His Marking

"What?" Ivan's pupils constricted in bewilderment before dilating in disbelief. He could feel his heart pound faster at what he believed to have heard as her approval, but he wasn't certain if he heard it or if he imagined he heard it. He has been hallucinating a lot these past few days to readily jump into these types of conclusions, he felt he needed to hear it again.

"What did you say?"

Samantha's lashes fluttered briefly as she lowered her gaze, and she couldn't comprehend if his reaction was one of excitement, or if she had approved a little too late. She had decided not to repeat it when she felt his hands grab both her shoulders, but it was enough to make her meet his anticipatory gaze. 

"Can you repeat what you just said?"