"Perhaps I have no wish to reject you," she drawled, allowing her gaze to travel slowly down, then up again, as if she were sizing up her chances. She scooted herself closer, her hip nudged against his hip, and she leaned her shoulder into his with a sly smile. "I think you wouldn't know what to do with me if I were to embrace you, instead of push you away."

Her face was closer to his, and moving closer still, until he could just barely feel the whisper of her breath against his skin.

Then her finger pressed into his forehead, gently, and pushed back. "You are dead on your feet. Go. Sleep. Otherwise I will seduce you and push you further out of your comfort zone." Ellie smirked and rose to her feet, arching her back to work out the kinks. This was a nice distraction, but there was still a map that needed to be made. Perhaps hearing him sleep deeply and evenly would keep her relaxed as well. A man like him, who would show weariness and weakness in front of her, was all the evidence she needed to know that he trusted her. He didn't need to pour his feelings on the floor or expose his heart. The little signs were enough.