Christine shivered as he pulled the towel away, the air hitting dampness somehow cooler than the ice had been. And then his hand was back, Romulan heat seeping into her skin, soothing and loosening the muscles. His fingers were long and elegant, thumb and middle finger nearly touching where they encircled her ankle.

She didn't miss the way he squeezed her hand. This was definitely deliberate. The knowledge, more than the touch, made her heart skip a beat in excitement.

"That feels nice," she said, as she looked up to his face, examining the elegant sweep of his eyebrows. She darted her tongue out to moisten suddenly dry lips.