A Fiery First Kiss

The first kiss between characters changes everything. Once done it can’t be undone no matter the reasons for the kiss.

For Matai, the hero in How To Breathe Fire, it is easier to try and scare Camea than tell her the truth. Luckily for him Camea doesn’t scare easy and she knows Matai isn’t everything he appears to be …

His gaze skimmed the statues pushing out of the walls. “Why don’t you believe I am the god?”

Camea ran her tongue over the backs of her teeth. She didn’t want to insult him again, and yet he seemed to be looking for honesty. She tilted her head. “A god isn’t petty. A god wouldn’t demand the deaths of so many women… Are you a demon? Did you trick the King of Adar into giving you women so you could amuse yourself?”

The witches had warned of the temptations of demons, honourless thieves who would take a woman if she strayed too far from safety. She’d thought them myths to keep women from wanting more than a husband to obey.

The man of fire crossed the floor and gripped her arms, his touch scorching, imprinting on her flesh. The flames in his eyes burned white hot. “Do not assume to know what I am. What I do or why. You know nothing of demons or gods.”

Camea met his burning stare. “Then tell me.”

His mouth closed over hers, combusting the air in her lungs. Every part of her body glowed with the heat. She hadn’t expected her first kiss to be like plunging her hand into boiling water.
He pulled back as if he were wounded and burned by her touch. His hands fell to his sides. “You may not like what you hear.”

“That doesn’t change the truth.”

Excerpt

Shona Husk

Feel the magic of that first kiss...

Greetings all! Happy Valentine’s Day eve.  Are you up for a little romance? Well of course you are. If you weren’t, you wouldn’t be here. *wink*  Let me introduce myself.  I’m Maeve Greyson, paranormal romance writer, and I’m very pleased to be here.  And since we’re talking romance today, what could be more romantic than a wonderful first kiss?

Ahh…that first kiss. It makes you sigh, ratchets your heart rate to hummingbird speed and rushes liquid heat through your veins. Is there anything more magical than that first kiss with the one you’ve looked for all your life? The first taste, the first sampling of all the delicious discoveries yet to enjoy? Read on to discover Latharn and Nessa’s first “real” kiss from BEYOND A HIGHLAND WHISPER.

Latharn & Nessa’s first kiss:

Nessa remained motionless under the table, afraid something would fall on her head. She just knew the building must be about ready to collapse from the violent attack it had just endured. Strong hands closed around her arms, and lifted her from the rubble. Opening her eyes, she found herself staring into a set of deep green eyes she’d only seen before in her dreams.

As he tenderly stroked the curve of her cheek, Latharn groaned with satisfaction. “’Tis about time ye said the words for me, lass. I’d begun to think I’d never be free of that hell.”

Nessa’s jaw dropped to her chest, her lips moved but no words came out. Speechless, she stared up into his face. She’d never imagined how his voice would sound. His deep Scot’s burr, the way his words rolled off his tongue—the sound set fire to her blood. The richness of his voice stroked her body, making her ache for more. Running her fingertips across the stubbled whiskers of his jaw, Nessa finally whispered, “It’s really you.”

Latharn lowered his mouth to hers. He savored his first true taste of her lips. When her trembling hands slid up his chest, his heart swelled to near bursting. He deepened his kiss of possession. He tightened his embrace. He’d waited for this moment for centuries. To hold her, the one woman he ever loved, to feel her breathless against his chest.

The one way he’d maintained his sanity all these years was by searching for her with his mind. He’d used his powers. He’d traveled the mists until he’d finally located her soul in the energy of eternity. Once she was born, he’d waited for her to become a woman so he could be with her in her dreams. He’d watched Nessa since her soul first came into being now at last, he held her in his arms.

Latharn raised his head and smiled down into her eyes. “I’ve waited for centuries to hold ye like this. Now that I have ye, I’ll never let you go.”

Beyond a Highland Whisper – available February 18^th from The Wild Rose Press

Which will triumph? The vengeful wrath of a cruel witch or a love spanning across time?

