The entirety of Claudia's anxious, demure persona was gone then, leaving instead a steady, curious gaze on the boy despite his posturing, and the squeak of a giggle at his open irritation. He had started irritated, so really anything might work to get him excited, Claudia thought, and none of it was changing that steady beat of his heart.

"I think you know," she taunted, tipping her head innocently with a smile, letting her eyes flash down and thoughtfully back up the meagre height of him like she could see straight through to what he was so defensive about.