'I love you,' she gasped […]
'I’ve never said it to anyone before,' she murmured, resting her head on his bicep. 'It didn’t feel like I always thought it would.'
He ran his hand down her hair. 'How did you think it would feel?'
She thought about it. 'Getting it over with. Like ripping off a Band-Aid.'
'And how did it feel instead?'
'The reverse. Like putting a bandage on. Wrapping it tight.'