"Don't worry...I like you too much to do permanent damage." Lara said which was a little too close to the truth. She was feeling oddly protective of him. She shook off the feeling and concentrated on the job at hand.

He went easily when she nudged his chin up and laid the blade gently on the skin of his cheek, drawing it smoothly down through his beard. The blade was sharp and it sang a little as it glided through the hair, leaving smooth, clean skin in its wake. She moved over and passed it down his cheek again, wiping the hair and oil on the towel she'd set out on the bath.

Lara smiled at him. "How does it feel?"