"I'll be there," he promises. He has every intention of being there for her, of showing her the ropes, watching her discover all the little things, scents and tastes and how good it feels to run.

Focusing on those things, it's almost easy to ignore his fears. Almost.

Almost delicately, he nibbles up her throat, knowing she isn't distracted enough to do much more than that. But that's what the nibbling is for.