The last time Latharn MacKay walked among his kinsman was in Scotland of 1410.  Sensuous and charismatic, all the women wanted him, but none captured his heart.  Latharn's charm became his curse when a wicked sorceress didn’t accept his rejection.  She snared his soul into a crystal globe until the one woman destined to be his love whispers his release.  Now all Latharn has to do is find her and convince Nessa to break the curse without speaking a word to tell her how.

One of the youngest archeologists in St Louis of 2010, Nessa credits one thing for this achievement: the recurring dream of a heart-stopping Highlander since the summer she turned eighteen years old.  Little does she know, he's not some fantasy cooked up by her subconscious.  He’s a trapped soul determined for Nessa to end his six centuries in hell. Can love prevail over the dark magic of a woman scorned?

For more about Maeve and her books:

Website: http://www.maevegreyson.com/
Blog:  http://maevegreyson.blogspot.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/maeve.greyson  OR http://www.facebook.com/maeve.greyson#!/maeve.greyson.page
Twitter:  http://twitter.com/#!/maevegreyson
The Wild Rose Press: http://thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=advanced_search_result&search_in_description=1&keyword=maeve+greyson

Make Me Remember: Their First Kiss

Good morning loverlies!



And thank you so very much for inviting me to your party. We're talking about first kisses today. One of my favorite subjects and I'm pretty sure a favorite subject of many of you.

The first kiss I'm posting is from my reincarnation story, Make Me Remember. (Available now from Ellora's Cave) It's technically the hero and heroine's first kiss even though they knew each other in another life time...

“I can’t speak of real, I can only tell you what I know…” He lifted my chin so our eyes met and held it when I tried to turn away from his words, from the truth in his eyes. “I know you. The feel of you, it’s burned into me, here.” He laid his hand on his chest before dipping his head to rub his cheek against mine. “The taste of you.” His lips brushed mine, once,twice, and heat of the tiny caresses splintered through me.

His mouth slanted over mine, his big body crowding mine against the back wall of the exam room. His touch singed me as his large calloused hands grabbed and held me as he lifted me, pinning me against the wall.

Thanks for letting me share one of my first kisses with you. If you're interested in reading more of Make Me Remember you can find a slew (yes, a whole slew) of excerpts on my blog and website. Here's hoping you all have a wonderful Sunday!

Emma Petersen
www.emmapetersen.com
www.emmapetersen.com/blog

Kissing Games

Well, it was really the Scottish Games, but that first kiss between Cait and Jake whet their appetites for the hot interlude to follow that night!

I’ll start with the backstory, the story’s backstory, which is the opening scene in Celtic Rhythm and in real life was the inspiration for the story. I was at the Scottish Games watching a band play—wait, I admit, I was watching one certain drummer. Long red hair flowing free, he wore a flowing white shirt and kilt as he marched around the room playing his drum in the audience. As he approached the stage he saw a young boy watching with wide eyes. The drummer set the drum down in the grass before the boy and handed him the sticks.

Yup, you’ve got it, my heart was lost at that moment. “He needs a story,” I decided, and Celtic Rhythm was born. Sad to say everything that followed that scene in the novella was fantasy, but oh, what a fantasy! Older woman, younger man, passion so hot they can’t wait to get a room...what more do we need?

Their first kiss came in the vendor booth where Cait sold clothing. Sitting alone with her eyes closed, she fantasized she lived in the Highlands and was waiting for her man to appear. To her surprise, Jake walks in. I have to keep the excerpt very brief, to keep it clean:

He toyed with her braid, pulling it forward over her shoulder, running his fingers down the long plait. When the back of his hand brushed over her nipple, it tightened, all of her senses focused on his touch. She imagined him stroking the blonde tip of her braid over her naked breast and gasped at the heat that shot through her. Say something, she chided. “I, uh, enjoyed y-your music.”

“Did you now?” he asked, reaching for her neck. He slid his thumb over her pulse point. “I like the rhythm you’re keeping.”

He leaned down and stole her breath as his lips pressed against hers. Her moan sounded distant to her ears. She grabbed the front of his shirt in both hands, stretched up to increase the contact with his mouth and sucked in his lower lip. She wanted more, much more, than just his kiss. Her tongue slipped between his lips to find his, to dance deep within his mouth.

