...By the reaction that crossed her fact at that, he might as well have physically punched her. Absolutely dumbstruck. As if she found herself rounding a corner and suddenly stumbling into whatever faceless thing it was that she feared most.

Of all the things that she ever expected to hear him say, this was obviously not one that she was prepared for. Her expression, the breath held in her lungs, it all hovered for a moment. "--What?"