[ He stiffens when she touches him; his skin, of course, is burning hot. His body temperature is naturally higher than average, even discounting his present feelings of embarrassment. But right now, counting those feelings, he's downright feverish. ]

Is that a bad thing?

[ He licks his lips, like a nervous cat. ]

I expose my throat because I don't mind if it's cut. But I'd rather not also get my heart stabbed in the bargain.