She sucks in a soft breath at the implication in his words, becoming clearer every time she runs them through her mind again and again. Heat blooms deep within her and courses through her veins, a flush coloring her cheeks. She swallows thickly, licking her dry lips and breathes out slowly in preparation of the next question.

"Always?" she queries softly, almost timidly. "How long have you had... about me?" Her voice is breathless, almost hesitant to believe he'd been carrying such a torch for her longer than she'd imagined. It's humbling, startling and helplessly exciting, flattering even.