opened her mouth to warn Red but a large palm silenced her. She tried biting the hand but Silas shook off the effort, laughing gaily.
"Behave, you little minx." the guards attention to the center ring.
The stocky man hurled the tumbler at Red, but Reddington jerked his head slightly to the left, avoiding the projectile.
"Do not distract him." Silas warned, scolding the woman. "Red does not need your help."
"What the hell is wrong with you!" she gaped. "I meant you, you idiot!"
Silas grabbed her, quickly dragging her out of the way of several men who came tumbling toward them, having unfortunately been caught as a byproduct of the fight.
"He doesn't need my help either." Silas seemed a trifle upset by the fact, clearly wishing to join in the melee. "I think he would prefer I stay the hell out of it." he tsked his disappointment.
"You're a bodyguard!"
"Your bodyguard." he reminded. "Not his... per se." he rolled his eyes with great exaggeration when the woman turned the full force of the precious pout upon him directly. "He's defending your honor, you numb skull."
He would have laughed in her face, if it hadn't been for that pout. For anyone to be concerned over Red Reddington in a fight was beyond ludicrous.
"You look like a confused puppy." His smile faded quickly enough as he noted four men entering the bar. Silas zeroed in on them, his Spidey senses tingling.
Silas' hand went to his weapon just as the new arrivals reached for theirs. The tall man leading the way held up a stilling hand, his interest clearly caught by the identity of the participants of the ruckus.
Elizabeth was taken aback by the difference in her guard. The fun loving, carefree, flippant personage of a second ago, had been replaced by a coldly calculating individual that she had never met before.
Silas glanced back and forth between both sides, hyper vigilant, ready should his services be required.
"It's Anthony." Francis sidled up beside them, explaining the situation as it now stood. "It's his hotel."
Silas half nodded, checking the whereabouts of his charge.
Liz was meandering her way through the crowd, pushing and shoving into a spot that she could maneuver to the front.
"That little ingrate..." Silas gritted, bolting forward with Francis right beside him. "Who ever gets her first, takes her out and spanks her ass hard!" the man growled angrily. "And not in a good way."
The woman pushed hard at the gathered crowd, breaking through to the front just as Red stalked towards the other man, drawing back his fist yet again.
Edward Costa looked as if he had been through hell. His clothes were ripped and bloodied as was his face and hands. He was bruised and clearly broken in more places than one.
Liz stepped between the men, her face allowing her fear, her eyes pleading for some semblance of sanity to prevail.
Edward took the opportunity presented since Red's focus was now elsewhere. He looked around for any weapon available, finding it instantly, turned on its side, laying there just begging to be used.
He hefted the metal seat, his intentions more than apparent. Never mind that Elizabeth was between himself and his former assailant.
Silas' hand gripped the leg of the barstool that Edward was just about to smash into Reddington.
Red saw the danger immediately, choosing to bring the woman into his arms, turning hastily to protect her from any harm.
He shielded her, his arms bands of steel. He waited for the impact which never came.
He had not seen Silas' intervention.
Silas' large hand engulfed Edward's face, shoving hard. The force landed the smaller man clear across the length of the dance floor.
Silas grinned as loud booing and hissing was directed his way. He had after all, broken up a perfectly good fight. The guard held his hands up apologetically, his grin firmly in place.
Red slowly turned his head, then lifted his body, bringing the woman along with him.
He straightened, searching for the little prick who had been the focus of his murderous rage.
Red watched as the 'prick' was unceremoniously escorted from the area by the Security detail of the hotel in which they resided.
He nodded his gratitude to the man Francis had earlier identified as Anthony Burke, owner of the establishment. Tony grinned back at him sheepishly.
Red turned his attention to a very anxiously awaiting, Elizabeth Keen.
"Are you all right?" she measured his physique critically, zeroing in on his bloodied knuckles. The only marks she could visibly see at the moment, was the blood of the other man on Red's clothes and a slight bruise forming to the left of his chin.
"Oh, he's fine, as usual." Francis finished off his tumbler, letting the empty glass thump heavily into the bar. "He always lands on his feet. Everyone knows that."
