It's the perfect response. She craves his kiss like she craves the very air she breathes. It's a quiet, simple way to tell him all the things he will not let her say out loud. So she returns his kiss, slow and warm and tender, breathing his breath, letting everything else fall away. She has all she needs in the world, right here in front of her.

Eventually, she has to pull away and it's with a wry grin. He's made a bit of a mess, not that she minds, but it's always, inevitably awkward.

"Hold that thought," she breathes against his lips. Luckily, there are tissues on the end table. She makes quick work of it, without having to even move from his lap.