Dionisia smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. She watched him carefully, examining his every move, and finding herself more surprised at his casualness than anything else. Had Ari forgotten about their arrangement? Had he finally decided that their marriage ought to be more than just a show? She doubted it in the back of her mind; she hadn't gotten as much as a peck on the lips from his since their wedding day, and he'd only touched her with the fondness of a family member or friend since.
It was because of this that she found herself slowly backing towards the bookshelf as he neared her, her eyes growing wide with every step he took in her direction. Ari was not the forward type, and yet he neared her without as much as a hesitation in his step.
But then he stopped and, instead of reaching for her, grabbed a book instead. Was this his idea of seduction? If so, she didn't like how he was being overly vague and avoiding the matter. On top of that, he had to go and make things more confusing by asking questions she wasn't sure she had the correct answer to. Was "no" consent for him to make a move—and more importantly, would she be lying (to both him and herself) if she she simply wanted to retire for the night? She'd never been one to flee in stressful situations, but her fight-or-flight response was nearly failing her as the overwhelming urge to make a move towards the door overcame her.
She merely shook her head.
It was because of this that she found herself slowly backing towards the bookshelf as he neared her, her eyes growing wide with every step he took in her direction. Ari was not the forward type, and yet he neared her without as much as a hesitation in his step.
But then he stopped and, instead of reaching for her, grabbed a book instead. Was this his idea of seduction? If so, she didn't like how he was being overly vague and avoiding the matter. On top of that, he had to go and make things more confusing by asking questions she wasn't sure she had the correct answer to. Was "no" consent for him to make a move—and more importantly, would she be lying (to both him and herself) if she she simply wanted to retire for the night? She'd never been one to flee in stressful situations, but her fight-or-flight response was nearly failing her as the overwhelming urge to make a move towards the door overcame her.
She merely shook her head.
