Maria bit her lip for a moment as he kissed her but was able to swallow any further sounds for the moment. The absolute need for silence was a practical consideration, but the effort to fulfill it made things better and worse at the same time.

She slung an arm around his shoulders, drawing him down against her. Maybe this would make it more difficult for him to do what she'd asked of him, maybe not, but she wanted him near her. The feel of his teasing fingers weren't enough—she craved the taste of him on her lips, the smell of him this close. With her other hand she groped blindly toward his laces again, lacking finesse this time but wanting to feel him hard in her hand once more.