Getting to know Kane was a slow burn. Becky was grateful. She didn't think she could handle anything more at this time in her life. Memories of Rob kept filling her mind every time she was alone.

The closest she and Kane had come to any kind of intimacy was when he held her hand as they crossed the road to get to the library. She smiled at the thought of him doing that. It was a sweet gesture rather than helping-an-old-lady-cross-the-street, good deed. He held the door opened for her as they entered and put his hand lightly in the middle of her back whenever they made their way to the second floor, where most of the books she needed were kept. Kane refused to let her use the rolling ladder in the library. He climbed it or reached for the books she needed, if they were on a shelf too high for her.

He was doing it now. Becky looked up at him and had to admit it was cute, even if a little annoying, at times. She was going to have to put her foot down and somehow send him the message that calling her Sapphire didn't mean she was a precious gem.

"What?"

"What?" Becky shook her head to clear her thoughts.

"I just said that." Kane grinned, climbed down the ladder and handed her the book. He ran his finger down her cheek. "Why are you staring at me?"

"Am I? Was I?" Becky took the book. She felt her face heat as he touched her. This wasn't protective, but tender. She didn't know how to react so hung her head.

Kane's face puzzled. He put his finger under her chin and tipped her head up. "You've gone bright red." He grinned again. "Are you blushing, Sapphire?" He tilted his head in question and added, "You are blushing." Kane spun his head to look over both shoulders, and then back at her. "It has to be me you're blushing at because there's no one else here." He scrutinized her as he smirked. "You were looking at my arse, weren't you?"

"No..." Becky blurted and slammed her hand over her mouth to stop from squealing in amusement.

"Why not?" Kane shook his head in disappointment. "I've given you so many opportunities," he said, and then added, "Do you think I climb up this bloody ladder just to get you your books?"

"Yes." Becky grinned. "Why else would you do it?"

Kane gave her a look of despair. "Wow. You're not as clever as I thought you were. Besides giving you the chance to check me out, I do it so I can't check you out."

With mouth agape Becky said, "What? What do you mean, can't?"

"Sapphire the time has come for me to explain what's happening here. I climb the ladder because if you climbed it I'd have to look at your legs. If I look at your legs I'd have to study your rear end and if I did that then... I'd want to do more than hold your hand crossing the road or touch your back as we go up the stairs."

"Are you channelling me?"

"I'm not sure where you're going with this but I'll bite," Kane said as he jerked his head in bewilderment. "Are you trying to change the subject?"

"What subject?" Becky stared at him trying to work out what they were talking about. She couldn't believe he'd just mentioned the things she'd been thinking about and was afraid he had the ability to read her mind.

"I get it. We're having two different conversations aren't we?" Kane chuckled and took her chin between his thumb and forefinger. "Becky Bridgestone. I want to be more than your friend."

"Really?"

"Really." Kane leaned down and put his lips lightly on hers, and then uttered, "I'm gonna kiss you. Okay?"

"K," Becky murmured as she crushed her book to her chest.

It was tender and exploratory. Searching for possession but not claiming. Becky liked it. She let him lead as she had done in everything since the night of the basketball game. Everything about him was like peeling back the sticky tape on a parcel so you didn't tear the paper. Nothing was hurried. Becky realised he was a patient man because that's what he was. A man. Not a lusting teenage boy who rushed into every experience. Her time with Rob had been wild and passionate and only when it was over did they lay and stare at each other in awe, touching and caressing.

Kane was doing the wonderment first. As he kissed her he ran his fingers through her hair and caressed her scalp. His other hand swept around her waist to draw her nearer. No sudden jerk against him so she could feel what his body was saying. No push against the book shelves so he could show her where he wanted to be, but instead, just the gentle touch of a man speaking to her with his lips and his hands. Becky closed her eyes and drew in a long breath of air as she felt the fire he ignited, in the pit of her stomach, glow. He ended the kiss by delicately separating his lips from hers. Becky stood speechless as he smiled down at her and stroked her cheek again.

"Sapphire. I want to take you on a date. Can we do that?" Kane tucked his lips back in a half grin. "Because I'm getting really sick of coming to this fucking library and, I might add, coming here on a public holiday is even worse." He shook his head. "What was the faculty thinking opening it today?"

"Oh. I thought you liked coming to the library."

Kane rolled his eyes and chuckled. "Have you ever seen me study or read a book while we've been here?"

The sudden realisation of what he was saying hit her. "Where do you study?"

"In my room but that's not what we're talking about, is it?" Kane had a feeling she was trying to avoid answering him and wondered if the kiss hadn't gone as well for her as it had for him. He let his hand drop to his side. Perhaps the boyfriend was still on her mind, but Demi had told him it was Becky who'd done the breaking up.

"What if it gets weird?" Anxious, Becky bit on her lip. She didn't want what they had, to get awkward by going on a date.

Hope rippled through Kane. This was good. She wasn't avoiding the subject. "Why would it get weird?"

"I don't know." Becky shrugged. "We talk and have fun and... and you know I've just broken up with someone." She focused on his face as she added, "Aren't you worried about being a rebound."

"You forget that I play basketball," Kane chuckled as he spoke. "I can handle rebounds." He crossed his ankles, folded his arms over his chest and rested his shoulder against the bookshelf. "So... tell me what you really think?"

"Hmm..." Becky hugged the book she was holding so tight, that the corners jabbed into her ribs. She twisted her mouth in thought as she looked up at him. "I think... I think... I think it's too soon for me to date, date someone yet." She could see the disappointment in his eyes even though he continued to smile. "I do like spending time with you, Kane, but I don't want to hurt you by jumping into something too soon. It really sucks getting hurt and well... you're a great guy and I'm still thinking about Rob and trying to understand it, you know, and I don't want that to get in the way. To ruin..." Becky felt she was babbling. She lifted her shoulders as she said, "Us. Like ruin us before us even start." She gave him a forlorn look. "Shit. That sounds really confusing doesn't it?"

"I get it, Sapphire." Kane guffawed, "Though you do need to work on your communication skills a bit more." He straightened up and cupped her face in his hands. "What you're saying is, you like me enough to want to go out with me sometime but you don't want to make it a thing until you've completely sorted your feelings concerning this other guy?"

Becky beamed at him. "Yes. Exactly. If you want we could go to a movie or something."

"I want," Kane said. "But for now we better leave this library or I'm going to kiss you again."

"Seriously?"

"Seriously."

As they left the building Kane nudged her with his hip. "How'd I go anyway? With the kiss. Did I pass?"

"Mmm..." Becky grinned over at him and tilted her hand from side to side. Should she tell him how it took her breath away or not?

Kane eyed her trying to work out what was going on in her head. She was half laughing with her face screwed up. He chuckled and said, "Are you going to be a bitch about it?"

"What. No. I'm never a bitch," Becky mocked.

"We'll see about that, but for now answer my question. I gotta know so I can improve on it if I have to."

"Kane." Becky stopped walking and faced him. She gave him a genuine look as she said, "Your kiss was wonderful. Really, really wonderful."

He stepped toward her. Becky put her hand on his chest and shook her head. "If you think you're going to kiss me again, you can't. Not yet. I do want you to kiss me again but I don't want to have thoughts of someone else an hour before it happens."

He didn't answer but just nudged his head as he took her hand and led her across the road.

Do you think Rob will see them come out of the library?

I hope if he does that he doesn't do anything stupid.

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