He caught his breath and then lifted her hand to his lips kissing it. He lowered her hand, but kept it in his own as he caught her eyes and spoke softly,for her ears alone.
"I know loneliness. I fear to speak too boldly, but... time runs away from us all so quickly in these lives we lead... I would like to help leaven that loneliness of yours, if I can."
His cheeks still held some redness, but now he smiled softly, the edge of a different hunger in his eyes, both lust and deep respect.