To his credit, Thomas kept his eyes staring straight up into the blackness of the night sky, focusing on stars rather than letting his gaze do what it truly wished to do - and that was to study that perfect body, those incredibly beautiful features. Even as he felt her squirm on his body, so close to his growing arousal, her hands on his chest, he resisted the urge. Instead, he let his eyes fall shut.<br/><br/>Her odd suggestion opened his eyes though. "Troops," he repeated thoughtfully. Paladins who served the order commanded only those troops given to them by the Republic, and even then they only did so on occasion, on a temporary basis. The kind of personal power she suggested was exactly what he stood against. Was that really the only way to preserve the Republic? To betray it, and his ideals.<br/><br/>He exhaled sharply as he suddenly felt her silky cheek pressed to his. He was slightly startled, and even more aroused by the contact. He was about to thank her for her well wishes when he felt her lips fully on his. He didn't deepen the kiss, but didn't quite resist, either.