Joe's bold words obviously had an effect, as she had come toward him, but then she had stopped. He rose to the occasion and drew close to her. Now in the heat of moment, being so close to her, she was intoxicating. He turned bright red.

"What now?" he asked softly. He thought he could guess the answer, but was scared for the reply he had never been this close to a woman before.

Having been kissed before, she knew the answer. Pearl ran the tip of her tongue over her lips and then slowly leaned in and brushed her lips shyly across his at first. Then she pulled back and looked at his face.

Joe eyes followed her tongue on its journey, and then closed as he felt her lips against his. It was a fleeting moment in time and a sensation that burned itself into his brain forever.  He opened his eyes and stared into hers.  He could of lost himself in them. He had to return this gift.

"Pearl.." he whispered softly, not expecting a response. Slowly leaning in, his eyes were focused on her lips, as he drew his face ever closer.  Just before they met, he closed his eyes again.

She kissed him again, this time with less timidity. She sighed and closed her eyes, remembering how it was done and tilting her head. "Joe," she murmured against his lips, her arms coming up to wrap around him. She didn't remember her lips tingling before, didn't make her belly clench quite as much as it clenched now. Butterflies danced within her.

Unsure of what to do with his hands, he wrapped his arms around her shoulders.

"Ssshh" he answered softly at her uttering his name. There was no need for words at the moment. He returned her kiss, stronger now. He was getting better at this.

She felt the next kiss all the way down to her toes. It went on for a long moment, or so it felt before she had to break the contact just to be able to breathe. Pearl panted softly, not pulling away, but rather, leaning into him because her knees had gone weak. She knew they shouldn't be embracing so, but damn, his strength buoyed her. Her head fell forward to rest on his shoulder just for a moment as she sought to unscramble the mess that had just become of her brain. She wanted to ask him why he wanted her of all people, what made her so special? He'd said she was beautiful. Was she?

When she lifted her head again, her cheeks were flushed. Her eyes searched his as if to ask the voiceless questions.

Joe felt her fall onto him. It was almost as if he had drained her - had he hurt her? He felt her soft hair against his neck. Magical. His eyes met hers.  He couldn't read them.

"Are you alright?" he asked.

"Ummm, yes," she murmured. "I am." Her cheeks reddened and she ducked her head. Her ears even reddened.

"I am glad of that." Joe answered. He saw her ears become red and was proud. Emboldened by his new found romantic skill, he gently kissed the top of her head. He was prouder. Then came the heavy pressure of guilt. They shouldn't be like this.

"I think, perhaps, we should- is that pie?"

"Pie..?" she asked almost dreamily, and then she glanced over to the pie that was still on the counter. Oh. Yes. Pie. She nodded then and murmured, "Apple pie." How could he even think of food at a time like this?! She reluctantly pulled away and moved over to the pastry in question, placing it on the table. She wasn't particularly hungry anymore.