~ All together in the Great Hall ~<br/><br/>The setting couldn’t have been more surreal for this first encounter with one of those that he hoped would fulfill his need for a poly relationship.  When she met his eyes briefly, he saw a flash of inner strength that warmed him but when she lowered them, he felt a surge of lust pour through his veins.  Here was a woman that he could come to love and respect in more ways than one.  As she squeezed his hand gently and agreed to the dance, Marcus smiled.<br/><br/>She took control of his hands at that point, almost as if she sensed his reluctance, and he let her.  It felt good to be touching for the first time, even something as innocent as this, and Marcus had no wish to take control back in that moment.  There would be time for that later, when it counted most.  The touch of his hand on her back, just above her delightfully tight rear, was torture to him.  All he wanted to do was slide his hand down and squeeze her cheeks as he pulled her body into his.  The time for that would come also, he knew, so he resisted the urge and simply accepted the tingles that were shooting through him.<br/><br/>He listened to the beat of the music for a moment, letting it soak into his bones, and when he was ready, he flashed her a smile and led them out onto the floor.  Stepping together, they moved as one, Marcus doing better than he thought he would.  Soon the music surrounded them, caressing their bodies and their minds, working them into a frenzy of movement that swept them away.  As the music finally came to a close, Marcus took the moment to finish with a bang, twirling his lovely partner once, twice three times and then ending with a sensuous dip.  As he pulled her back up, he gave a gentle tug to her hand, bringing her within his arms.  Staring into her eyes, a smile on his face, he leaned forward and kissed her cheek.  “You inspire me, milady” he said with a grin.  “That was perhaps the best I have ever danced and I owe it all to you.”<br/>