"Why don't you go fuck yourself." Red returned in kind and for a moment, Francis' face lost it's belligerent glaze, but soon enough it was back.
"If anyone would know about fucking... it would be you, right Red."
Silas was completely perplexed by the change in the men's' attitude.
Red shifted his own dark gaze, finding Dembe staring at him with furled brows. He waved aside any unasked questions with a curt motion of his hand.
"Get the hell out of my sight, Francis." Red gripped the corner of the wall so tightly, his fingers turned white.
"Red!" Liz had never heard Red speak to Francis in such a manner.
Francis glanced at the woman, feeling for her. She was in the middle of something she could not possibly understand. He thought to make it better for her by easing some of the tension, if only for appearances sake.
"Let's keep this somewhat civil, shall we." Francis directed his statement to the older man. "We have to work together remember."
Reddington lifted a cold stare. "No, we don't." he cut a meaningful look in Silas' direction.
The guard could not believe what was being asked of him... asked hell, demanded.
Francis smiled wanly in encouragement to Elizabeth before Silas directed him away from the immediate vicinity.
Elizabeth was completely lost. She watched the young man literally being escorted by her own bodyguard, her friend and confidant suddenly persona non grata, apparently.
What the hell was going on?
She turned expectant eyes to a patiently waiting Red Reddington.
"We have a problem." Red bleakly announced. "Well, two problems, really." he conceded.
"When are you going to share this with me?" she asked plaintively, reaching out to touch the slight bruising on his face but his hand prevented the move.
She slowly dropped her arm, a chill traversing her body. He had never denied her access to any of his person before.
"Red, what's wrong." she had to know.
"Francis hits like a girl." he muttered his annoyance before turning his attention to the real problem.
"Francis hit you?" she was stunned.
"Yes, but more importantly, he thinks I'm fucking around on you."
The woman took a few moments to digest that statement. "Okay, why?"
Red hated to have to do this, but his former colleague had left him no choice. Either he told the story or Francis would. It was infinitely better coming from the source.
"When I was away with Francis on a business trip," he began slowly, "I reacquainted myself with an old lover and when I wasn't with Francis, I was with her."
Liz closed her eyes, making the connection. "And we've supposedly been together for over a year." her head whipped around aimlessly. "Is she here?" she squeaked her dismay.
"She was here." the man admitted. "She left."
She waited with bated breath.
"An associate kissed me and Francis saw evidence of it, tonight." he furthered the sordid tale.
"Oh." she was a little deflated. "So he knows about this lover and now this woman tonight."
"Yes." he verified. "When I asked if he was interested in you..."
"You asked what?!" her tone was particularly shrill at this latest development.
Red held up a silencing hand, "He thought I asked because I wanted him to cover my tracks. He's understandably pissed, in your defense."
She was touched that Francis was such a good friend, even going up against Red for her. She gathered her thoughts, one most prevalent coming to mind.
"Did you have sex with her?"
"No..."
"But you were going to?" she needed confirmation.
"Yes." he answered quietly.
He saw it coming, allowing it to take shape, taking the full brunt of her hand as it connected to the same cheek where Francis had hit him earlier.
Liz gasped her shock, having no idea why she had done such a thing.
He turned back, his eyes devoid of any emotion.
"I-I don't know why I–" she was flabbergasted. Stumbling through her churning emotions, attempting to find a logical explanation. "Oh my God!" her eyes grew wide as the stain of her hand print reddened his cheek. "I am so sorry."
The words sounded to hollow and nonsensical to her. This entire night had been one big cluster fuck in her opinion, and she had just made it so much worse.
Why in God's name would she do such a thing? "Red, I am so very, very sorry. I don't know why I did that. I just don't." her hands covered her mouth, her fingers tremulous.
"It's all right, you hit like a girl too." he turned serious for her stricken face, touched his heart. "I've put you in a hell of a predicament?" he acknowledged.
Liz was still reeling, trying to figure out exactly what was going on here. She had no right to feel the feelings that his story evoked inside her.
Was she jealous again. Because if she were honest with herself, she had felt that particular emotion after their encounter with Lexa.
She had been thinking about it and that was the only answer that made any sense. And now, her actions tonight.
