“But still he remembered wondering, at the age of ten, is it better to be safe or to be free?”

“I want to kiss you.” It was rather magical, she thought, how those five simple words, said in his lovely deep voice, could set her aflame, like a lamp tipped over and burning up everything in sight. She said: “Well, kiss me then.” “How imperious you are.” He smiled, came close, and set his hand gently under her chin. He bent and touched his lips to hers, lightly, sweetly, and it was as if her whole being rushed to meet him in his kiss. It was light, sweet, tender, caressing, demanding, and fiery hot all at once. How did he do that? There was absolutely no doubt about it. He was an excellent kisser. She could easily get used to this.”

“It was time to take action, to change her own story, to take life into her own hands.”

“Change was coming.Change was coming, and it was good.”

“But still he remembered wondering, at the age of ten, is it better to be safe or to be free?”