Arya waited impatiently for the hoverbus back to her college after the holidays. It was cold and starting to snow. This was not the best time to wait for the twice-daily bus line. But there wasn't much choice. No one wanted to drive across all of Almara to Kasago where she was taking a perfumery technical course.
At last, the bus came. Of course, being late, it was more full than usual. She paid her fare, knowing that seats would vacate as they headed south.
No seats in the front, or the middle. Finally, there was a single seat in the very back, next to an attractive man.
"Do you mind if I sit here?" she asked.
"No. Go ahead. I was just falling asleep. I'd be glad of some company."
She sat down and pushed her bag under the seat in front of her, her legs never needing the extra stretching room, being shorter than average for an Almaran.
"Where are you going?"
"South to Kasago."
"That's going to take awhile."
"Two days."
"Wow."
"And you?"
"Iloren. But I could change my mind for the right person," he hinted.
Arya felt warm.
The man put his arm around her and pulled her closer to him. He was warm and comforting. His hand lifted her chin towards him, then met her lips with his. Almost immediately, he deepened the kiss, pressing his tongue between her lips to meet hers. "You're a good kisser," he said. "Did your boyfriend teach you?"
"I don't have a boyfriend," she replied.
His lips covered hers again, hungrily this time, then parted. "Then who taught you how to kiss?"
"You are, right now," Arya replied.
"You're lying!" he insisted. "You're completely innocent?"