Overcoming my indecision and gathering my nerve, I leaned in, her eyes locked in mine. For an eternal instant she sat upright and I wondered if she would not meet me in this embrace -- a possibility that I had not planned for. Yet as I led her with a feather-light hand on the curve of her neck, she came toward me. With my eyes closed, I saw her slightly parted lips shining with moisture and her tongue tense behind a row of teeth – teeth ashamed for their uncaressing hardness. I felt her lips touch mine, gently and passionately. The repentant teeth felt the pressure of another mouth near them. I was hardly aware that she had brought her hand up to my wrist until she used it to bring me back into a second kiss. We cautiously tasted each other’s lips as her fingers lightly played along the hairs of my arm. After an abortive breath our mouths met in one more parting kiss. Careful not to offend, my lips expressed the words my heart felt but could not speak. She sighed a breath of contentment as I uttered meaningless words of thanks and goodnight. Her clear eyes focused large pupils on me and said she didn’t mind my lack of eloquence. My lips -- having done their worthy duty -- formed themselves into a broad smile and held their position as I rode off.