She had to gather her courage to say, "But you do want me"

His expression turned wry. "I'm breathing, aren't I?" he asked.

Whew. Okay, then. Now they were making progress. "Then react a little" she said. She grabbed him by his upper arms and tried to shake him. Of course he didn't move.

"I don't want to hurt you" he said. "I don't want you to regret any —"

She reached up and covered his mouth with her fingers. "I don't have any regrets" she said. "I want this. I want you. Just for a few minutes, I want to forget everything that is happening"

She felt the battle...