The kiss – her first – was rather different than she imagined it would be. The press was firmer, more tangible, elicited feelings elsewhere that she hadn’t even considered before and despite the fact that kissing was also far more frightening than she could have possibly envisioned she didn't especially want it to end.

A stance she immediately regretted when the door to the billiard room audibly clicked open and the swell of voices nearby swept into the room.

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