In the face of Vandelin's evident desire for him, Kit's self-consciousness does indeed begin to slip away, and with a subdued sigh he feels more freedom to indulge in his own. He answers that kiss hungrily and buries his fingers in Vandelin's hair, following him willingly as he's led to the bed.

No; he won't run again. Perhaps it's only his desire that gives him this conviction right now, but the shared heat and need created by their intimacy holds more in it than lust. Kit wants this closeness--even as it frightens him.

It quickly becomes clear to him what Vandelin has in mind as he loosens all the buttons on his shirt and kisses a warm path down his chest and stomach. Breath catching, he drops one hand from his lover's hair to work at the clasps on his trousers.