I was aching-all my body was aching for him, and I could tell he felt the same-and we were both almost too shy to move. Almost. But one of us did and then without any interval between-it was like a quantum leap, suddenly-we were kissing each other, and oh, it was more than China, it was paradise.
In this excerpt from "The Amber Spyglass" by Philip Pullman, the narrator conveys an intense longing for a partner. Both characters feel a deep physical and emotional ache for one another, but they hesitate, caught in their shyness. The tension builds until one of them makes the move to close the distance, leading to a profound moment of connection. Their kiss transcends ordinary experiences, likening the sensation to something far beyond...