Thorndyke continued applying the salve, his fingers moving carefully over the burn rashes, avoiding the most sensitive areas. Gwen's usually cold and aloof demeanour started crumbling ever so slightly, though she tried her best to maintain it.
He allowed a faint smirk to grace his lips as he continued his work.
"You know," he began, breaking the silence, "You don't have to pretend that my touch is making you uncomfortable."
Gwen let out a frustrated sigh, averting her gaze as she struggled to find her voice.
"I'm not—it doesn't—dammit!" she huffed, her usually sharp tongue faltering as she fought to regain composure.
Her body, however, responded in ways that belied her words, her muscles clenching and fluttering involuntarily under his touch.
With a low chuckle, he continued tracing his fingers over her skin, carefully avoiding the most sensitive spots.
