Throw caution to the wind and go for it!

"Absolutely," I said, with newfound conviction. Stacy looked at me, stunned. I guess saying it like that was a bit out of character for me. But then, she smiled.

"Y'know, Jack....you can kiss me now, if you want to." She looked away, shyly. "I wouldn't mind at all...if you did."

Well, hell, I'd already told her I wanted to. Might as well go for the gusto!

I reached up slowly and brushed a stray bang off her face. She giggled as it tickled her nose. My hand rested on her cheek, with my thumb in front of her earlobe and my fingers wrapped super-lightly around the back of her neck. She inhaled deeply and held it as I pulled her close, again very gently. For just a moment I couldn't believe my good fortune. Forty-eight hours ago, I was in the middle of an airfield in some God-forsaken corner of nowhere waiting to get on a plane, and now, here I was. Back home with a new and improved version of the girl of my dreams, in my room and awaiting my kiss. I didn't keep her waiting long.

If you've never released ten years of built-up desire at once, you can't know how it felt. If you have, you know it's beyond verbal description. Amazing doesn't cut it. Spectacular falls short. Even 'perfect' seems a bit weak.

As soon as our lips met, we melted and gave ourselves up completely to each other. I could feel her do this, and I know she could feel me too. Our mouths opened and closed in unison and even our quick, stolen breaths were in sync. The moment I turned my hand over, her's found it and gripped it delicately. The passion and emotional release and reception behind that kiss was nothing short of ultimate. I know that most people think 'the perfect kiss' is something that advertising executives use to sell tickets to crappy romantic comedies, but I gotta tell ya, I'm a believer.

I don't now if it was three seconds or three hours until we separated. Once we did, Stacy smiled a smile I'd never seen on her before. It was excitement, but not the same one as when the fair came to town or when I told her I would buy her something good for her birthday. It was like when she saw me earlier, but more intense. I sensed that it was a good thing.