He's horribly awkward but he's trying to be smooth and confident -- and he carefully strokes her hair, running gloved fingertips through short strands.

"That will likely give me the conclusion I'm looking for. Further experimentation is, as you say, required."

So he swallows and leans in to carefully brush his lips to hers - hesitantly, to make sure that he's not going to get violently shoved away.