I turn to face him; he
puts his other arm around me. We are in the same position as before when the
last kiss attempt failed. My arms are tight around his neck, his arms around my
waist. I look down. He lifts up my chin so I’m lost in his gaze. His hand goes
back to my waist. He swallows; I think he’s as nervous as I am. He tilts his
head and leans in … I back away quickly.

“What’s wrong?” he
asks, looking hurt.

“Oh, no, it’s not you.
I think … I might have garlic breath.”

He laughs and pulls me
back to him. “So do I.” He pulls me in tighter, and before I know what’s
happening, his lips are on mine. I give in and surrender to him completely.

This feels like one of
my fantasies, only way, way better. He holds me tight as one hand moves from my
waist to caress my cheek, kissing me softly but sensually. My hands move to the
back of his head, and I grab a lock of hair in each hand. He moves our bodies
so that I’m against the railing at the edge of the deck. He moves his hand from
my waist to hold the rail as I still grasp his hair. The kissing becomes
feverishly passionate; his tongue against mine as they intertwine with each
other. Our breathing becomes faster and erratic. Our kissing becomes more
intimate. We are in perfect sync with each other. I pull him closer to me, our
whole bodies touching. My heart is pounding fast and hard. His hand moves from
my face to the back of my head, pulling me tight. He moves my hair from the
side of my neck, breaks our kiss and kisses my neck slowly and seductively. I
sigh and breathe in a stuttering motion. I open my eyes to see the waitress
standing there, gawking at us. I stiffen as I see her. He pulls back and looks
at me. With my eyes, I gesture toward the waitress. He turns, looks, and lets
out a little huff. He leans in towards me.

“Now that’s a first
kiss,” he whispers as he grabs my hand and leads me over to the table. I can’t
help but smile.