Tuesday, February 14

Is it getting hot in here?


Happy Valentine's Day! What better way to celebrate than with a steamy blog hop? This kissing scene hop is the brainchild of Hope Roberson and Cassie Mae. Thanks for thinking up such an perfect topic for today.

My scene is from my newest WIP, a paranormal romance featuring vampires. Never thought I'd write a vampire story, but now I never say never, lol. The hero is a embittered (and crude) vampire prince who hates humans until the day he meets the heroine, a human liaison to the vampire nation. She hates and fears vampires, having lost her ex to his own obsession with becoming a vampire. This is their first kiss. I probably shouldn't have picked a first draft, but most of my stuff is too graphic for public consumption :) Thanks for coming by!

As they neared Ptolomy’s mansion, Val clutched her satchel with an iron grip, her knuckles white. Her lips trembled, and he could smell her fear again. She pulled her thick black peacoat tighter, readjusting the tie at her waist. He felt her chill, it was written so plainly in her body language. Her vulnerability broke open a pocket of warmth in him. Without thinking, he reached for her, pulling her close against his side.
She sat stiffly at first. He stroked his hand up and down her arm, firm and soothing. Her body softened, the tension easing, and she relaxed her head against his shoulder. Unable to deny himself, he nuzzled her pale wheat curls, that heady lilac scent too much to resist. She was softer than mink. He turned his head to brush his cheek against the luxurious sensation.
She lifted her head to meet his gaze. Those eyes were brilliant pools of Caribbean, her pupils dilated with arousal. Hell yeah, she wanted him. But they were also wide with surprise. He’d only wanted to comfort her, but now his head dipped toward hers. When she licked her lips in response, it was all he could do to be gentle when he wanted to ravage her mouth. He touched his lips to hers, a tender sweep across and back again. An electric charge zipped all the way to the bottom of his feet, drawing his body tight. Just as he would have settled more firmly against her sweet mouth, the door swung open.
She jerked away from him, her fingers at her lips. Her eyes clouded with confusion and regret. F**k. He shot his driver a withering look, and the man cringed. He shook his head sharply before the man could stumble over an apology. Douchebag had also arrived at the side of the car, and Kade didn’t want the bastard to know anything was amiss. Holding a hand out for Val, he guided her out of the car and to the heavy doors of the mansion where Ptolomy no doubt waited impatiently for them.

Optional reading only, Val's POV (Graham is "Douchebag" to Kade):

Her lips tingled where Kade’s had been, and Val’s mind was a jumble. Why had she let that kiss happen? She’d been at the head of a panic attack. Maybe that had weakened her enough to succumb to Kade. Maybe she would have taken the comfort from anyone. That didn’t really fly because had it been Graham, she would have turned a cheek. She knew because Graham had made the attempt before.
Even more surprising than her easy participation was Kade himself. He’d caressed her hair with his face, like a thoughtful lover, and it had put her body and mind into a sweet, blissful fog. He’d been so soft, so careful, his lips whispering along hers. She would have taken him for the caveman-kiss type complete with bruising force and an invasion of tongue and teeth.
“Ready for this?” Kade asked. With a start, she realized they were in the foyer, and she was still holding his hand. She dropped it like it was on fire. Apparently it had been on fire because her hand was hot from the contact.

21 comments:

  1. Love this - and I'm fond of vampires :-)
    I also love the title of your blog. You may find kinship with Jagger Valentine at www.jaggervalentine.com. She's as jaded as it gets!

    I'm #52 on today's hop.

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  2. That was written with incredible description! Loved it! :D

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  3. Wow, you write beautifully! I loved the duel perspectives and the blunt ending to the kiss, great voice! Happy Valentine's day :)

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  4. Bummer they got interrupted, I was enjoying it soooo much:)

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  5. I like vampires ;)
    And I like both scenes. Oh, how I like when they want each other, but morals say they can't be together ;)

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  6. I can't say I ever plan to write vampires ever, but you never know. Just followed you. Loved your entry, too! :)

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  7. I am not generally fond of vampire's in love with humans. generally but it looks like you have a very spiciness and different world that you are writing in. this scene makes me want to know more about that world.

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  8. Ooh! Very nice. I like it even though I'm not a huge vampire fan, especially vampires with humans. But this works. Great world building even in such a short scene.

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  9. Nicely done! I love the name of your blog, by the way. :)

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  10. This is great! I'm all about the vampire thing. Love it!

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  11. This has a definite grown-up quality that I like in a vampire novel. Wow, it's hot, too. Your writing is fast-paced and spunky. Love it!

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  12. I think you hooked me with "too graphic for public consumptiion" as I've had that same problem.

    However, I enjoyed both versions (except I would have liked for Kade's name to be mentioned early in the writing).

    These two sound perfectly conflicted - which makes for more intense lovers :)

    .......dhole

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  13. Your descriptions were spot on. I was feeling it :) Love the name of your blog BTW, I'm your newest follower :)

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  14. You have a gift for romantic scenes. I love this line, " Her vulnerability broke open a pocket of warmth in him."

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  15. "She would have taken him for the caveman-kiss type..." <-- LOL! That line made me smile :-)

    PS - I'm in the paranormal romance group with you for the campaign.

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  16. Love these two scenes, nicely done! I'm in your para group btw. Thanks for the follow, I'm happy to be a follower on your blog too!

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  17. "A tender sweep" . . . I LOVE it! This is a FIRST DRAFT?! Holy excellent.

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  18. I love that we get to see both POV's. Super cute!

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  19. Pretty hot - she ought to be scared!

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  20. I so love this. It is awesome and I love getting to hear both POV's. I also love your blog-the title, design, everything. Thanks for visiting my blog. I am a new follower of yours.

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  21. I gave you a Shout-Out on my blog today, just so you know. :)

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