He shakes his head, unable to speak at the moment while his breath is shuddering so rapidly. He doesn't want to speak either, for she'll hear how his voice would quiver. His silence doesn't do much good to hide his fear, however, as he's trembling all over. He's hunched from the pain and shame, with his free arm wrapped around his ribs.

She's not pulling away. That's good, because he's having enough trouble standing as it is and wouldn't be able to fight her to keep her there. He steps back towards his bed, keeping hold of her so that she'd follow him as he sat down.