Xanthippe had zero blame to place on him right now. She was much more interested in resting her weight on his lap, instead. She hadn't amassed a ton of experience since that night they'd spent together, but she'd still managed to get at least the tiniest bit more comfortable in her own skin. Enough that straddling him wasn't an issue.

Neither was that exploring he was encouraging her to do. One hand rubbed over the side of his neck, her thumb brushing over his jawline. The other splayed its fingers over his chest, trailing downwards. Slow, but firm. Maybe in a second her brain would catch up with her and she'd hit another awkward note in her behavior, but right now she was just feeling his muscles through the fabric.