Stolen
"A kiss," Katarin was telling me, "is one of the best things in the world." She leaned back on the bed smiling in a dreamy fashion. I had returned to questioning people about love, not because I doubted the love of my children, but because I perceived that the love between Duane and Katarin was entirely different, and oddly familiar.
"Yes, but what does it feel like?" I asked. Katarin sat up and looked at me oddly.
"You've never kissed anyone before?" She asked. I shook my head and she started giggling.
"You spent all that time with all those handsome men and you never stole a kiss?" I shook my head again making her laugh louder, and I felt oddly dismayed.
"What do you mean steal a kiss?" I asked.
"When you still a kiss its kind of like, well, like it sounds like. It's just a kiss that you're stealing." She grinned at me and I frowned.
"You just take it?" I asked confused.
"Sure, if you think he won't mind. Most guys love it when you do, and the nice thing is, well, it doesn't have to mean anything unless you both want it to." She smiled happily. "It's just a kiss."
It's just a kiss. Perhaps I'd been confused about kisses or just about affection in general. Edgar kissed my hand a lot, and one time Locke had kissed my forehead, but those didn't seem to imply the same things Katarin had. Her idea of stealing a kiss seemed down right mischievous. Duane always complained that Katarin was a little too forward for her own good, but he always said so with a smile.
I could only think of one person I would want to steal a kiss from. If I had to experience it for the first time, I knew I wanted it to be him, but he had not been to visit in a long time, so amidst all the chores and children, I forgot all about stealing kisses.
A few months from my conversation with Katarin, I was surprised to see him at my door. He stayed for a few days and during this time stealing kisses was all I could think about, but when the time came for him to leave nothing had transpired, and I had started to panic. I was losing my only chance.
As he was turning to leave I called out to him and he turned back. I closed the space between us and pressed my lips against his, waiting for that wonderful feeling Katarin had spoken of, but it didn't come. I pulled back trying to hide the disappointment and fear.
"Terra, what are you doing?" He asked unsure whether to smile or not.
"I'm stealing a kiss." I said. "It doesn't have to mean anything." I added hastily biting my lip.
His face broke into a grin as he wrapped me in his arms and pulled me close to him. His lips came to mine and something deep and warm stirred in my stomach. He held me close to him and kissed me. At first it was soft and gentle, but it became firmer as we both leaned into the kiss. When it was over he pulled away smiling.
"Never steal from a thief." He said.