The kiss took her by surprise and for a moment she froze, then her arms went around his neck. That arched her more into his hand, but more importantly it let her keep him in the kiss. She had that fear, too, the sense that their whole future hinged on the next few days. When she could see him and touch him, that fear was pushed away.

She broke out of the kiss with a whimper. "I believe it. Believe in you."