"It would make all the difference," she said insistently.

"And it surely would be good for you to make your own choice in the matter at least once," Randy went on without looking directly at her.

Alissa nodded, "You know....I wouldn't refuse you, all you'd have to do is say yes," she said gently.

Randy's ears tilted backward slightly. "I... Wouldn't that be..." He turned to look at her again and seemed to forget what he'd been trying to say--if indeed he'd had a real excuse prepared at all. She certainly was lovely, and what a shame that she was bound to be married off to the likes of Winston. Who knew how soon the announcement would be made? Winston had been eying her since Randy had arrived, and now she was an adult at last. He stared, mouth slightly ajar, lost in the sight of her as though it was the first time he'd really looked at her since she had returned. And in a way, it was.

She smiled and reached up to draw him down to her. She couldn't deny that she wanted him, had wanted him for some time. She kissed him with deliberation knowing that regardless of what might happen in the future, she would not regret Randy.

He returned her kiss much more sincerely this time. Suddenly it felt very much like the right decision, as though all the time he'd spent wondering what he truly felt had finally brought him the answer.

Alissa wrapped her arms around him and held him close, emboldened by his response. She was not timid by nature and in spite of her lack of experience she was eager to explore Randy's features, marveling at his muscles and the texture of his skin.

He didn't protest, though vaguely aware that the more of him she saw or felt, the stranger he was likely to seem. Somehow, though, he doubted she'd mind too terribly. Carefully he placed his hands about her waist, realizing that she was perhaps the smallest thing he'd ever held, children notwithstanding. She was hardly tiny by human standards, but she seemed so to him nonetheless.

She gave a soft chuckle in his ear, "You know, I suspect that once I've been with you Winston will never be able to make me happy..."

He couldn't help but grin at that. "You wouldn't be wrong," he answered confidently. "Of course, I would expect little else from Winston anyway."

Alissa kissed him, "But I expect a lot from you," she chuckled.

"And a lot you shall get," Randy promised, returning her kiss and allowing his hands to wander a bit more freely now.

Alissa encouraged him and began to remove his clothing, "If you want to stop this, say so now," she warned.

"I don't," he answered, now quite sure of himself. As though to confirm his position, he moved to help her undress, as well. No terrible corsets, no uncomfortable layers. You are beautiful just as you are. The thought didn't come directly in the form of words she could hear, but the message seeped through, making his feelings clear without being spoken.

Alissa smiled up at him and pressed close, pulling him down onto the bed with her....

....

Sometime later she snuggled into him, "It was even better than I thought it would be," she purred, kissing his cheek.

"You do not regret it?" he asked, running one large hand through her hair.