Celtic Rhythm is in the Ellora’s Cavemen Flavors of Ecstasy anthology. You can read the full excerpt at my website, and find buy links: http://arithatcher.com/celtic.html Turn on some Celtic music while you read, to get the full experience!

Have you ever seen a man do something so sweet or romantic you thought he should be in a romance novel? Come on, you know you’ve thought about it...

Kisses in the Shadows

First kisses... Who doesn't remember their first kiss? And all the feelings that come along with it? I know I do. While most of my characters had their first kisses long before the story begins, that first kiss between hero and heroine is just as important...and nerve-wracking to write! LOL That first smooch "on stage" - whether a passionate, wrapped-around-each-other kiss or a closed-mouth, quick meeting of the mouth - is a hint of the relationship to come and sets the mood for the story.

I thought I'd share the first kisses in my Into the Shadows series. Three very different kisses - the uncertain kiss between the human and the vampire she fears, the first kiss in years between former lovers, and the forbidden kiss between hunter and hunted - and three very emotionally charged moments for the characters.

Sarah’s lips trembled. She stared into his eyes, as if searching. Unable to resist, Fen closed the space between them. Flicking his tongue over her lips, he relished her quick intake of breath before capturing her mouth.

He drank it all in. He could easily become addicted to the taste of this human. He cupped her face and traced the bottom edge of her lip before adding pressure to open her further to his exploring tongue. She gripped his forearms and slowly slid her tongue around his in an intoxicating dance.

Everything about her assaulted his senses—the softness of her skin, the sweet taste of her mouth, the tangy citrus scent of her hair, the little noises she made in the back of her throat… She was inside him now, winding her way into his very being.

As much as he wanted to, he didn’t stop her when she pulled away. She pushed lightly on his chest and he accommodated her by taking a step back and releasing her. She lifted her hand and touched her mouth.

“I want to believe you,” she whispered, “but I can’t.”

~~~~*~~~~

“You just can’t wait to get away from me, can you?” she whispered, then cringed. Why did she just say that?

Jae spun around and took a step forward. Without thinking, she backed up. Again, he moved forward. Again and again. Until she was against the wall and he was pressed to her front.

“Kind of a role reversal, isn’t it, Rina? Last time around, you couldn’t wait to get away from me.”

Before she had a chance to respond, his mouth was on hers. It was nothing like the kisses she remembered. There was no coaxing, no tenderness, no teasing. He simply demanded. He took.


He thrust his tongue into her mouth, and she groaned as his taste invaded her senses. Gripping her hips, he lifted her slightly and wedged his leg between hers. Rina pushed her hands beneath his leather coat and flattened her palms against his hard back. The yearning to touch him, to feel his skin against hers overwhelmed her. Gods, she wanted him more than she realised, more than she remembered.

~~~~*~~~~

“Brielle?” His sleepy voice danced along her spine.

“I’m right here.” She leant forward and, again giving into some deep urge, brushed the hair back from his forehead. “It’s okay now, go back to sleep.”

He caught her by the wrist and opened his sleepy blue eyes. He lifted his hand and cupped the back of her head, then he rose up and pressed his mouth to hers. Brielle froze in shock. Seth parted his lips, and his tongue darted out and traced her bottom lip. Her eyes slid shut as heat pooled between her legs. Oh gods. She opened to him before she realised what she was doing. Then she just didn’t care whether she should or shouldn’t as his tongue twined around hers. His flavour teased her senses—bold, almost peppery and definitely appealing, beneath the faint beer taste.

And as quickly as it began, it ended. His head dropped onto the pillow, his hands released her, and his eyes drifted closed.

“Tasted as good as I thought you would. Damn you,” he murmured.


