THIS IS WHY NO ONE SHOULD MAKE ARI UPSET
The wine was almost gone, and she was, overall, feeling a great deal better than she had when she had come down here. "Well," she said, standing from her seat once her glass was empty, "it's been an unexpectedly nice evening, but I imagine you have many important things to do tonight. Or is it already tomorrow?"
She tugged him up out of his seat, feeling a whim coming on, just tipsy and out of sorts enough to act on it. "Why don't you relax," she murmured, leaning lightly against him and tilting her face up, "close your eyes," she put one hand on his shoulder and one in his hair, "and try to enjoy it."
Unlike the short, almost prudish kiss she had surprised him with, she let this one stretch out just a little longer, ignoring the little voice of reason at the back of her mind that insisted that this was quite a bit riskier than the quick favor of earlier. She didn't let go until she felt him actually relax and attempt, in the sloppy way of the inexperienced, to return the kiss. Someone - the late night waitress? - applauded. Then she stepped back, licked her lips, and told him, "Now, go home before I suggest something you'll regret." She didn't need company for the evening that badly. "Good night, Merri." Before he could say anything else - and before she changed her mind - she escaped out the door and up the side stairs.