Her glance fell to his lips and instead of running away like he thought she might, she waited, staring at him so.
“Don’t be scared…” He smiled as his voice softened. “I won’t hurt you. But you been askin’ for this…”
His finger gently reached to close her eyes. “Don’t look, it’s easier that way.”
She gulped. “What do you want me to do?” she asked innocently.
“Open your mouth a little,” he answered as he came closer.
He leaned closer. “You may not be a woman yet, but you are as pretty a girl as I’ve ever seen.”
Her eyes came open again, and her mouth whispered a gasp as her gaze followed his lips.
“Maybe I’ll scream…”
He smiled. “No you won’t. You’re just as curious as I am.”
Just then he bent his head and touched his lips to hers. He hadn’t expected the warmth and softness of her young but eager lips. He hadn’t expected her lips to move against his either, but they did. This girl could kiss, he mentally noted as his arms went around her.
Her lips were soft and sweet and he brought her closer so he could hold her against him. She moved to her knees and let her body rest against his, naturally. Then his lips began to move over hers tenderly. He felt her chest moving more rapidly, her arms clinging, and he heard a low moan, but he wasn’t sure who it was from. Her arms flew suddenly around his neck and her lips began to follow his motions. He hadn’t expected it and pulled her closer. It was just supposed to be a quick little kiss, but he felt her melting into him and he wanted to kiss her forever.
But good sense did prevail, after he enjoyed it thoroughly.
Slowly he unwrapped her arms, stood and moved away, staring into her surprised face.
“Now you’ve been kissed,” he uttered lowly, his eyes never leaving her.
“I didn’t mean to…” she began.
“Yes you did, you pert near asked for it, so did I…but like you said, you ain’t fully grown yet…and I certainly won’t take the advantage. But now you see how it is…makes no difference if you are black or white. You’re comin’ into a woman, and I’m a man…that’s the only real difference between us.”
“Don’t matter,” she insisted as her chest heaved in and out heavily. “Ain’t no white man could love a black girl…”
“Maybe…but that kiss had no color to it. And you’re a beautiful young lady too.”
“Don’t mean you’d have me…” she insisted, her breathing still heavy from the kiss.
“Don’t mean I wouldn’t either…” He grinned.
“Do you flirt with every black girl you meet?” she asked, wiping the kiss against her arm slowly.
“No…that’s the funny part…I don’t.”
“Then…could we do it again?”
“Again?” He laughed. “No…I don’t think so.”
“Why not…you liked it, didn’t you?” she boldly challenged.
“Too much, that’s why we ain’t doin’ it again. Now go to sleep,” he barked.
Lee meant to teach her there was no difference in color, but somewhere the lesson got lost in enjoyment. For both their sakes he wouldn’t carry it further. However, he couldn’t quite get over the fact that he liked it a bit too much for his own good. And he knew deep down, he would have liked to kiss her again. But that was foolishness. He was a man, and about to go to war. Hattie was a kid and although she’d someday be a beauty, she wasn’t for him.
At least that’s what he kept telling himself, but the feel of her soft lips on his lingered in his dreams. She was right, he hadn’t kissed a black girl before. But like he told her, the kiss had no color, and he savored it like a prize possession in some deep dark part of his heart.
The next morning, he made no mention of it, and woke them both.
“It’s time to ride.”