TANSTAV part 10

Chapter Three part 4

Kisses are like soda: wet, and kind of sticky, but every one you have makes you want more. Xen was only too happy to oblige me. After a moment, we both sat down on the sofa, and did more of this for a while. I loved the feel of her long, spider-like fingers in my hair, and being able to stroke her wings with my claws. She washed and brushed them every day, making the fur as smooth as silk. I breathed in the combined scents of wild rose and campfire smoke until I felt giddy.  You might want to skip over some of this if you’re one of those people who hates maudlin sentimentality.

Soon I was lying with my head in her lap, and Xen was running her claws lightly along my face. I could hear her heart; it was jackhammering away, probably as fast as mine was. Xen's eyes were closed, and she was smiling to herself.
"What are you thinking about?" I whispered.

"Nothing much. Just feeling happy," she murmured.

"That's good."

Not very eloquent, I know. But too much talking would have ruined the moment. Xen's fingers ran along my forehead, down my nose, over my cheekbones, and smoothed my eyebrows. Next she proceeded to comb my beard with her claws. Gently she separated the many strands, disentangled knots, and tickled slightly. Every time she did I jumped, and she giggled. When she finally finished, she traced my mouth. I kissed each fingertip. (Cool science fact: the most sensory receptors of the body are the face and the fingertips. It's true for both humans and humanoid monsters, such as gargoyles.)

Next Xen lowered her head close to mine, making me quiver with anticipation; suddenly she rubbed noses with me, an Eskimo kiss. It was nice, but it was not what I had in mind. So, I lifted my head, and kissed her properly. Much better.

I could have done that forever, it seemed. I certainly would have preferred to. But suddenly, I remembered something important.

"Oh, dang it!"

"What?" Xen frowned.

"I forgot, I have a case! I have to go to the crime scene, and see if there's any evidence left!" I looked up at her guiltily, and then over at Calla's room.

"It's okay, I'll stay here and look after her until you get back," Xen promised.

"Thanks." I sat up, and used my claws to comb my hair. Xen straightened my tie for me, and then said, "Just be back soon."

"I will." With that, I kissed her goodbye, and then hurried out of the apartment.