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Leo’s happy face made him feel good too, but he held his tongue.
    “Okay, then. I guess we can go out on Sunday at six.”
    With his heart pounding like crazy, Aud gazed into Leo’s sparkling eyes. “Good. If you like, we can meet here again, or if you want to go for five and not six, we can meet at the gallery.”
    “Here’s fine. I don’t like to intrude too much on people’s workplaces.”
    “Probably a good policy.” Aud continued to gaze into Leo’s eyes. “You know, I’ve been wanting to kiss you all night.”
    Leo leaned closer to Aud. “Good. I’ve been wanting to kiss you too.”
    Their lips met. A strange feeling of energy and peace flowed through Aud. Leo’s lips were soft and he smelled faintly of the spicy sauce he’d gotten with his dinner. It was a good feeling. Aud wanted to melt into those lips.
    They sat there kissing on the couch for longer than it had taken Aud to do his preliminary sketch. Finally Leo pulled back a bit. “Look, I should probably go soon. If I don’t, I might not.”
    Aud combed his fingers through Leo’s hair. “And that’s a problem?”
    “A bit. I try not to do too much on the first date.” Leo swallowed. “I like to take things fairly slow. I’ve been burned a few times.”
    Having been there himself, Aud nodded. “I understand. But we’re on for Sunday.”
    “Oh yeah.” Leo’s smile lit up his whole face. “I don’t think wild dogs could keep me away from here on Sunday.”
    “Good. ’Cause as you probably noticed, I don’t have any wild dogs.” Aud leaned in and kissed Leo again.
    Leo let out a long, slow breath as the kiss ended. “Wow. You’re such a good kisser. I really could sit here and do this all night.”
    “You’re pretty good at it yourself.” Aud purposely made no move to get off the couch. He was enjoying himself so much he wanted to see how far he could take it.
    “You’re not going to make this easy, are you?” Leo kissed him again. When the kiss finally ended, Leo stood. “I really need to be going.”
    Aud rose beside him. “If you insist.”
    “Yeah. It’s taking all my willpower not to just throw you down on the couch and tear your clothes off.” Leo slid a shaking finger across the front of Aud’s shirt, pressing just enough to be felt through the cloth. He jerked his hand back. “Yeah, yeah. I need to go.” He wrapped his arms around Aud and kissed him again.
    Compared to their other kisses, it was short and to the point. As they parted, Leo had an adorable dreamy look in his eyes.
    “Sunday, then?” Aud said.
    Leo nodded vigorously. “Definitely.”
    They started for the door and paused just feet from it for another kiss.
    Aud held Leo tight. Leo’s heart pounded between them and thrummed almost as strong as Aud’s own pulse. It felt right. When their lips parted, they stood there hugging and gazing into each other’s eyes. Aud moved his hand first and opened the door. “I guess if you’re going to leave tonight, we’d better stop kissing for now so you can go.”
    With a heavy sigh, Leo backed up a step from Aud. “You’re probably right. I should head home. Felix and Julie will be at my place way too early in the morning if I don’t get to bed soon. The more tired I am, the more questions they’re going to ask. I’m starting to babble. I should go.” With a final quick peck that left Aud’s lips crying out for more, Leo stepped through the door and out onto the front porch. “I’ll see you Sunday at six.”
    “Six. I’ll be here.”
    “Me too.”
    “I had fun tonight.”
    “Definitely.” Leo made no move to turn and walk off the porch. Then he sighed. “Okay. I’ll see you Sunday…. Geez, I already said that. Good night, Aud. Sleep well.”
    “You too, Leo.”
    Aud stood in the doorway as Leo walked down the steps and out to the curb. He paused as he reached his car and looked back. With a wave, he got into his car. Aud didn’t move until Leo had pulled away from the curb and