Adventure (Mallory/Mano)

Mano was always ready for an adventure, and he couldn't help that his thoughts were on the adventure Mallory had promised him when, with a crack, they appeared outside his front door. "After you," he said, opening the door to let her in. He hoped his excitement didn't show, though he had the distinct feeling that she wouldn't care even if he let it show and bounced on the balls of his feet.

Mallory managed not to give anything more than a smirk at the eagerness radiating from her date. She'd given him fair warning and his continued interest was a good sign. She'd had a few bad experiences before becoming as guarded as she was now.

She paused in the living room to look around before turning her gaze back to Mano. "Nice view," she said. She let herself look him over while she was at it.

Mano smiled, his eyes lingering on Mallory since she was doing the same to him. "It is," he agreed. "Would you like a drink?" He wasn't all that interested in a drink, if he was perfectly honest, and it showed as he stepped close to her, reaching up to brush at a bit of vibrant, stray hair. After so long, it felt something like a dream having her so close.

"I had enough at the party," Mallory replied, her eyes shining with awareness. It was ridiculous how nerves could creep in even when it was what she wanted. She might have laughed at herself if she wasn't so damned ready. She leaned in closer yet and lay a hand on Mano's chest. "Show me your bedroom," she said softly. Hesitation was a stranger to her.

Mano chuckled and nodded, stepping back and gesturing. "Who am I to say no to a guest's desires?" he asked. He wished there weren't so many layers of clothing between him and her and, by the time they were in his bedroom, he'd shed the topmost layer of his robes. "Like what you see?" There was no reason not to slip up close to her and slide a hand against the side of her neck.

Mallory gave a light laugh at the cheap line. "Maybe," she teased. "Are you ready for this?" She turned her back to him and reached for her wand, sliding it free from the only place she could easily reach in a dress like this. A flick sent her zipper sliding down, and she stepped free of it, clad in lacy undergarment that kept everything in place.

"I can take care of this one too, unless you'd like to help?" she asked, looking over her shoulder with heavy-lidded eyes.

Mano chuckled and shook his head as he moved forward, fully intending to help as much as he was allowed. "You can't take all the fun out of this," he said. He slid his hands against curves it was inappropriate to touch in at stuffy balls and pressed his lips to her shoulder. "Are you always in such a hurry?" he teased, his lips curving against her skin.

"Wear one of these for a few hours and you'll understand," Mallory said. She wanted the reveal over with. Sometimes it went all right, but more often it was a mess, and she ended up leaving. The less time she spent building up anger for the messes, the sooner she could get to potential relief and enjoy the rest.

Not that she'd lied about the tight, boned garment that held everything in place. It looked amazing, but was tricky to breathe in, among other things.

Though Mano had never had the personal pleasure of wearing such a thing, he'd seen the marks on bodies held in too tightly and understood at least a little. His fingers hunted down the appropriate ties and got to work. "Well, you can stay out of this as long as you like tonight," he promised. He had no intentions of kicking her out, whatever surprises she had in store.

Mallory hoped so, and something told her that she was in luck tonight. He liked men and women both, and had only seemed more interested by the half-conversation with her parents. Her blood was rushing, nerves teetering on the edge of excitement and learned fear of rejection.

She ignored the fear, and when she turned to him, she let him look his fill, waiting and evaluating, watching him watch, without judgment.

Mano looked, curiosity momentarily distracting him enough to stay silent, though it wasn't long before his hands shifted to remove his own shirt. Once it was tossed on a chair and his chest was bare, he stepped up to her and slipped his hands against her hips. His eyes found hers. "What do you like?" he asked, tilting his head a little in question. "Or should I learn on my own? I'm a fast study." He typically preferred to learn on his own, but this was a special case.

That was enough. Fear dissipated and she let what she'd held back come forward at last. She let her lips part, let the mask of confidence melt into reality. She wanted him more than she'd admitted to herself. "I think you'll figure it out," she murmured.

She let herself touch him now, let her fingers find his waist, trace the lines of muscle and tendon. After a moment she even let herself speak, though the words were a little breathless, a little distracted. "With women I usually play the male role, but sometimes I top men too." She paused, then lifted her gaze from his chest. "I'll be a woman for you tonight. It all works."

Mano let out a sound that was some blend of surprise, curiosity, and interest at that comment. "Well, we have all night," he said, then dipped his head to finally take a kiss. This was an adventure he had never imagined having and, though he was eager, he intended to savor the opportunity. It wasn't even just the novelty of it at this point, though that certainly played a part. She was interesting, intelligent, confident, and she'd managed to get him to talk about Eros, however briefly. That had to stand for something.

With the initial worry proved unfounded, Mallory's confidence was back. Her inexperience didn't show because she knew what she wanted, knew how to read people, and loved letting go. She was fine leaving her heels on, guiding him with a soft hand, a firm hand, a sound or a word. She was fine exploring him and letting him guide her just as easily. If she was greedy, it only added to the fun.

Mano drank in the enthusiasm and responses offered, and when he lay beside her, chest heaving as his breathing tried to normalize, a smile played at his lips. That had been an experience he was eager to retry, though at the moment he was too exhausted and pleased to hope for a second round. "You are absolutely wonderful," he said, eyes closed as he absently replayed his favorite parts in his mind's eye.