"Maybe I'd want you to be with me anyway," Ash said finding himself leaning in, "Not kept like a pet but with me and mine. The one that I'd want to be with." There were a lot of "ifs" and uncertainty in there but he wanted to know where she stood. He was moving dangerously closer to Lyra now and his head dipping in closer to hers. In the dim light she looked just as beautiful as she did in the sun. They were alone and it was quiet.
One kiss wouldn't harm either of them. Besides, it could get chalked under the "flirtation" category. It wasn't sex. Just a kiss. He'd make her reconsider that "never" with it too. And before Lyra could muster an answer he was kissing her.