"Perhaps I should." Her laughter always made him smile.

His tone became slightly deeper. He leaned in closer.

"Perhaps I should..." he broke off, rather shocked at himself. His instinct to protect, to be a gentleman, was warring with a much deeper instinct.

He wasn't quite sure what to do except to fight it. Only Eponine made him feel this way. She made him feel all sorts of things he'd never felt before.

It was glorious, heady, and a bit frightening.

He kissed her again,but couldn't stop the soft, incoherent sound of pleasure that passed his lips.