C28 We can't!

She shook her head, stomach in knots. ‘You don’t understand. I can’t. I can’t. We can't keep doing this ’

And then, perhaps because he saw no other way to silence her, he claimed her mouth with his own, kissing her hard and fast and desperately, absorbing her panic, her anguish, placating her without words or promises to listen and be her champion, but somehow still reassuring her