Thanks to the fab LASR/WC and Goddess Fish for having this Valentine's shindig. I know I'm having a blast reading all the posts! Happy Valentine's Day to all. Here's to all those first smooches, may we always remember! ;-)

Hugs,
Jess
~~~~~~~~~
www.jessicajarman.com 
Real Women, Irresistible Men, Endless Possibilities!

Katalina Leon Kissing "Beautiful Strangers"

It’s so much fun to blog about first kisses! There’s nothing more romantic than a beautiful first kiss. Even a vicarious first kiss shared with fictional characters can be a big thrill.

Kissing is a subject I take seriously. I write in the erotic romance genre and I try my best to ensure kisses don’t play second fiddle to the more spectacular scene-stealers. I love writing about that magnetic first kiss where the reader knows with certainty the characters involved are destined to be lovers.

I absolutely love kissing and I have to admit that a million years ago when I was single, I let more than a few interesting young men go simply because they just couldn’t kiss!

I’m not sorry I did it either. I had my best interests in mind. I wanted to spend my life with a man who could kiss and fortunately I found one.

My advice to younger women or any woman for that matter is to holdout for a great kisser. You won’t regret it. Kissing tells a woman everything she needs to know about what to expect romantically from a man. A man’s level of patience, caring, sensuality and self-restraint all figure into this affectionate exchange.

The first kiss I want to share today is from “Beautiful Stranger”. In this scene David and Lily are on their first date. Things are going great until they run into Lily’s ex-husband Jimmy, in a restaurant in the French Quarter. Lily has just decided to go away with David for the weekend.

His fingers stroked her hand. “You’re not doing this to make Jimmy jealous?”

She felt a little shiver of electricity pass between. “I’m doing this one hundred-percent for me.” Her heart raced.

The lazy, sexy look of a big cat crossed David’s face. His hand dropped below the table and brushed against her thigh. “I think you made the right choice,” he whispered.

Her body shivered as David’s fingertips grazed the hem of her skirt. Her skin warmed from his slightest touch. Her heart raced. It already felt as if they were lovers.

(And later in the meal…)

David’s fingertips gently brushed the side of her cheek. “I’m glad you’re with me. I almost feel sorry for him.” He moved closer to her and casually draped an arm around her shoulder. He pulled her closer and whispered in her ear, “I think he’s a complete fool.”

“Me too. I’m glad we agree on that.” She smiled when she realized David was acting a bit territorial toward her and she liked it. “You arranged a beautiful dinner and I’m sorry Jimmy showed up. I’m not going to let him spoil our evening. He’s not important anymore, let’s just ignore him.” She looked into David’s eyes. Warmth and understanding brimmed in his eyes. Her body wanted to lean toward him and be close. His attitude was so relaxed she hoped it would rub off on her. He was the perfect man to run away with for the weekend.

He leaned over and causally kissed her as if they were well-acquainted lovers.

At first touch his full lips barely brushed against hers. His touch was light but the kiss sent an electric tingle through her that rocked her body backward against the seat. Her breath caught. His actions were restrained but the desire behind them was immense and unbounded. Heat radiated off the surface of his skin. The temperature between them rose. She was almost startled when her senses snapped to attention and took notice of every detail. Her blood rushed. Dear god, he felt good. How did he convey so much longing into one tiny kiss? Butterflies fluttered in her chest.

He didn’t pull away. He stayed close.

She was acutely aware he was only a hairbreadth away. He waited for her to come to him. She leaned forward and tentatively returned a single soft kiss. It felt so right. She wanted more. Without thinking, her hands reached out and gently caressed the sides of his face. Her fingers tangled in his hair. She felt his warm breath on her cheek. Her lips parted and gently glided against his. She pressed her lips against his soft mouth. His full lips begged to be nipped. She gently dragged her teeth across the cushioned softness. David felt so good. He took her breath away. Had she ever enjoyed a first kiss this much? He had such a beautiful mouth, what would it feel like to have David’s soft kisses stray between her thighs? Her throat tensed.

She crossed her legs and squeezed her thighs together beneath the table. A sharp thrill zipped through her. She wanted to wrap her legs around him and cover his face in kisses. This could get out of hand fast. It felt so natural to kiss David. He was so good to be near. 

