In every story, there’s always room for a bit of romance!
To celebrate Valentine’s Day, here’s a selection of first kisses, almost first kisses and other chat-up lines from some of my books.
Mirror Image
Abel pulled Ruby closer to him. She could feel his heart beating against her. Then slowly he lifted her chin and kissed her gently on the lips. She gave a gasp of surprise.
He quickly released her. ‘Sorry! I…’ He stopped speaking as they heard voices outside.
Much later…
‘Ruby, I really like you. Very much in fact.’ He faltered as Ruby stood silently in front of him. As he turned to leave, she grabbed his shoulders and pressed her lips hard against his. After several minutes, she pulled back and smiled at him.
‘I was afraid that first kiss didn’t mean as much to you as it did to me.’
***
Shrinking Violet
Violet was humming as she stood in front of the mirror, brushing her hair ready to fix on her bunny ears. Suddenly she felt a pair of arms around her waist, pulling her close. Her eyes widened as Jake nuzzled her neck and whispered in her ear.
‘Mmm, you always smell so nice, Verace.’
She closed her eyes, enjoying the feel of his strong arms around her. Then she shook herself and gave a nervous laugh. ‘Ha, it’s Violet, Jake, not Verace.’
He looked up into the mirror, with a puzzled expression on his face. Slowly, he let her go. ‘Oops! So sorry, Vi!’
***
She was about to say something when they heard heavy boots running past. George stroked her hair as he felt her body go tense. ‘Don’t worry, I’m not going to let anyone hurt you, Suranna.’
There were shouts and screams followed by more gunfire, then the sound of more heavy boots as a second group of people ran past.
Police?’ George suggested hopefully as they heard someone responding to a metallic voice on a walkie talkie.
After listening to the sound of struggles and shouts for a further ten minutes, there was silence. George held out his hand and pulled Suranna to her feet.
‘It’s okay.’
Suranna began to sob quietly, tears running down her face. He pulled her close to him and stroked her back.
‘George…’ she struggled to speak. ‘I can never thank you enough. I couldn’t have got through this without you.’
‘Hey, you were great,’ he answered.
She raised her face to his and he gently brushed her tears away with his thumbs.
‘You know I’d do anything for you, Suranna.’
Slowly their faces moved closer, their lips almost touching when the rattle of keys in the lock made them spring apart. The door was flung open by Suranna’s mother. She pulled her daughter into her arms.
‘My baby, my baby! Thank God you’re safe!’
***
‘What’s been happening?’ one of the lunchtime supervisors asked, looking at the two boys on the floor and Charlie’s bruised face.
Everyone looked at each other silently.
‘I didn’t see exactly what happened but I think Oscar must have fallen over and bumped his nose,’ Maisie suggested innocently, looking at the injured boy.
The other boys and girls all nodded in agreement. ‘That must have been what happened.’
The woman shook her head. ‘And I suppose this other lad fell and bumped his eye?’
‘He must have done, Miss,’ another child said.
‘A right story! Well, we’d better get to the medical room and get these “bumps” cleaned up. And we’ll see what the head thinks of this.’
The crowd dispersed as Oscar and Charlie followed the two women towards the school.
Violet gave a deep sigh. ‘You had me worried there, Charlie! But you were so brave!’
‘Yeah, I was, wasn’t I?’ He grinned at Maisie. ‘It was my epiphany moment!’
‘You’ll have a black eye tomorrow, mate!’ Maisie leaned forward and kissed his cheek.
***
Enchanted Series Book One – Sage
‘Why are you so relentlessly good humoured, Kite?’ Flame asked.
‘Eternity is a bit too long to be in a bad mood.’
‘Oh, so you have no plans to bequeath your immortality and settle down to family life then?’
‘Well, not unless I meet a sweet-tempered young woman who I know will be the perfect companion for me and the perfect mother for our adorable children.’
Flame tossed back her head. ‘Well, I hope you don’t think that I…’
‘My dear girl, I don’t for one minute think that you could be a sweet-tempered young woman.’
Some of the dancers nearby exchanged glances as, with eyes blazing, Flame ground to a halt.
Suddenly she threw back her head and laughed. ‘I don’t know whether to slap you or kiss you.’
‘And I don’t know which would be more terrifying for me,’ Kite replied as he swung her back into the dance.
***
‘You really do look stunning tonight, Sophie,’ Paris said. ‘I mean, not just tonight. Well, I mean you don’t always look stunning, but you’re always pretty, well, beautiful really…of course, it’s not just about looks, I know that you’re an intelligent young woman, too…’
Sophie laughed and tucked her hand into his arm. ‘I think you’re complimenting me!’
***
Enchanted Series Book Two – Sophie
‘It wasn’t just the peace and quiet that drew me back to Aurum, Peridot. I missed your company very much.’ He took her two hands in his. ‘You are on my mind all the time. I cannot see my future without you.’
He took a step back as Peridot wiped a tear from her cheek. ‘Oh, if my declaration is unwelcome, please tell me. I would never want to cause you any distress!’
‘No! It’s most welcome!’ she laughed. ‘I was so afraid that when you went back to Earth world you’d like it so much you’d want to stay and make your home there. And I wouldn’t see you again.’
Osric shook hie head. ‘My home is wherever you are. I knew that from the moment I set eyes on you.’ He leaned forward, his lips gently brushing against hers.
****
Eden
At the door to her cabin, Freida turned to Porto. ‘Thank you, you were very kind, Porto.’
He spread his hands. ‘The pleasure was all mine.’
As she leaned forward to kiss his cheek, he turned his head and kissed her lips.
Freida stepped back, blushing. ‘Was that a pity kiss for poor Freida who’s been dumped?’
‘No, it was a Freida you’re gorgeous and I’ve wanted to do that for ages kiss.’
‘Oh.’
***
Suni leaned forward and brushed her lips against his neck.
He pulled away. ‘Suni, I don’t know if this is the right choice.’
She blushed. ‘Oh, forget I just did that. We’re just friends. I’m not your type, am I?’ She ran a hand over the scar on her face.
‘It’s not that at all…’ Max shook his head fiercely.
She started to stand up. ‘I can understand that you wouldn’t find me attractive.’
Max grabbed her arm. ‘Suni, I find you very attractive. But I don’t know where this can go.’
‘Hey, we agreed to just take things day by day…’
‘I don’t know if this is the right choice…’
‘It is,’ she whispered. ‘Believe me.’
****
Karl pulled Denise onto the dance floor, both laughing as he spun her around. He pulled her close to him. ‘You know what makes me happy? You do, Denise. I love you.’
She stopped and stared at him. ‘But I’m older than you, ten years older!’
‘And? I can still make you happy, can’t I?’
‘Yes, but…’ A smile spread slowly across her face. ‘Yes, Karl, you do make me happy.’