"I'm not use to people really caring..." or being in this close a proximity to a handsome honorable man who just defended her for the second time. She looked up at him, blinking, then her hand went to caress his cheek with one of her fingers, as he had done for her. It was a strange sensation that ran through her.

"That's a shame," he said softly, his hand moving up to cup her hand on his cheek. "How could anyone not want to care for someone like you?" Thoril was surprised. It was strange. He had never really bothered about women before. He just never found what he was looking for. Callie intrigued him though. She was incredibly sweet and she did make him laugh.

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Her cheeks turned a bit pink as his hand held hers to his face. "I'm too wild, as my mother said." she didn't break his gaze, and she wondered if he felt a strange as she did. Probably not, she mused to herself. Yet she made no move to take her hand away, she rather enjoyed the warmth of his hand upon hers.

"I am willing to take the risk," he said, chuckling softly. "Who said being wild was bad? I much rather fancy that it makes life much more interesting and entertaining." He ran his thumb across the back of her hand. This was all new to him. He felt strange, sort of warm and fuzzy inside. Off course it was not love, but why couldn't it be at some point?

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She swallowed hard. What was he saying? Tingles ran through her hand as his thumb moved. "You're a crazy man." she said quietly, "What...what do you mean?" she asked in the next breath, not exactly sure what he meant. Take the risk? Willing? She tilted her head ash she thought and studied him.

Thoril exhaled deeply. Have I misread her? He dropped his hand from hers. "I guess in essence...I was saying I liked you..." He blushed, but frowned at the same time. "Don't mind me..." He shuffled awkwardly.

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She smiled slowly, then against her better judgement, she reached up and hugged him softly. "I like you too. Forgive me. I'm...not...use to it." she realized what she was doing then, and blushed before letting him go. "I'm so sorry! I'm not...I mean I don't usually..." she babbled on, not sure of how exactly to say what she wanted to say, which caused her babbling to be a stuttering mess.

Thoril smiled warmly at her. He leaned down to her, his hand reaching up and stroking her face. In the next second he lightly pressed his lips to hers.

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She squeaked, her talking halted by his kiss. This was...new. She found herself slowly relaxing, her eyes drifted closed. This had never happened before, she thought to herself as she tentatively returned his kiss, completely unsure of the action as she had never done it before.

Thoril kissed her gently, tentatively. He sensed she was unsure. After a moment he pulled back and smiled at her.

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She blinked her wide eyes at him. She started scrambling through her brain for something to say. What would you say? No...you wouldn't say thank you...sorry didn't work either...

"It's alright," Thoril chuckled faintly. "It was the only way I could think of to stop you from rambling. I'm going to lay my cards on the table. I like you. I have enjoyed today with you and would like to spend more time with you. If you don't feel the same, then that's fine," he shrugged his shoulders. "I am a big boy now," he winked to her.

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She tilted her head, studying him again. She liked him too..."I do." she said softly and smiled at him, liking that he had told her. And liking the fact she did feel the same way.

(bbl, gotta charge up the iPod lol)

Thoril smiled and bowed to her. "I am sure you are tired and would like to retire to your bed." He lifted her hand and kissed it gently. "I wish you sweet dreams, Miss Callie." He held out his arm to her. "I shall escort you to your room...if you wish?"

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She smiled and nodded, taking his arm. "Thank you," she said, maybe she would get some sleep. She should at least try, she thought. "I really really didn't mean to disturb you tonight..." she said, again feeling bad about it.

Thoril laid a hand upon her arm. "My dear Callie, stop apologising. It was my pleasure to help you. I don't want you to ever feel like you cannot come to me." They walked into the inn and up the stairs. They paused outside her bedroom door.

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