He could be tender, especially when it came to people he cared about. Unfortunately, those people tended to be few and far between, so it was not a side that was often seen. Illya noticed how Gaby trembled in his arms though and he found that he liked having that effect on her. It only made his desire increase.
Illya could have kissed her sooner, could have pressed his mouth to hers without warning, but he was a gentleman. She would call the shots at this stage in the relationship, because above all, he wanted her to be comfortable. It would be a lie though if Illya said he wasn't hungry for her. As soon as she gave her permission, his lips moved against hers, trying to keep the kiss gentle. Gaby tasted of sea salt and of the wine they had at dinner. He had never tasted anything so exquisite.