[ One day they might not hold back. The idea makes him nervous. It makes him think of Des. He can never make that right and it terrifies him that he might end up leading another person right up into that.

Yet here he is. Dabbling as usual. ]

Not the worst sort of predictable by any means. Makes two of us. If you're that eager, suppose the gentlemanlike thing to do would be talking you through it.

Not quite the literal tongue in your ear, but I reckon it'd do just fine.