Gendrick stopped and turned me partly to face the cheering crowds. "Let's give them one more moment to savor," he said, putting his free hand about my waist and pulling me to him. He kissed my shocked lips and so I was caught with my mouth partly open. I went rigid as he kissed and kissed me and I could hear a huge roar of people shouting and laughing, laughing at me, I was sure. I don't know why I had closed my eyes but I had and when he let me go, I reeled, shivering with shame and fright. He kept me upright with his arm about me.
"Now smile," he whispered and I looked up at his intent face and revulsion went through me. A man had kissed me, kissed me in front of others and they were cheering for more. I shuddered inside, but the world hadn't ended. I had survived an intense, male kiss, I thought nervously, wondering how he felt about it. There was my lipstick on his mouth. I smiled faintly, hysteria only a moment away, and his intent look was gone as quickly as it had come. But for a moment, as I looked at his eyes glittering amusement at me, I was frightened to the roots of my being.