Slowly, reverently, she touches her lips to his once more and then pulls back but only far enough to press her forehead to his. "Sometimes this doesn't seem real."

She sees his lashes flutter open and then feels the tilt of his head as he once again lifts his chin to taste her kiss, his eyes not leaving hers.

He stays, his lips murmuring against her mouth. "Why would it not be?"

"You were so untouchable." Her voice is almost pained, and she soothes it by whispering against him. "But now"—small hands reach up, brushing his cheek—"you're not."