Here’s the first kiss from my romance novel The Angel and the Prince.

His gaze boldly traveled the length of her body.  The light from the candle made her nightdress virtually transparent, allowing him to absorb every curve.  She watched as his breath became shallow.

She took another step, and another, until she was directly in front of him.  How she wanted him to touch her!  The ghost of a smile crossed her lips at the irony.  She had finally found a man she wanted to touch her – and he was the enemy.  As she looked up into his black eyes, she saw his frown of confusion and irritation.  She wanted to comfort and reassure him.  Ryen reached out a hand, meaning to stroke the wound on his cheek, but Bryce flinched at her touch and drew back.  “I won’t hurt you,” she whispered, realizing the absurdity of the statement as soon as it had left her lips.  The scar that would form on his cheek would be permanent proof of her harm.  She withdrew her hand and took a step away from him.

“What do you want from me?  Why did you summon me here?” Bryce inquired.

She looked away from him and stepped back toward her sleeping mat.  “You are a handsome man.”

He eyed her suspiciously.  “Am I here to discuss my looks?”

Perhaps it was ridiculous, Ryen thought.  Men never seemed to have a problem with taking what, or who, they wanted.  Maybe I’m making this more complicated than it should be.  She raised herself up, straightening her shoulders.  She boldly took a step toward him.  “In a way, yes,” she answered.  She watched the frown etch its way into his brow.  I am not afraid, she told herself, and approached until she stood before him.  He is my prisoner.

“I will tell you nothing,” he snarled.  “Even if you give me more of your poison.”

“I do not want to know anything else.”  Ryen raised a hand to his arm, marveling at the strength and elegance of his muscle.  He clenched his fist and the muscles bunched as she touched them.  The explosive power that moved beneath her fingertips amazed her.  With her heart pounding, Ryen traced her fingers across his upper arm to his chest.

“What do you think you’re doing, woman?” he demanded.

“Your presence has been a…distraction to me.  I sought to cure it.”  She looked up and saw those dark eyes hovering over her.  His black hair washed over his mighty shoulders.  She raised a hand to touch his thick mane.

Bryce pulled back instantly, gazing at her fingertips out of the corner of his eye, searching for the white powder.

Ryen wrapped her fingers tightly in his hair, leaning into his strong chest.  “Do you fear my touch?” she wondered in a soft whisper.

Bryce’s black eyes scanned her face, but Ryen could not read his thoughts.  His dark look lowered over her neck and down to where her chest pressed tightly against his.  She shuddered slightly as if he had touched her there.

Then his eyes rose back to hers.  “Loathe is more like it.”

She felt the lie through his leggings and smiled.  “Your body betrays you.”

“Step away from me, witch,” he snarled.

Ryen never took commands well.  Especially from one of her prisoners.  She stood on the tips of her toes and pressed her lips against his.  At first, they were unmovable, like a rock wall, but suddenly they parted and the hot passion he was trying to hide was released.  His tongue slipped into her mouth, warring with hers.  His face pressed hard and demanding against her own.

Then, with a groan, he ripped his head to the side, away from her lips.

“Do not forget who is the prisoner here,” she purred.  She couldn’t resist the urge to run her hands over his broad chest.  He was like a sculpture carved from pure marble.  There was not a flaw.  As if molding the marble with her own hands, they followed the curve of his torso down to his leggings.  She ran her hands along his clothing.  Is the part covered by his leggings as perfect as the part that is bare? she wondered.  She wanted to see the rest of him, to touch him and marvel at the exquisite details of his rippling muscles.  But she couldn’t.  She drew her hands away.

“Afraid?” he taunted.

The dare was enough.  Her hands moved to his leggings and untied them.  Suddenly she stopped, stepping away from him.  She was trembling all over and she knew it wasn’t from anger.  She raised her eyes to his, searching for something – guidance, anything!

Bryce took a step and he was touching her again.  His black eyes burned into hers.  “Untie me,” he whispered.

Laurel O'Donnell - Author - Author of Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy

Did you get it?  The quote was – “Me? I’m scared of everything. I’m scared of what I saw, I’m scared of what I did, of who I am, and most of all I’m scared of walking out of this room and never feeling the rest of my whole life the way I feel when I’m with you.”

Baby said it to Johnny in Dirty Dancing!

Laurel O'Donnell - Author - Author of Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy

I’m starting a Who Said Wednesday.  I’ll post a line from a movie and let’s see how many people can come up with the movie it was in and who said it.  Ready?  Here’s the quote –

“Me? I’m scared of everything. I’m scared of what I saw, I’m scared of what I did, of who I am, and most of all I’m scared of walking out of this room and never feeling the rest of my whole life the way I feel when I’m with you.”

Who said it and from what movie?  I’ll post the right answer on Thursday!  Good luck!

