Pulling back quickly, she looked at him with wide eyes. Oh no. What if she'd misread things? Her moment of stupid spontaneity might have ruined everything.

He looked a bit surprised but didn't move.

Glancing to the right, Trudy and Pete slipped out of the room with smiles.

Biting her lip, she kept her eyes diverted and glided up to her feet just out of his reach. He still didn't say anything. Her heart beat fast. What should she do to fix this? Swallowing hard, her eyes searched the floor. She hadn't felt this self-conscious and gangly since grade school. Out of the corner of her eyes, his bare feet touched the floor. Then his hand reached out and softly took her hand. He pulled her closer and wrapped his arms around her. She slowly raised her eyes to meet his, her heart thundering wildly.

No expression could be read from his face. Was he offended? Upset? He slowly lowered his head and captured her lips. His kiss was soft and gentle, taking all the time in the world to discover. Then his lips slowly parted and closed against hers again.

Her arms glided around his chest as she leaned into him. She slowly kissed him, growing dizzy from his touch. His warm lips continued their slow, romantic massage. She wanted more but didn't know the physical limitations of his mouth, so she let him lead.

He slowly kissed her, the tip of his hot, soft tongue lightly brushing over her bottom lip. Then his tongue retreated and he resumed the dry, seductive kissing.

He was giving her the choice to take things how far she wanted. The tip of her tongue slowly glided past his lips and touched his tongue. He tasted dark and strong, a masculinity all his own. He broke the kiss only for an instant to tilt his head to his left a bit and kissed her only a little more open mouthed, showing her his physical limits.

He couldn't open very wide and the bandage that covered part of his lips got in the way a bit, but she reached up and cupped the left side of his face to help guide her lips to a better angle. He continued the kiss slowly, as if letting her adjust but refusing to give up that they could do this. And then it all fell into place when they found the perfect angle.

His tongue glided into her mouth and carressed. She sighed and leaned against him, her knees nearly buckling. The passion mounted, and his arms tightened around her. He kissed her hungrily, his gentle hand reaching up to cradle her cheek. Her hand slipped around into his silky hair. She pulled him down a little closer and stood on her toes, wishing their bodies could melt together.

Their tongues danced. She grew lightheaded in the most wonderful way. Her feet shifted slightly. He ever so slowly danced her in a circle. Her heart soared until it reached amazing heights. She melted in his arms, her hear irrevocably lost to him.

Something brushed against the back of her legs, and she floated back down from heaven as their dancing came to an end and he slowly broke the kiss.

He kept an arm around her but still cupped her cheek, his thumb carressing. His face was just a breath away as he whispered huskily, "We're tangled in the IV line."

Her eyes drifted open, her head still upturned to him. "Hm?" she sighed dreamily. Then he raised his arm over her, and the line fell away from the back of her legs.

"Are you alright? You're a bit flushed." He brushed a kiss over her forehead and then gave a soft smile, keeping an arm around her just in case.

"Mm hm," she said breathlessly. He was going to be a dangerous romantic. Her heart beat faster. Going to be. He wasn't the type to string a girl along unless he meant it. He must want a relationship with her.

"Why are you out of bed?" A strong young African American male nurse walked in with his hands on his hips. "I was told to get down here and help a big guy out of bed after surgery. Don't know why they called me, man. This pretty little thing got you out herself just fine." He strutted over and crossed his arms over his chest. "We'll get you to the bathroom, get some bloodwork, and then do a lap around the floor if you're still feeling fit enough. Tell you what. If you ain't one of those stubborn patients, I'll bring you back here to your girl and some lunch quick enough."

She flushed and looked up at Jason, who still smiled at her.

"Grab some lunch and relax for a bit," he smiled.

"Do you want me to stay?" She bit her lip.

"No." He slipped her a wink and patted her lower back for her to go.

Grabbing her purse, she went to the door and glanced back to see the nurse unhooking the IV line. Jason was watching her. She blushed and darted into the hall. Then she leaned her head back against the wall just outside his door, ignoring the passing nurses and patients. Setting her hands against her warm cheeks to cool them, she took a deep breath. The smile wouldn't die, and her cheeks hurt from grinning. A couple boys had kissed her in college, but none had ever been like that. That had been like soaring through the sunset with wings, knowing he'd catch her if she fell. Her hand drifted down to her where her heart still pounded. She'd been overwhelmed being in love with him, but now it wasn't just a one-sided relationship. His emotions were so powerful they'd swept her away with him. Her hand drifted up to her lips that were still swollen from his kiss, and she closed her eyes. It had been a perfect kiss, even being in a hospital.

A noise to her immediate left made her open her eyes. Jason stood there, in his own PJs and robe, with the IV pole and nurse. Both men looked at her in surprise.

She straightened and flushed to the roots of her hair. Then she turned and hurried down the hall.

"Oh, man, you musta kissed her good. I've never had a girl look like that," the nurse's voiced followed her down the hall.

She closed her eyes, completely embarrassed.

"Manners, now," Jason calmly scolded. "She's a lady."

She smiled as she ducked into the elevator. Of course Jason would protect her reputation.