First Kiss

by dabbling

I thought it would be fun to write a bzillion different ways Bobby & Alex might have a first kiss. Each Chapter is its own one-shot, so read at your leisure! A few spoilers, I try to warn you ahead of time; occasional appearances by other characters. Rating changed to M because of the content of just a few chapters. I try to give you forewarning about that, too!

38. Respect

First Kiss 38

"I thought I might find you here," Alex said, peeking at the armchair and endtable at the end of the stacks.

Bobby turned his head, pleasantly surprised to hear her voice. The floor lamp provided just enough light to give his skin a handsome glow. He turned his book over in his lap and waited for her to join him.

Alex sat down in the armchair facing his. "Work or pleasure?" she asked.

"Uhm," he looked at his watch. "I've been off the clock a while." He held up the book so she could read the cover. "An old favorite. I have to read it every ten years or so."

"To Kill a Mockingbird. Great book. I'm surprised you don't have your own copy."

"I do. I just…started looking around, and… and ended up here." He smiled. "It feels good sometimes, to hold a real, bound book in your hands. I like the library, too. Reminds me of when I was a kid."

Alex remembered Bobby once telling her how his mom used to bring Frank and him to the library. They didn't have money for entertainment, and the library was free. He told her how he used to read everything he could get his hands on, checking out stacks of books each week.

"I always liked that part when Scout sat with Atticus, reading the paper. I always pictured my own Dad as Atticus. It reminded me of that feeling of sitting on his lap. Safe, you know?"

"The part that's always stayed with me is when the people stand to watch Atticus leave. You know, he had the strength to fight for what's right…I guess I've always wanted…to be that kind of man." Bobby's voice trailed off.

"You are that kind of man."

Bobby tilted his head. Something in her expression was different tonight. She scooted forward in her chair and took the book from him, laying it gently on the table. Her fingers scooped into his palm as she stood and guided him to his feet. Her hands glided up his arms, made a turn, and stopped to rest over his heart.

He read something in her eyes, and he knew what she wanted. Slowly, timidly, he lowered his face to hers. He felt the warmth of her hands on his heart as he touched her lips. Alex pressed her mouth to his, and his arms wrapped around her, pulling her in until he could feel her heat against his skin.

Then she slid her arms around his waist, turned her head, and nestled it against his chest.