She wanted to go on kissing him but reminded herself they were in a restaurant and the tablecloth couldn’t hide everything that was going on. She breathlessly broke the kiss and slowly pulled back.

David and Lily don’t stay in the restaurant for long…lol

I hope you enjoyed the excerpt.

XXOO Kat

Katalina Leon “Beautiful Stranger” Ellora’s Cave Sophisticate Line.

http://www.jasminejade.com/pm-8323-569-beautiful-stranger.aspx

That Electrifying First Kiss

by Maggie Toussaint

Do you remember your first kiss? Was it all heart-poundy and nerve-wracking or did you go with the flow? I remember being both thrilled and terrified. A tomboy from the cradle, I wasn’t sure I wanted to swap spit with anyone, so I held out a lot longer than some of my classmates at the middle school dances.

Finally, I met up with a kindred soul who was just as reluctant but wanted to see what the fuss was all about. We kissed each other, and were sorely disappointed. Later, I realized why – no spark of attraction.

Attraction gives kissing a kick that isn’t soon forgotten. My first real kiss came when a friend’s handsome cousin visited one summer. He was different from the boys around here, and he listened to what I had to say. I fell for him in all of an hour. His kiss seared my heart and set the standard for all future kisses.

As a romance writer, I want that same level of zip-zam-zowie in my character’s love lives. Here’s a snip from Muddy Waters. Let me know if you enjoy Roxie and Sloan’s first kiss at a friend’s wedding:

Strains of a haunting song about forever love filled the room. Folks around the room applauded when Roxie stepped into Sloan’s arms. “This is so embarrassing,” she murmured against his chest.

“Not a problem.” Sloan danced with her in the only way he knew, up close and personal. She felt great in his arms. With her height, he didn’t get a crick in his neck or back due to bending over to talk to her.

She was light on her feet and her fragrance triggered a deep, sensual hunger. The urge to kiss her thrummed through his blood. Though she felt right in his arms, he knew better than to trust his instincts when it came to females.

Kissing her would prove she was just another woman.

With that in mind, he navigated them toward an alcove, a secluded spot he’d noticed earlier when they entered the hall. With finesse, he angled her into the private space, then waited, silently urging her to look up.

When she did, he lowered his head slowly, giving her an out if she wanted it. She didn’t break eye contact, didn’t utter a sound in protest.

He brushed her lips with the barest of kisses. Raw current arced between them. A sexy little moan sounded deep in her chest. He went in for a second taste, nibbling, nuzzling, silently imploring her to open for him.

When she did, he was lost.

--

MUDDY WATERS in Digital format: Kindle  and Wild Rose Press

MUDDY WATERS in Print:  Wild Rose Press and Amazon

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I’d love to hear about your first kiss!

--

Maggie Toussaint

www.maggietoussaint.com

http://mudpiesandmagnolias.blogspot.com/

www.facebook.com/maggietoussaint/

www.twitter.com/maggietoussaint/

Emma and Garrick's First Kiss

Garrick of Hawkwood has been sent to Fairfield Castle by his sovereign, King Henry II. He is to marry the widow of Matthew d'Arcy and make his presence known in the northern regions of England. When he arrives at Fairfield, known as Castle Ladyslipper to the locals, the widow is nowhere to be found. Garrick must deal with Emma, Matthew's daughter. Emma's loyalty is to Queen Eleanor who is literally at war with her husband, the king. Despite their mutual attraction, Garrick and Emma are on opposing sides. To make matters worse, Emma is coping with a family curse. She wears a crystal around her neck that must be returned to its family of origin. Until that happens, all the women of her lineage can bear only daughters, a real downer in the 12th Century when only males could inherit. The following scene is in Garrick's point of view. He has just learned of the crystal, the curse and why so many females reside at Fairfield.

Bloody hell! How he hated dealing with crying women. They never failed to use tears in order to manipulate a man into some sort of capitulation. But, if this was the girl's intention, why did she hide herself away in the uppermost story of the south tower?

"Can-I-not-have-a-single-moment-to-myself?" Emma punctuated each word with a slam of her fist. She turned away and dashed at her tears.

Garrick was chagrined. He'd hunted her dwon like a wounded animal, invaded her privacy and caused her great embarrassment. He remembered only too well the need to seek out a place to hide from curious eyes and howl at the injustice of life. He'd beg her pardon and leave.

