New Beginning 993

When I turned into Steve's street, I tried to walk more slowly. Tried to look less like you do when you're meeting the man you love.

Nobody would mind if I was a girl.

He opened his door the moment I reached it, and pulled me inside. He'd barely got the door shut again before he started kissing me.

My weight clicked the lock home.

"Thought you weren't coming," he said, when he paused for breath.

"Rachmaninoff."

"Again?"

"All the time." I drew him to me and then we were kissing again. Everything else faded to the periphery: the ache in my fingers, the smell of polish, even the door cold and hard against my back. All that mattered was to hold Steve close and share kisses.

Then we had to breathe again. I tucked my head under his chin and he began stroking my hair.

"All dressed up," I said.

"Some friends invited me over for dinner. Invited us, rather. They want to meet you."

"Wish I'd known."

He cupped my chin in one hand so he could raise my head. "Well, I would've come round and picked you up, but you've never actually told me where you live."

"Down by the canal."
 
"The canal?"

"It's easier if I'm close to the water."
 
"Ah, of course. Anyway, I can lend you something suitable."

"Rachmaninoff."

"Why don't--"

"I'll just go home," I told him, turning to leave. "Some other--"

Steve's hand was warm on my shoulder. "Slow down. I didn't spend half my life searching for you to let you get away so easily. We've got to get used to each other, that's all."

I smiled. Steve was right. This wouldn't be easy. Then again, being the only walrus-headed man in existence never had been. And, when his lips found mine again, I realized the difficulty would be worth it.


Opening: BuffySquirrel.....Continuation: Veronica Rundell