She almost pressed further regarding the apology, but she thought she knew what it would be for. It was certainly frustrated to have to curb her desires this way, but... she had chosen this, she reminded herself. She had elected to wait for someday, and besides, the results of today's... attempt... did show that some progress had been made. Perhaps not as much as she would have liked, but... "Agree to disagree," she said lightly. At least her words about not accepting the apology - honest as they were - had entertained the other woman. She suspected they could both use a little levity.
She noted the pause, imagined the internal struggle - good, if she was to suffer this way, Aspel should have to, as well; it was only fair - and then the zipper was on its way up and a light kiss being placed on her shoulder. "I will return shortly, then," she said, once Aspel began picking up the boxes. This time, Ari let her go.
In the bathroom, she splashed her face with water and then used her wet hands to attempt to return order to her hair. She looked... well, utterly debauched wasn't far from the truth. Her dress was wrinkled, her hair a shambles, her lips swollen and her skin flushed. And somewhere under the fabric of her dress, the mark against her skin. Ari leaned forward against the sink, for a moment considering...
But no. Aspel had, of course, delicately offered the use of her bath - for the purposes of tension relief, she was certain, or an icy shower, her choice - but in the end it just seemed... crass somehow. She would grin and bear it, then, the same way Aspel probably had to, and if she thought this whole thing was a bit foolish - why not take what was freely offered when it was something obviously desired? - well, she would find some means of tension relief later, away from here.
For now, she would simply enjoy dinner, maybe play some music. And lie awake in Aspel's bed half the night, but that was neither here nor there.
By the time she returned to the living room, she could smell dinner, meaning it was once again warm, and the expression on her face was easy and carefree. Someday wasn't today, but today was one day closer.
She would simply have to endeavor to nudge things in the right direction.