They weren't dating. They weren't engaged. But... she had about kissed him yesterday.
She had wanted to kiss him. She could freely admit that.
To think of him having been with this other woman tonight, touching that woman how she wanted Red to touch...
Her cheeks flamed and she turned away so the man could not see her conflicting emotions.
"I know that we're here, playing roles. But I should remembered that they don't know that." He explained as best he could. "And for that, I do apologize. I didn't mean to embarrass you."
She glanced around the quiet enough bar now, watching the staff put things to right. She did not know exactly what to say or do, so she allowed the man to continue without interruption.
"You are my main priority and that I let my libido get the better of me..." he growled, angry with himself. "I let my judgement get away from me and I have probably fucked up a good relationship between us all because I–"
"We can fix this." she hastily interceded, sensing where he was going. "Just let me handle this my way, I have an idea." she advised quietly. "I am more concerned at the moment, for this thing between you and Francis."
"I don't give a shit about Francis." he snapped. "I understand his alliance to you, hell I even commend it... but there is a line, and he crossed it."
"You're just angry right now." she suddenly saw the humor of the situation. "You know what I think is really bothering you?" she leaned closer, lowering her voice and Red could smell that scent he had been thinking about all afternoon. "I think that Red Reddington has found out... that he is human after all."
She turned thoughtful for a moment, remembering her own humanity. "We all have our little frailties, Red. Myself included."
Red's brow furrowed slightly, impressed with her maturity.
"You have needs, you're a man." she lifted knowledgeable brows. "God knows you're a man. A very attractive one that women flock to. It would be unnatural if you did not... respond occasionally."
"This is just a little hitch in our plans that can be rectified." she touched his lapel tentatively. "Will you trust me to do that?"
Red looked at her in a different light. He had expected something entirely different, more than pleasantly surprised at how she was handling the situation.
A situation entirely of his making.
"I jeopardized what we've built and I'm very angry and disappointed in myself."
"We all make mistakes once in a while, even you." she smiled up at him. "You just needed to blow off some steam and as you said, it's perfectly natural. A biological imperative."
"Need or not, I promise it will not happen again." the man never lied... to her. "I truly didn't mean for it to happen, Elizabeth."
She about laughed out right, but caught herself, when she realized how serious he was.
"It was a huge mistake. She wasn't what I wanted." he got lost in the narrative. "I wanted y–"
"They're headed this way." she whispered urgently, putting on an innocent face.
The man's head fell back, the frustration apparent on his face. God, he had been so close.
Mark and Francis approached somewhat warily, unsure if they would be welcomed at this stage.
Francis watched Red's face religiously, hoping for a chance to catch the man's eye.
He and Silas had a long talk on the merits of loyalty and misunderstandings.
It was Silas' considered opinion, an opinion Francis valued regardless of how their relationship seemed on the surface... that the young man had acted hastily in his judgement where Red was concerned.
Besides the fact, that Reddington was the father figure that Francis had never had, when Red had said what he had said before, about their business association being terminated... Francis had totally been thrown a loop.
It was the very last thing he had expected or wanted.
He did not know how to get back into the older man's good graces, but he did know, he was damn well going to try.
"We're meeting within the hour." Mark stated without preamble.
"We're bidding on Anne's holdings, apparently." Francis explained. "Via the terms of her Will."
"Where?" Red's tone was short.
Mark's brow crinkled at the man's clipped tone, but he pointed across the way to a Conference Room.
Mark and Francis, having delivered the needed info, took their leave. Both sensed there was something left unsaid, which needed to be continued, between Liz and Red.
Francis nodded his farewell, regretful an opening had not arisen to make amends.
Liz called out after his retreating figure. "Francis, wait."
He halted his steps, glancing at Red expectantly.
The man looked away. Not a good sign.
"Red told me what happened and while I'm not happy about it..." Liz scolded the individual in question with a look. "I do understand it."
"Excuse me?" Francis immediately questioned, then caught his reaction, regretting it.
"When you went on that trip?" Francis nodded slowly, letting her know he was following along. "Red and I had an argument, well, fight actually. We didn't speak to each other..." she checked with the man who brooded silently beside her, "for what, a couple of weeks?"
