When Inara closes her eyes, he hesitates just a moment, then presses another brief, soft kiss to her lips. He knows her well enough to know that this must be scary for her-- after all, the last time they got anywhere near this close, she told him she was leaving Serenity. Fleeing isn't an option here in Taxon of course, but he knows that the urge to run away from... what, he's not exactly sure, maybe from somehow compromising herself? From being vulnerable? Allowing her feelings to pierce through the code she's lived by for so long, the rules, the restraint? He knows that urge must be there, and doesn't want to pressure her, so he draws back a little, reluctantly.

"Seein' as how we're not real conversational at the minute, maybe you'd like me to... leave you some time alone?"