so well.
âThereâs also some other things I want,â Stacy offered. âItâs not just sex Iâm looking for.â
âWhat else is there?â
âWait here. Iâll show you.â
She unlocked the front door and slipped into the living room. She returned with a hardcover book.
âI thought, just now in the living room, that we might kiss.â
âKiss?â Adam asked and then a smile stealthily opened on his face. âA kiss is part of the package. No extra charge.â
âYour daughter is asleep next door. Youâre going home in a minute. I just want a kiss. Right here, right now. Just to get an idea of whether weâre compatible.â
She started to tremble at her own boldness. But if she was going to ask for what she wanted in life, sheâd have to learn a little boldness.
âJust to see if Iâm as good as the home office says?â
âIf you want to put it that way, sure.â
âAll right,â he said. âLetâs try it.â
He leaned back on the porch swing, stretching his arms out on the backrest. She perched on the edge of the seat and waited.
And waited.
âStacy, you have to get closer to me,â he said gently. âOur lips are going to touch. Come here.â
She scooted over.
He cupped her chin in his hand and brought herface to his. Softly he swiped her mouth with his lips. Back and forth as light as an angelâs touch. And then he paused, letting her know that there would be more, much more to his kiss.
âClose your eyes, Stacy.â
âSorry.â
âWhen was the last time you were kissed?â
âBy a non-relative?â
âYes.â
âOn the mouth?â
âYes.â
âBob Bergman. University of Wisconsin Freshman Mixer. Eight years ago. He was drinking too much. I didnât know any better.â
âDid you close your eyes then?â
âNot on your life.â
âDo it now.â
âAre you going to close yours?â
âAbsolutely.â
She obediently closed her eyes.
He teased her trembling mouth open with his tongue and then, remembering his word, closed his eyes. And felt the rush of sensation. His tongue plunged into the sweet virgin flesh. He put his arms around her, shielding her from the glare of reality. And for one glorious moment, he felt her relax and believe in the powerful forces of natural attraction.
When he relinquished her, she had been thoroughly kissed. And it showed. Her blush was no fragile lady-like bloom, but rather a five-alarm fireon her cheeks. She stared at him long and hard and then abruptly stood up.
âLooks like youâll do,â she allowed. âYouâll do quite nicely.â
And with as much dignity as a woman can muster under the circumstances, she strode to the front door and said good night.
When the door shut, he noticed the piece of paper. He picked it up and had read half-way through the list before she popped her head out the door.
âDid I do okay?â she asked.
âYouâre a natural,â he assured her. âFirst natural-born kisser Iâve had the pleasure of meeting.â
Her golden-amber eyes widened. âReally?â
âReally.â
She slammed shut the door. He finished reading the list. And when he slipped the list in her front door mail slot, he couldnât decide whether he admired her spunk or rued her selflessness in staying in a town that couldnât possibly appreciate her. He wondered what he was supposed to do next.
Make an appointment?
Call her for a date?
Bring her flowers?
Wait for her call?
Wait for her call! He was the one who always did the calling.
He walked across the lawn and Mugs met him at the pebble drive. He scratched his old friendâs ears. They ambled up the drive to the house. Friendand dog closed up the house. Before going to bed, Adam left a voice mail on Lasserâs office line informing him that the