Retrograde

"Thank you," he whispers, hot breath tickling my nose. I stare wide-eyed at him while he holds my gaze. Why is my heart beating so fast?
"F-for what?" I stutter. When did I get so close to him? Why is he looking at me like that?
He doesn't say anything, and just takes my hand in his. He rubs his calloused fingers over my knuckle and the blush on my face quickly spreads to my ears.
He backs up a tad and raises my hand to his face, gently pressing his lips to it. His touch is like a fire, slowly beginning to spread from my hand throughout my entire body.
All the way, he never broke eye-contact.
He smiles against my skin, and lowers my hand away from his mouth. I fight back a disappointed noise and watch as he stands to his full height again, slightly towering over me.
"For everything," he says, closing the tiny gap between us again. "For everything you've done for me, and more."
Then suddenly, like the blink of an eye, his warm lips are pressed against mine.
And I have never tasted anything more sweet.