Red lowered his eyes, not sure he wanted to be a part of this.
Francis kept his opinion to himself this time.
"It's no excuse, I know." Liz placated hurrying on with her story. "But to be honest, I had..." she managed a guilty look, "I mean...when Red was gone..."
Red snapped his head around sharply, feeling an instant flare of anger.
This was handling it her own way! he seethed inwardly. Where the hell was she going with this?
Francis blanched visibly, thinking he knew where this was going.
Red stepped closer to the woman, his gaze fixed and heated. "What the hell are you saying?"
Liz thought he was playing his part very well. So well in fact, she backed away slightly from such intensity.
"I-I think it's evident." she thought an addendum was needed however. "You can do it, but I can't?" she asked innocently.
Red's rage erupted incandescently. He knew she was playing the part expected or at least she had damned well better be. He knew it was damned hypocritical, given he had been with Lexa.
But it didn't negate the fact that he felt... an outrage so deep, it was coloring his perspective completely.
Had somebody touched her? Had someone fucked her? How the hell would he have not known?
She better be playing a part.
He grasped her arm tightly. "Who?" he demanded gruffly.
"It doesn't matter." she waved it off nonchalantly, mentally preparing the next phase of her agenda.
"Who, dammit!" Red growled out, hissing venomously.
"Red you're hurting her." Francis gripped his arm slightly as a deterrent.
"Fuck off, Francis!" Red clenched his jaw tightly, jerking away from the hold. He glared down at the unsuspecting woman. "Elizabeth..." he warned furiously.
The woman certainly thought he was playing the part well. This guy could be an actor if he wanted, a damned good one. She wanted to match his intensity, hanging her head shamefully as she blurted the first name to come to mind.
"...Donald."
"You fucked Donald!" Red snapped his disbelief.
Francis closed his eyes wearily, feeling for both parties.
Red turned away, leaning his arm unto a convenient wall, trying desperately to calm himself.
How the hell could she fuck Ressler! Of all damned people!
Red tried to wrap his mind around such a concept and then he remembered... this was an act, then why he wondered... did it feel so damned real?
Why did it hurt so much?
She was lying, she had to be. He had to get his head straight... she was just making up a story to sell the relationship.
That's all this was.
"Maybe I misunderstood everything tonight." Francis tried to mend fences for all concerned. "If you've forgiven him, who the hell am I to make waves?"
"He wouldn't push me to resume relations because of my incident and I thought maybe he had turned off to me." Liz used her profiling skills to her advantage. "He saw me at my worst." she grimaced. "We had some major mis-communication going on."
"So, you forgive him?" Francis was more than relieved.
"I forgive him, but that doesn't mean we're done talking." Liz stressed.
"All right then. Well... I'll leave you to talk." Francis leaned in, kissing her temple, hugging her gently. "Red... maybe we can talk later, too?"
He didn't receive an answer, but he thought that the woman could get Red in a better mood. Female persuasion and all that.
When Francis was a good length away, Liz blew out a relieved breath.
"Well, that was stressful." she laughed shortly, pushing off the wall she had leaned against, only to be dragged back to her original spot by a well placed hand against her chest. "Wha–"
"Did you?" Red's tone was barely civil.
"What the hell are you–" she pushed at the contact, his palm burning her skin beneath the elegant gown she sported.
"Did you!" Red hissed angrily.
Red knew he was being completely unreasonable. What the fuck was his problem... why couldn't he get the images out of his head of the woman and Donald Ressler intertwined in some ungodly, erotic scene.
"Lower your voice dammit!" she snapped irritably. "Francis will think–"
"Fuck Francis!" his eyes blazed irately. "Or maybe... you already have."
"Excuse the hell out of me!" she was more than incensed at such a ridiculous accusation.
"Is that why Francis hung around so much?" He spat the allegation.
"Red Reddington, I'm about to smack you again!" Liz was beside herself, not understanding his passionate outburst. "What the hell are you talking about!"
Red stared down at the woman glowering up at him, his own eyes pinpoints of suppressed torment. He could not stand this a moment longer.
"Fuck it!"
