He laughed against her throat, a low rumble against the teeth drawing gentle lines down her neck, when he heard the sound of a sandal hitting the ground. And the laughter that he heard from side when the second soon followed sent his head rushing, delirious over having somehow caused that, laughter and happiness in this woman who had constantly stayed by his side and never complained. It wasn't the only thing which fueled heated skin— it couldn't have been, for both passion and loyalty were necessary— but it sent his heart aching in a slow burn as he continued stepping back, free hand drawing lines down her spine.

"Took the words right outta my mouth," he murmured.

Calves hitting the side of his bed, he laughed again, whirling the both of them around and holding her waist close to his own as he laid her down on the mattress. Hands newly freed, he shrugged off his shirt, letting it fall to the ground before resting his palm on the side of her thigh. Capturing her lips again, he continued to kiss in time with the hand which carefully traced up her side, until his fingers could slip under the hem of both shirts, a groan caught in his throat at the feel of her skin.