A great day for kissing

Are you under the mistletoe? Today is Kissing Day Blogfest, and almost sixty people signed up to write a scene for your swooning pleasure. Gustav Klimt's famous The Kiss seems a perfect accompaniment for my little scene from a YA paranormal/fantasy, a work-in-progress called Sea Daughters.

"What's wrong? You're a million miles away." Ben slipped his arm around Hallie as they sat on his living room sofa. He was so close she could smell the freshness of his just-laundered shirt.

Hallie's heart fluttered, just like the rapid beat of a tiny bird she'd held as a child. Ben's parents were away and she knew he wanted to make love to her, at least as much as she'd allow.

The trouble was she didn't know what she might allow. She'd become confused about life, how tenuous it is, how it could change like quicksilver before you knew what happened. She wanted to be saturated with Ben's kisses in case she was about to lose him.

If he found out who she really was he would flee, she was sure.

He reached in his pocket and pulled out a shell bracelet. "I got this for you. Kinda simple, but it goes with your necklace." His hand shook a bit as he held it out to her.

"It's beautiful." She fumbled with the clasp, her eyes tearing. The bracelet slipped from her wrist.

Ben grabbed it before it hit the floor, and his large hands became steady as he deftly hooked the tiny clasp. "I like having something from me wrapped around you, even when I'm not there."

He kissed her palm. The brush of his breath caused a warm rush to surge through her.

He looked up, his eyes meeting hers, and she wanted nothing more than to dive into those blue depths and not think about the other deep that pulled stronger every day.

"Sometimes life is more complicated than we ever imagine it could be," she said.

"What has got you twisted in knots? I will help you untangle it. I will slay dragons, help you write essays, punch out anyone who hassles you, cover you with kisses. Whatever you need, baby."

She smiled. "My hero."

"I wish I was. But sometimes I think you will leave me behind. It's a feeling I get."

For a moment Hallie couldn't speak. "I don't want to go places without you. Ever. But I get caught up in stuff and can't always talk to you about what's going on. I want to be able to tell you everything."

His arms wrapped around her and anchored her in a safe harbor. This time, she could feel his heart--a steady drum.

"Don't leave me," she whispered. "No matter what."

His face was in her hair, his breath hot. "Nothing could ever make me leave you."

Not even my darkest secret? She banished the thought. Her mouth found his--lips parted, hint of peppermint.

His hands tangled in her hair. Hers slid around his waist. His kisses trailed down her neck to her collarbone like liquid fire. She flamed and melted. She was wax on a candle. There was nothing but Ben.