[She expects him to resist, or perhaps to at least falter; it's made clear in the strength behind those first steps once the switch has happened, a more forceful push rather than the elegant glide of one who trusts their partner to play along. And certainly it would be amusing to put up a fight, to make Peggy earn his cooperation rather than merely hand it over—yet when she breathes out those words of surprise Rip knows his choice had been the right one. A far better play, in the end, than what might be considered predictable.]
It's our first dance of the night, Miss Carter. [He turns his hand on her shoulder inward; the difference in their heights makes it all too easy to rest his palm against the side of her neck instead, fingers curled lightly in her hair.] I'd hate to disappoint by stepping on your toes.
[And following her lead is more than a mere simple thing; it's an enjoyable one. He's not possessed by so much unfounded pride that he won't yield to a woman's guidance—rather, there's equal pleasure in it for him, from the confusion he can see written in her features to the way their bodies still press together, despite how she'd taken the lead to seemingly keep Rip himself in check.
He is doing it to get the better of her, yes. But at the same time, his reasons run far deeper; far more selfish than a game of one-upmanship.]
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It's our first dance of the night, Miss Carter. [He turns his hand on her shoulder inward; the difference in their heights makes it all too easy to rest his palm against the side of her neck instead, fingers curled lightly in her hair.] I'd hate to disappoint by stepping on your toes.
[And following her lead is more than a mere simple thing; it's an enjoyable one. He's not possessed by so much unfounded pride that he won't yield to a woman's guidance—rather, there's equal pleasure in it for him, from the confusion he can see written in her features to the way their bodies still press together, despite how she'd taken the lead to seemingly keep Rip himself in check.
He is doing it to get the better of her, yes. But at the same time, his reasons run far deeper; far more selfish than a game of one-upmanship.]