"There's only one way to find out if this is real," he said, matter-of-factly. Both were standing in a parking lot, darkness enveloping them with a faint light illuminating their faces.

He took her gently by the hand, and it was electrifying. No man's touch had ever affected her so and she knew this was one of those moments she'd never forget.

Behind the restaurant, he took her by the shoulders, and pushed her against the wall. Studying every feature of her face, she studied him back, eyes inquisitive, both knowing that this wasn't just a great friendship; but the makings of a torturous love.

He lowered his face to hers, maintaining eye contact, softly pushing her blonde hair behind her ears. Deftly tilting her face to meet his, her small, pouty lips greeted his full, soft ones like a long, lost and starving stranger. She groaned in submission, as one of his hands snaked around to the back of her neck, holding her there for him.

Now she truly knew the definition of swooning. His 6'2" frame held her up, as she softly fell into him. Mouth gently probing mouth, her heart raced, and she felt the hot blood shooting through her veins as if on fire, her nerve endings screaming for more, her kiss wet and anxious. The heat traveled quickly through her body, and she felt desire as she'd never felt it before.

His gaze was unwavering, as he guaged the effect his mouth was having on her. Expertly, he tenderly kissed her mouth, eyes and the side of her nose, wanting to have all of her and right now. Another hand snaked around the small of her back as he felt her tremble into him. He leaned back and looked at her, but never moved more than 2 inches from her face. He'd never wanted a woman this badly in his life, and found himself frightened.

She did close her eyes, the desire to let him take over uncontrollable. He continued his onslaught of deliberate and slow, deep kisses as she groaned and returned them with equal vigor.

It was one of a kind. It was the freakin' superbowl of kisses. It was everlasting.

Both slowly made their way down to the ground, not separating for even a minute, continuing their explorative kiss as they went. She paused, her nose against his, breathing him in, smelling his soap and natural body scents, completely intoxicating, wanting him more than she'd ever wanted any single thing in her life. She, too, was beyond frightened at this precise moment. What if she lost him /now/?

Both bewildered at what they'd missed by being just friends for months, they took their time, staring at one another with new eyes, touching each other with affection and respect, titillating and explosive.

Yes, now he knew, as did she. And it was at that precise moment that she KNEW no man could ever compete with even that. No man, no matter how hot, smart or successful. This was the rare pearl in the oyster, the big bang, the thing we all hope to find yet never quite get. They reached this destination together and knew they would be forever changed.

That kiss stole her soul right from underneath her. It changed him into a man.