Aye, an excellent plan, a plan that might have worked if only she hadn't made that little sound. A murmuring sigh that swept into his heart and brushed against the wall he'd built there, stone by stone. If only he hadn't gone to her, turned her about and pulled her into his arms. If only she hadn't relaxed against him when his fingers smoothed a tangled lock of hair from her hot, wet cheek.

Stop now, he told himself, even as he pulled her closer, delighting in the fragrance that clung to her hair and skin. The heady mixture of summer honey and rose petals and its promise of long sultry nights blew away his pure intentions, that of offering comfort to a distraught woman.

Instead, the sensation of her long slim legs pressing against his, the soft curve of her hip beneath his hand quickened his breath and heated his loins. 'Twas simple. He would step away. Just one little step. He drew a ragged breath and prepared to do just that, when Emma's arms snaked around his neck and her head snuggled into his shoulder.

God's teeth, did she have any idea what she was doing to him? How his hands shook with the need to unlace her kirtle, to slide eager hands beneath her shift and discover all the hidden secrets of her lush body? To look into her eyes and watch them grow heavy-lidded with passion?

It seemed natural and right to slide a finger down her cheek and trace the fullness of her lower lip, to dip his head and touch the tip of his tongue to the tiny freckle that nestled in the hollow of her throat and brush his lips along the softness of her neck.

After her little moan of pleasure, he had to pull her closer still. cover her tempting lips with his. Savor the thunder of their shared heartbeats, as his tongue coaxed and probed until she opened her honeyed sweetness to him. When her knees buckled and she clutched at his arms to hold herself upright, Garrick lifted his mouth from hers and set her away, even though he ached with need for her.

Castle Ladyslipper by Marilee Brothers is available from Awe-Struck Press. Please visit her at http://www.marileebrothers.com/

The First Kiss

The first kiss between the hero and heroine can be explosive, with the promise of passion and love. It all depends on the characters and where you're characters are kissing.

For the characters in my book Quick Silver Ranch: Roped And Ready, my heroine, Becca, has just found out that she's at an adult dude ranch and my hero, Tyler, has just agreed to be her partner for all the adult activities for the week she is there. Becca and Tyler have a past together, they were college lovers.

“It will be good between us, Becca.” His lips brushed her cheek. “You know it will be.”

“Tyler, I…”

His mouth touched the corner of hers. Ah, thehell with it. She curved her hand around his neck and drew his mouth to hers. A small groan filled the air when his lips parted, allowing her tongue to explore this familiar and new territory. He still tasted like chocolate; they’d practically lived on it in college.

Yet, his flavor was richer than before, his mouth firmer and his tongue stroked along the roof of her mouth as if he was tasting her, and she wanted more.

Tongues tangled and dueled with each other as the kiss became deeper, more passionate, but there was tenderness in it as well. Her body came alive under his lips. Had it been like this between them before? She didn’t think so. This was hotter, more sensual, more…everything.

Do you have a favorite first kiss? Share with us.

You can visit Marie at her website: www.marietuhart.com and join her newsletter for special goodies, and drawings for a basket.

See more about Quick Silver Ranch: Roped And Ready at The Wild Rose Press - click here

First Kiss

FIRST KISS. Mmm…just the thought of it makes your thighs clench tight. He’s the one you’ll never forget. What if he was your first husband, the one who rocked your world, the one you’re still not over? In Sleeping with the Lights On, Sandra is confronted with him eighteen years later, and he’s looking better than ever in his black cowboy hat, dripping his Texas drawl all over her. This Las Vegas country crooner is up to something and she should beware, but she can’t resist that first kiss eighteen years later.

His fingers stilled, grasping my legs so the tips edged under the hem of my skirt. He brought his face so close I tasted his breath on my lips, sweet and wine soaked. I breathed in, intoxicated. “Carson what…”

He brushed his lips across mine lightly in a whisper “You, Sandra.”

I felt the words against my mouth more than I heard them. Our foreheads came together. The world beyond our touch had become so quiet I could hear the blood pulsing in my breast; could touch his warmth pressed against mine. My lips parted as the kiss became a gentle passion, inviting me to relish the moment of tempered desire, a brief taste, all the more covetous.

Do you have a first kiss, that’s not exactly a FIRST, but none the less memorable?

Brenda Whiteside

My web page

Sleeping with the Lights On - contemporary romance

Buy Link