"Well, are you going to kiss me good-by, or not?"
Her heart skipped a beat, but she tossed the dishrag in the sink and gave him a nonchalant response.
"I don't know. Are you sure you won't be offended?"
He shrugged as he stepped through the doorway. "Oh, don't mind me. I'm cranky lately. I quit smoking and I'm taking it out on everyone."
"You quit smoking?" With a rush of hot blood through her neck she remembered their exchange the first day. She hadn't seen him smoke since.
"Because of me?"
His smile was wry. "That would be an excellent reason, but actually, I quit for me." He leaned forward, his eyes twinkling again. "Now, where's my reward?"
"Oh, yes. The good-bye kiss." She sauntered over to him with her hands behind her back. Standing on her tiptoes, she planted a kiss on his cheek. "Bye."
She stepped back quickly, but before she realized what he was going to do, he swept her into his arms. Her last coherent thought as he lowered his head to kiss her lips was that he was right. This moment had been too long in the coming. And then his lips were warm on hers, seeking and finding emotions she never knew she possessed. She lay limp in his arms, startled and afraid to respond - afraid the kiss meant nothing to him. When he finally released her, she stumbled back, her heart racing wildly.
He took her chin in his hand and his dark sober gaze sought hers. "Lesson one. If you're serious about wanting to see someone again, you'd better give them a good night kiss they'll remember."
She caught her breath. Then the kiss had meant something to him. A tingle began in her chest and radiated through her entire body. She pushed his hand away from her chin. "Like this?" Her voice was barely a whisper as she boldly slipped her arms around his neck and guided his lips to hers again. Warm hands encircled her waist and drew her body against his. She pressed closer, snuggling against the firmness of his muscular chest. And then he was gently pushing her away.
He smiled down at her when she searched his face for a reason.
"Unless you've got a bigger sleeping bag, we'd better stop now."
A warm flush slowly crept up her neck and flooded her face. What must he think of her? Had she completely lost her mind? With such a passionate response, what could he think? Now was the time to set him strait. She moved a safe distance away and tried to put on a composed front.