This thing between them... a turning point had just been reached, at least to his way of thinking and this shit needed to be settled.
He was unintentionally hurting her, in so many ways.
He was hurting.
She might not admit that something significant was happening between them. But that did not negate the fact, that it was.
He needed something concrete, dammit! Some sort of sign, that she needed him as much as he needed her. That she fucking wanted him as much as he did her.
He would give her time to acclimate herself. To become comfortable with him... he could be patient, if she was his end goal.
If she would just open herself to the possibilities, to allowing him to love her... he could wait.
He just needed... something.
And he needed it...now.
He was tired of waiting, he was tired of this cat and mouse game.
But Elizabeth was reaching her end game too.
She pushed hard at his chest, sliding away from his bulk, only to be caught by a firm hand pulling her back under his influence.
"Do you want to be with Tom?" Red locked his arm low around her back, holding the combative woman in place, until she eased her struggles to get away from him.
"What?" she shook her head in confusion.
"Do you love Tom." he stressed the words.
"No!" she scowled her confusion.
The man stared at her silently, jerking his head in a curt nod, furthering her confusion.
"I don't love To–" she began, only to be silenced by the firm press of his lips against hers.
Carding his fingers through her hair, Red cupped the back of Liz's head angling her slightly, capturing more of her pouty lips against his own demanding ones.
Without thought, she found herself tip-toeing, leaning against his solid frame, increasing the pressure of their kiss.
Oh my God... she was kissing Red and it felt... right.
Who the hell was she kidding? It felt... perfect.
His lips were so soft, so warm, gentle but experienced. She mewled softly as his large hand spanned the width of her back, drawing her even closer into his warmth.
Sighing in contentment, Liz caught the subtle scent of his cologne as it engulfed her, making her feel as though the only safe place in the entire Universe, was right here... enfolded in his arms.
She exhaled shakily, inching closer into his embrace, obviously pleasing the man. She'd never heard Red issue that low gravelly sound before. She found that she liked it and very much wanted to hear him do it again.
It made her tummy flutter chaotically.
She inched her hand up his chest, her fingers clawing at his collar, in a bid to gain more connectivity with the large man.
His manner had softened with her compliance, the kisses becoming more sensuous in nature. His lips conformed to her's erotically, the tip of his tongue flicking gently against her own from time to time.
Her senses reeled, a gnawing hunger growing inside her. She felt a definite dampness moisten the heat between her legs.
Red had never felt anything as wonderful as what he was feeling. Elizabeth... finally in his arms.
He wrapped her tighter in his hold, drawing her closer, feeling the soft feminine curves of her body meet his more masculine solidity.
Her firm breasts pressed into his hard chest as his hand slid down, settling along the curve of her hip, his fingers reaching for the swell of her rounded bottom. He curled the appendages into the fullness of her buttocks, spreading them slowly outward.
The woman moved up against his ever hardening arousal, encouraging such familiarity.
Her waist was so small in comparison to the circumference of his hand.
He felt his blood heat as it coursed through his veins.
Just this simple touch of lips, the feel of her body against his... and he felt the change.
This was what he needed. That glimmer of hope.
She was not only kissing him back, she seemed to be enjoying it as much as he.
It was almost as if she had needed his embrace, his touch. As much as he had needed to touch. He was experienced enough to sense that need went deeper for the woman.
Her hands clung to him wantonly, her lips hungrily devoured his mouth.
He had no problem with returning such emotions. Even though he was fully aware of the public display they must be making of themselves. But they could just go fuck themselves.
Just as much as he had felt her need for him, he felt his for her, grow exponentially.
A fierce protectiveness flooded his system like never before.
He needed to shelter her little body safely with the bulk of his own as he made love to her. He needed to crawl between her beautiful thighs and stake his claim. He wanted to flood her body with his arousal, which grew even now, to unbelievable proportions.
He allowed her to feel his involvement.
To love her... like she needed, like he wanted, suddenly felt within reach. It was so close, he could almost taste it, just as soon... he would be tasting the essence of her.
The thought made his mouth water.
Elizabeth was his, whether she knew it or not.
Now, it was just a matter of time, before he made her understand it, completely.