Astoria laughed. He was entirely too sure of himself. His kiss caught her by surprise and it made her smile. "I don't think you do," she insisted after he pulled away. He was challenging her to make him miserable, in her opinion, and she didn't want to do that. "Because you're much too stubborn?" she asked, amused.
She paused to look at him over her shoulder. He was giving her an out that she didn't want. It was pointless to wonder whether he wanted that out when he had already turned down the one she'd given him before. "Of course it is." Astoria didn't want him to leave. That was the last thing she wanted in that moment. She wanted to snuggle up close to him like she'd never really been able to do and just spend some time together. Maybe it wasn't right and it was probably very stupid on her part, but she could care tomorrow, after she'd enjoyed herself.
When he pulled her towards him, she followed gladly, leaning into him and resting her head against him. It was more comfortable than it should have been. It was a good feeling, like she'd gotten something she hadn't even realized she wanted. She was surprised by his question, as she always was when he asked about something she didn't think he'd be remotely interested in. Her gaze flicked over to the painting and Astoria smiled. It was the first pieces she'd bought to decorate when she'd moved in and started dedicating some time to her interested in art. "It's the Thames River. Post-Impressionist, late 19th century. Not as masterful as a van Gogh or a Cezanne but beautiful in its own right." Also, significantly cheaper and actually obtainable. Still, she'd been drawn by the yellows, the blues, the reds of the evening sky, by the dark shadows of the buildings and the bridge. It was everything she loved about London even if it was darker, with broader, more distinctive strokes than the work she usually gravitated towards. "Do you like it or is it just another painting to you?" she asked teasingly, not really expecting him to understand but appreciating his interest nonetheless.