Howls bedroom was glittering with the many jewels that decorated his room. Sophie could hardly breathe as he slowly laid her down on the bed. Her heart was beating a million miles a minute, and her mind was spinning. Was she really going to go through with this? Then She felt Howls hand gliding up her thigh, his mouth kissing and sucking against her neck. She moaned. Howl smiled against her throat and moved his body so he was balancing his weight on his elbows as he lay over her. He moved confidently… yet he was hesitant. She could feel the slight pause as he moved from her jawline to her collarbone, were his hands shaking?

Knowing that Howl was just as nervous, despite all his experience, gave Sophie the resolve to set her fears aside, even if it was just for the night. With that in mind she gently placed her hands on his chest, pushing back. Confusion clouded Howls brilliant blue eyes until he saw Sophie reaching for the end of her gown. His face morphed into a mask of shock as he realized what she was doing.

"Sophie." His voice shook with a heated want as he protested. "If you want to stop…" Howl bit his lower lip and looked away. Sophie only smiled and pulled off her gown, exposing her smooth unblemished skin. Howl let out a small huff, and moved gently over her, his hands on either side of her, not daring to touch her without consent. She smiled and linked her hands behind his neck, pulling herself up to nibbled on his ear.

"You can touch me Howl." As soon as the words left her mouth she felt his hands on her back, moving down to her hips. He kissed her hard, slightly bruising her lips and laying her back against the bed.