Even though she knew it in her heart, hearing him say aloud that he loved her left a lump in her throat. Emotion welled up in her and a trembling smile lit her face as she stepped up to him in only a few steps and kissed his cheek.<span style="color: indigo"> "And I love you." </span>Then she simply turned and moved back to where she was preparing their meal. She was sure to exaggerate the sway of her hips and the serpentine motions of her tail for his benefit though. She did like the hunger she saw in his eyes. It made her long for the completion of their mission. It was not long before she felt him move up beside her. Her eyes met his and she smiled coyly when he leaned in. the kiss was not as passionate as she had originally expected but it was clear that he was showing restraint. When he pulled back her smiled returned and she took a shaky breath. He was a very good kisser.<br/><br/>Before long he was ushering her to a chair. The click of her hooves sounded on the hardwood floors and she smiled at him again. She felt giddy. Between the excitement of the mission to come and the even more compelling excitement of what came after, she could hardly contain herself. She wanted to show him that she was not a girl anymore but she was concerned that is what he was expecting. Well, it was what it was. She would show him how she had matured and hoped that he enjoyed her all the more for it. When he placed the food in front of her and smiled at her she felt... tingly, would be the best way to describe it. She was immediately excited simply seeing him smile. She wanted to be the cause of many smiles in the years to come.<br/><br/>They ate silently, no words really needing to be said between them. They shared many glances and smiles. More than once he made her blush simply with that intense gaze of his. She decided to return the favour. When he discussed plans for the mission she nodded along. It was a good plan and she knew it would assuage his concern for her. Even as she let him speak, her leg stretched forward and she mischievously ran her hoof along the inside of his leg, from ankle to knee. It was hard for her to keep a straight face but she managed and simply listened while he covered some of the fine details. She pushed a little higher along his leg. He was not acknowledging her teasing and that simply would not do.<div class="messageTextEndMarker"> </div>