Excerpt:

I sat up and spotted something else. More stars hanging over a large, long desk. Is this more medicine? Did they leave a second package? I pulled the fabric out and beneath it was a light-colored box. It was more medicine. I was sure of it. Feeling proud to have discovered this second package, I decided to open it.

My eyes flew open wide. Instead of medicine there were more of those beautiful heart-shaped cookies. I picked one up. It felt soft and fresh. I broke it apart and popped a piece into my mouth. I literally melted in my mouth, the sweet taste making me feel like I was floating. I moaned softly.

“Suzannah? Where are you?”

“Here,” I answered.

Silas appeared in the empty doorway. “Did you find something?”

“Yes,” I said, holding out the box for him to see.

“And you’re planning on keeping them all for yourself?” Silas asked. I saw him grin in the moonlight.

“Maybe,” I grinned back. “I just ate one.”

“I won’t tell if you won’t,” Silas said, “But you have to give me one.”

“Here,” I reached the box toward him, but he didn’t take it.

“Put it in my mouth for me,” he said. “My hands are dirty.”

“And mine aren’t?”

He opened his mouth and I realized he was serious. This was not like when Morris commanded me to feed him. This was something…different. This was…exciting. I broke off a piece of the pastry, and held it out to him, placing it on his tongue. His lips closed around my fingers. I jumped back and pulled my hand away. It felt like lightning had shot through my fingers, up my arm and straight down into my abdomen, setting my nerves on fire. I tingled from head to toe.

“Silas!” I giggled. “You can’t do that.”

But why can’t he do that? I liked it. I liked the feeling of his lips on my skin. Was this what a kiss felt like? Kissing was forbidden except for married people. I imagined Silas kissing me and a fire exploded in the base of my stomach, an unfamiliar and exciting feeling that made my heart race. I realized I wanted him to kiss me; to kiss me full on the mouth.