"You don't scare me, Solo." Spoken with an air of she could take you if she had to. The truth of that was up for grabs but the point was the same. She hadn't eased back because she was trying to get away or afraid, she just needed clarity.

"Like I said though, things have been done differently where I'm from. There are dinners and chaperoned events and watchers before you are supposed to be allowed alone with someone. It's why Raal and I took the chance we did. That said it's easy to let yourself be overcome by desires." And he had stoked those pretty well in her, it was why she needed the space, to let her cool down and think clearly. He had an ability to scramble her circuits when she got close to him. It would be so easy to just agree to things and she wasn't sure if she'd regret them later, she was half afraid she wouldn't.

"I like you, maybe more than I should." And that was the problem, she had responsibilities. A princess had commitments and duties and he wasn't helping move any of that forward. But just being this close to him, feeling the effect he had on her, it was as intoxicating as their earlier drinks. She should probably leave, that would be the safe thing to do. Safe and boring. But was that what she wanted?