Disclaimer: Really, do I really need to say it?
She remembers it fondly when she sees him, the sneaky way he led up to it. It was sweet, if unexpected, and it still makes her shake her head in amusement when she recalls.
She'd been walking past the stables when she saw him inside, pacing and muttering to himself. She'd approached cautiously, wondering if she should just leave him alone, yet unable to ignore a friend in need. She'd said his name, not loudly, but enough that he'd startled, whirling around with wide eyes until he'd seen her standing there.
A light blush had crept up his handsome face as he'd stammered a hello. She'd smiled and had stepped closer, asking what was wrong, if she could help.
He'd been quiet for a while, and she'd almost been ready to turn and leave him alone when he's spoken softly. There was a girl he'd been thinking about, a noble lady. She was kind, good, brave, and he'd become enamored. He'd known it wasn't love, that nothing would come of it, but until it died down, he'd be in silent torment. He'd convinced himself all it would take was a kiss. One kiss as perfect as he'd imagined, and he'd be able to get her out of his system once and for all.
Kel had listened silently until the end, when he'd looked at her in a silent appeal for advice. She'd thought for a bit before offering her say. Did he think the lady would be receptive to a light flirtation, she'd asked. As long as things were kept shallow, no promises made. She'd seen many noblemen who'd been promised in marriage from children do just that until they married. Not, she'd added sternly, that she would approve or tolerate him leading a lady on. But surely it would allow him to indulge in certain liberties. Kel knew first hand that people kissed many people before they married.
The next confession had shocked her, snapping her mask in place quickly. He'd never before kissed anyone. After that, he'd shocked the mask right off. Could, he'd hesitated. Could he kiss her, his first kiss, so he wouldn't be nervous. She'd nodded and shook her head at the same time, not truly sure what she was agreeing or not agreeing to. He'd looked at her through his lashes, shyly, and had leaned down.
His lips had been soft, warm, his breath sweet. He'd started with a light, feathery brush that had become bolder, harder. His hands had wrapped around her biceps, roughly pulling her closer to him. She'd been caught off guard, and in that one moment of off balance, he'd conquered her. She'd surrendered as he became more confident, more sure. Then, he'd eased up, slowly, lightly pulling back and eventually away.
There had been no shyness or uncertainty in his gaze then, a pleasant confident smirk in place. I think it's starting to work out of my system now, he'd said. Thank you. He'd walked to the door, pausing just before he stepped outside. Better than I'd imagined, he'd called back to her.
Still dazed, it wasn't until later, as she'd been relaying the incident to Neal that she realized he was the reason that she'd even been walking by the stables in the first place.