It was a good first step. Now if he could only manage not to scare Laurent away again with his clumsiness.

Damen found it easier not to look him in the eyes for this part. "I was angered that anybody should touch you against your will. I told you you did not belong to them. What I should have said - what I believe - is that you belong to yourself; your body is your own, to share with whom you will."

He found the courage to glance up, though tentatively, at the man before him. "I was honored that you chose to share it with me. I would not have continued as I did if I knew you felt used because of it. I never want to make you feel that way again."

And yet - was that possible? He could no sooner deny his own passionate nature than Laurent could deny his pointed tongue and provocative nature. There was still that small part of Damen that could not help wanting to do exactly what Laurent had said - to mark him, to claim him as his own - but he pushed it down and out of his thoughts for now, as something that would send Laurent running, never to return.