Knuckles hugged her tightly around the middle, the picnic basket all but forgotten as he embraced her. His kiss didn't lighten up, and it felt as if his body was on autopilot. He wanted this so much it hurt. He was so worried he'd screw up, or that he wouldn't know what to do when the moment came, and somewhere in the back of his mind he was terrified of making a mistake at this moment. But this was different from that time in the tunnel. He knew he wanted this too. There wasn't a bit of hesitation in his actions. He may have worried about what would have happened if they had continued what happened on the boat, but now that seemed to be the farthest thing from his mind.

Almost unconsciously, he lifted her and laid her back on the blanket, moving over her, never breaking that kiss.