He smiled cheekily, raising an eyebrow,

"What, right now? He ran a hand down her arm and, reaching her hand, interlaced his fingers with hers. She opened her mouth to speak, but his finger pressed against her lower lip soon stopped her.

"Right now I'm going to ask if I may kiss you again…" She smiled again, savouring the feel of his finger caressing her lips enquiringly. Nodding slightly, she brought her hand up to the nape of his neck. As their lips met again, both were startled by the undeniable sense of familiarity. This was crazy, this was only their second kiss, and yet it all felt so natural….so right. She felt his arms slip around her again, and she practically swooned against him. As they leant back into the couch he felt her hand caressing his chest and groaned into her mouth. When they finally broke apart, Clarisse realised that she was practically in his lap and felt a blush rising to her cheeks. Discreetly, she tried to slide back to the seat, only to feel his strong arms pulling her back,

"Stay…" He dropped a kiss to her neck, and she shivered, surprised to find herself curling up against him.

"And now?"

He chuckled, lightly kissing her nose and shaking his head at her insistence.

Pulling her tightly into his chest, he looped his arm under her knees, and startled her by swooping her up with him as he stood. She laughed, more through nerves than actual enjoyment,

"Put me down!"

"Never" He tightened his grip and lifted her a little higher as if to prove his point.

"Do I dare ask what now?"

He glanced at his watch quickly and, smiling widely, and twisting his neck a little to kiss her delicately on the lips,

"Now, my darling, I take you to bed."

Immediately she tensed, her eyes widening involuntarily. Inside, he smiled, pleased by her reaction. To Clarisse, however, he simply raised a curious eyebrow.

Placing her hand on his chest, she tried to smile and, ever so hesitantly, opened her mouth,

"Uh…I…ummm…."

She closed her eyes and swallowed, trying to regain some composure, some distance. Realising suddenly that this was not a situation that she could run from easily. If indeed she wanted to. Again, his lips descended upon hers, feather-light and entirely innocent. In spite of herself, in spite of the protestations streaming from her brain, she relaxed against him, drugged almost by his tenderness.

"It's OK, Clarisse."

She opened her eyes, surprised to see him looking serious, concerned almost,

"It is?"

"I meant your bed."

"You did?"

She let out a breath she didn't realise she'd been holding and he smiled at the endearing innocence of her reply, how relieved she'd suddenly looked.

"Yes."

Again he lowered his mouth to hers, gently tasting her lower lip, and was thrilled as she placed her hand on the back of his head, pulling him impossibly closer. He teased her face with little kisses, pleased that she was smiling again, pleased he had, at least this time, read her correctly. Nudging the door open with his knee, he started to carry her in the direction of her room.

"Besides…" he murmured, as they moved down the darkened corridor, pressing his cheek against her own, "…I never sleep with a girl on a first-date, even if she is the most amazing woman I've ever met."

She smiled, giggling softly and pulling back a little, finding the truth that she had hoped for reflected in his eyes.

"How about the second one?"

He grinned, "Not unless she ties me down and jumps me…"

Now it was Clarisse's turn to smile, and she tapped his nose with her index finger,

"Well, aren't you just Mr Hopeful?"

Reaching her door, he set her down and, almost automatically, she straightened out his shirt, fussed with his collar. Bringing his hand down to rest on the curve of her shoulder, their eyes met and they shared a conspiratorial smile.

"You never did answer my question."

He sighed, and pulled her in to rest against his chest.

"I know…I, uh…I think that might rather have been my plan…"

She smiled to herself, touched by his honesty. His hand was idly stroking her hair, and it took a serious amount of willpower just to keep her eyes open. It had all happened so fast and she was rather waiting for her brain to catch up with the night's events. She didn't want to think about how this might work, whether this might work…whatever 'this' might be. And so she could hardly blame him for dodging the issue. She buried her head in his chest and sighed as his arms wrapped a little tighter around her.

They had stood like that for a long time, just holding each other, when he finally broke the silence,

"Will you come riding with me tomorrow afternoon?"

A/N - Sorry this was rather short. I'm going to be busy this week with work and so knew I wouldn't get much up after today, so wanted to post this now. Thanks for all of your reviews so far - they really are the best excuse to avoid 'real' work and get on with writing more stories... ;o)