His reaction to her thanking him properly had her now having to hold back her laughter, though she couldn't stop a light grin that graced her lips. She'd need to be  careful, lest she forgot who and what he was. "Yes... Research... I suppose when you put it that way, this is acceptable then." Secretly she was happy he had given her an excuse to be here, in a place like this with him. The detective was most definitely out of her element, and with each sip she brought herself further and further out of her normally cautious personality.<br/><br/>Cole's response was perfect, and she willing touched her glass to his. "To friendship." She downed her glass and allowed him to refill it. Grinning lightly she shook her head to herself. "I'll forgive your misstep this time. Just don't forget, ok?" Lyra teased him gently and giggled before taking another sip. This was so incredibly dangerous. She was losing herself to the alcohol and the atmosphere. She shouldn't be relaxing like this around him. And yet.... How long had it been since she had last blown off steam like this?<br/><br/>The red head had gone quiet, silently thinking that question over. His voice brought her back then and she shook her head. "That's simply not who I am... Desperation is a disgusting monster, however..." Lyra shook her head harder then, fiery locks cascading over her shoulders and covering her pained expression. Clearing her throat she turned and gave him a smile, the emerald pools of her eyes still shimmering with the discomfort the topic had brought up. "We're having fun right now though, let's not worry about such matters."<br/><br/>Drinking deeply from her glass, the red head hummed in appreciation. "This is really good, I haven't been able to indulge like this in a very long time...." The slip up made her blush lightly then and she looked at him seriously then. "Thank you for the drinks Cole. They are appreciated." Again, warning bells reminded her that she shouldn't be dropping her guard this much around him.  This time, however, they seemed further away.<br/><br/>The gang leader would test her resolve every now and then, pulling her into him with his strong arm or brushing a hand up against her leg seductively. While she wouldn't try to avoid the touch, her body would betray her, stiffening each time he moved. She still hadn't relaxed completely yet, though with each sip she was growing closer and closer to<i>his</i>goal.<i>Fuck it</i>, the detective thought to herself and finished off her glass. It was more than slightly apparent on what he wanted from her and if she were being honest, she was opening up more and more to the idea. Initially she had been worried that he had called her here for far more nefarious reasons. Now though, she knew he wouldn't do anything that would harm her as long as she played along. Given his violent reputation, those thoughts had always been in the back of her mind. He needed her for something though, and that made her valuable.<br/><br/>Sighing contentedly, Lyra relaxed completely, allowing her head to rest on the back of the couch, eyes closed. "God I needed this...." she said more to herself than him. Her ears picked up the sounds of people coming and going from the room, but it wasn't until the music had changed that she opened her eyes again. Cole pulled her close then, and she hadn't tensed, accepting the embrace as if it were completely normal. His words echoed in her head and she smirked before giggling, her body warming up touch. Resting her head on his shoulder she giggled again, "You're so full of shit! You've been cheating this entire time in our little game." She looked up at him, eyes glittering in the low light. "I'm always fun, you just don't know anything about me." Flicking the tip of his nose playfully the red head rose shakily to her feet.<br/><br/>Stretching her arms above her head made her tshirt rise, exposing a tight stomach and the hint of a navel piercing. The red head crossed her arms over her chest and grinned down at him. "I already told you, I'm not like the other girls you've known. I have no intention of making a spectacle of myself tonight in a place like this." There were too many people here for her liking. Hopefully he would understand and indulge her in this one request. Her voice carried a seductive tone as her emerald eyes sparkled in excitement. "Well?"