The Reception: Aric, Elizabeth and Open
He couldn't help the surge of pleasure he felt at her blush. For all her aloofness and cool brush offs it was reassuring - to say the least - to finally have confirmation that she wasn't always as immune to him as she acted. He'd prepared himself for a casual dismissal or one of her witty put-downs, so the feel of her fingers caressing his wrist and the lack of mockery or dismissal in her look, tone, or words was a pleasant surprise. Aric allowed himself to feel the first stirrings of hope, a luxury in his world. "Anything you want."