The wet heat is doing a lot to soothe the bruised muscle around the bite. That and the weight of his hand, and the care in his touch.

He really doesn't know.

How does she answer that question? For standing your ground? For trusting me? For bringing me into your life and for sharing this with me? No, none of that contains the full measure of her gratitude.

"For being you," she answers quietly. She trusts his nose will smell the rest.