Her father would be gone for a bit longer, days, maybe weeks, and now Helen wanted to take full advantage of his absence. Now that she knew how James truly felt about her and had finally realized how she felt about him, she didn't particularly want to waste any more time than she had already.

She just had to hope that John wouldn't turn up. His presence would destroy the fragile confidence she had in her situation, her relationship, with James and she didn't want that at all.

One of her hands slid up to cup his cheek, holding him close to her. It was still amazing to her that she was allowing him to touch her like this when just two days ago, John had made her feel utterly violated with a very similar touch. What a difference it made to be with someone she trusted.

Eventually, she had to break the kiss so she could breathe and in doing so, she smiled up at him. A moment passed before she leaned back, took his hand, and began to slowly lead him over to the bed. There was no real need for them to remain upright after how trying these last few days were. At some point, she would need to take her hair down, but that, too, could wait until they were in the bed.