Asher slides up from his knees, deepening the kiss, holding on tightly to Nathaniel.

"It is not the first time she has done such a thing," he murmurs. "But I hope it will be the last." He brushes Nathaniel's hair back from his face, letting his fingers slide through the loose strands, combing them down to Nathaniel's waist.

He slides his hands under Nathaniel's shirt as he tries to think of a way to soothe Nathaniel, a way to make up for what has happened. His thumbs smooth across Nathaniel's nipples, unmarked and perfect, and he grins, slowly, into the kiss.