“Auro’s expression was quizzical; perhaps he did not expect Alexios to have this level of restraint once they were abed together. It wasn’t restraint, Alexios would have told him, had he asked. He needed this time. When Alexios was certain he would not forget a single eyelash, a single candlelit shadow playing across Auro’s skin, he carded a hand through Auro’s hair and leaned down for another soft kiss that quickly turned hungry.”