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Arianeira noticed the movement and, slightly surprised, she moved her own hand without speaking, so that it was brushing the edge of his. Nervous as she was, that was as much encouragement as he was likely to get. "Is he a lot like you?" She asked, glancing sideways at him.

Arianeira was barely listening. The touch of his hand on hers had sent a small shiver of sensation down her spine. She tried to relax and not think about it, but without realising it she locked her eyes onto his. She bit her lip, trying to stop herself feeling shy. She realised that she wanted him to kiss her and the tide of conflicting emotions was literally mindblowing.

Arianeira returned the pressure gently, getting used to the feel of his lips on hers. She soon leaned in closer and moved her hands to his shoulders to steady herself as she applied more pressure. She knew she was blushing furiously and she lowered her eyelids in embarrassment, scared that he might break away if he saw it.

((That would be quite embarrassing.))

Somewhere deep in the recesses of Arianeira's brain, she knew what she was doing was stupid; there were so many ways this could go wrong and that one or both of them would probably end up being hurt. But the feel of his lips on hers was addictive and she was guiltily aware that she didn't have the self-discipline to pull away. Not yet at any rate.

Arianeira was flushing scarlet and she knew it and she was sure that things were about to get really awkward when she caught sight of the expression on Stratford's face. He looked so dazed that she couldn't forbear a smile and had to bite her lip to keep from laughing. Obviously he hadn't been expecting that any more than she had.

Arianeira raised an eyebrow at his smirk, trying - and failing - to look imposing. The effect was rather spoiled by her wide grin as she looked at him. They were still so close that she could feel his breath on her face, and she could see the slight movement of his neck in time with his racing pulse, and hers. She studied his face for a moment, letting her gaze wander first over his features, then the line of his jaw. She tilted her head slightly to the side. She liked his eyes and her gaze kept returning to them, focusing first on the colour and then trying to decipher the expression in them.

Arianeira wavered. She wanted to kiss him again. But he'd pulled away. Then why was he still so close? Arianeira felt the warmth pool in her cheeks as she studied his eyes again. Her hands were still resting on his shoulders and she slowly moved them down his chest until her right hand rested over his heart. "What the heck." She murmured recklessly, and moved her lips back over his.

Arianeira's courage soared when he responded and she felt the adrenaline kick in as her pulse sky-rocketed again. Feeling daring, and wanting to take things one step further, Arianeira ran her tongue along his bottom lip; a clear invitation if ever there was one.