If not now then when?

Tyrian accepted the drink back with a chuckle and murmured the required, "Cheers." before taking a drink himself. The liquor was no sooner off his tongue than Elise was leaning in with clear intent. His heart fluttered for a second and he very nearly froze. Thankfully, the part of his brain that wanted that kiss was stronger than the nerves and he found himself leaning in. It was little more than a quick peck on the lips but it was more than enough to send a warmth flowing down his limbs stronger than the drink he'd just had. His eyes opened - when had he closed them? - and went immediately to her mouth. Tyrian had gotten the barest taste of her but it was enough to know he wanted more.

He licked his lips, the taste of drink and Elise flavoring them, and forced his gaze to rise to meet hers. The butterflies were novel. So too was the interest in her lips. He'd thought sex and appeal were all about bits and curves and sensitive areas. Not once had he considered how much he might want to get more acquainted with her mouth. His to do list was getting longer. "I'd like it if you were," he murmured back.

Tyrian angled himself towards Elise and leaned in closer. His greater size meant that even laying down he loomed over her. Indecisive, his eyes drawn again to her mouth, he lingered just shy of touching her for a brief second. Her side against his and the warmth shared between them was a welcome, intimate addition, and her touch drove away all awareness of the party scene and its inhabitants. He could feel and hear the steady rise and fall of her breath, and that to him was far more captivating than whatever was happening by the fire.

Bent on a deeper taste than what she'd given him, Tyrian leaned in the rest of the way in search of a more purposeful kiss than the one she'd given him. His own breathing had picked up by now and he could feel the steady uptick in the beat of his heart. He tried not to think about how he didn't know how to move on from this point; this simple, passionate, but ultimately (as far as he knew) harmless kissing. There was a great deal between A and Z, all of which were a mystery to him. All he could hope was that he would know what to do as each moment arose and that, if he did not, Elise would have the grace to direct him without wounding his pride too severely. Whether she knew it or not he was clay in her paws.