To Frederic, it felt like forever and yet only a few moments as he kissed her- cliche, yes, but true. He found his hand carefully tangling in her hair and felt the wall against his hand right behind Karen. She practically gasped his name against his mouth and he pulled back to catch his breath, gathering that she needed a moment too. He leaned his forehead against hers and just smiled softly at her. Goodness, everything between them was moving so fast, but Frederic felt like he needed her in his life. He could hardly remember the time when she wasn't present in his thoughts, even though it was only three or so weeks ago. He hadn't meant to fall so quickly for her, in fact, he hadn't meant to fall for her at all at first, but this just felt so right, so freeing, that he knew it was practically inevitable in his mind. Yes, he was falling in love with Karen Calloway, and although it frightened him a little, he knew he was ready to love again.