Laurel O'Donnell - Author - Author of Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy

It’s Inspirational Quote Monday!  Here’s the quote for the week – “People were created to be loved.  Things were created to be used.  The reason the world is in chaos is because things are being loved and people are being used.” – Unknown

Laurel O'Donnell - Author - Author of Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy

Here’s the first kiss from my romance novel, Midnight Shadow!

Terran seized her shoulders and slammed her up against the blacksmith’s shop.  “Enough!” he roared.  “Enough of your insults.  I have endured them from your father and grandfather, even from Dysen.  But I will not tolerate them from you.”

Bria’s mouth dropped open for only a moment before her shock vanished, replaced by fury.  She opened her mouth to reply, but Terran slammed his open palms on the wall on either side of her.

“I said enough!”

For a long moment, Bria could do nothing but stare at him.  And slowly, a realization came to her.  She was alone with him.  And he was close — very close.  His hands were on either side of her, effectively trapping her.  His lips were but inches from hers.  Her eyes scanned his face, his rugged square jaw, his sensual lips, his dark eyes.  Lightning lit the sky above, but Bria barely noticed except for the reflection in his eyes.  Was that remorse in them?  Or was she imagining it?

He leaned closer to her until his face was beside hers, almost cheek to cheek.  Bria stiffened.  What was he doing?  But she didn’t protest.  His hair brushed and mingled with hers.  “I didn’t mean to kill him, Bria.”

She felt a soft wave of hot breath on her neck, but his words were so soft Bria wasn’t sure he’d spoken them at all.  She turned her head to try to see him, and he shifted his gaze to look into hers with eyes that seemed a little lost.

In the next moment, he was brushing his lips against hers, seeking, exploring.  She was unsure of what to do and found herself frozen, half wanting him to kiss her, half wanting to flee.  His touch was gentle, almost soothing.  Not at all what she had expected.

He pulled slightly back to look into her eyes, studying them as if waiting for her to deny him.

But she couldn’t.  She didn’t want to.

He cupped her neck and pulled her to him, claiming her lips with a more urgent need.  A fierce, reckless desire seared through her.  His arms pulled her tight against the length of his body.

Her world spun out of control.  He coaxed her lips open to his exploration and when his tongue entered her mouth, warring with her own, Bria felt the ground rumble beneath her feet.

He kissed her fully, expertly exploring every part of her mouth.  Then he pulled slowly away, ending the kiss, leaving her weak and confused.

He stepped back, taking his strength and support with him.

Bria’s knees buckled and she almost fell, but he reached out to steady her.  Humiliated and awed by her reaction to his kiss, she expected to look up and see him laughing at her.  But when she gazed into his eyes, she found no laughter there.  He appeared just as baffled as she.

Laurel O'Donnell - Author - Author of Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy

It’s Inspirational Quote Monday!  Here’s the quote for the week – “The philosophy of life is to make the most of it, enjoy the happy moments, challenge the challenges thrown at us, lead a content life and to make a difference to all those around us.” – Unknown

Laurel O'Donnell - Author - Author of Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy

I’m getting my new medieval romance, Angel’s Assassin, ready for release on July 3rd and I need your help!  Please vote for the cover you like the best.  Leave a comment and tell me why. 

http://www.laurel-odonnell.com/angels-assassin-cover-poll.html

Laurel O'Donnell - Author - Author of Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy

Here’s the first kiss from my romance novel, Champion of the Heart!

“I told you before you could not escape,” he whispered hotly.  He held her firmly against the wall, his body pressed against hers.

Jordan knew he spoke the truth, but not the truth as he believed it.  It was the truth as she knew it.  How could she escape from Fox?  And how could her children ever depend on her again if she couldn’t fight to get to them?  She couldn’t hold even a trembling dagger to Fox.  Uselessness, frustration, and helplessness all welled up inside her, spinning and churning until Jordan couldn’t keep her feelings inside.  Warm tears slipped from her eyes and dripped onto her cheeks, and her body trembled with a sob.

Fox placed a finger under her chin and lifted her face to his, studying it for an eternal moment in which Jordan fought hard to bury her feelings.  She lifted her chin slightly, waiting for his scorn, waiting for his berating words.

But when the silence stretched on, she lifted her gaze to his.  She was unprepared for the tenderness she saw in those blue depths.  He lifted a finger to trace the path of one of her tears.  Then he pulled his hand away from her, slowly rubbing the tear in his fingers, staring at the glistening drop for a moment.

His blue eyes seemed confused, and a slight scowl marred his brow as he continued to inspect the tear on his fingertip.  Then he looked at her again and his gaze swept every inch of her face.  A warmth spread throughout her body that suddenly brought her senses to life, sharpening them.  The muscles in his strong chest pressed against her breasts.  The power in his thighs crushed against her.  And something dangerous stirred inside her — something powerful threatened to engulf her.  Her vision dropped to his lips, lips that were so sensual, so entrancing.  Lips that were slowly moving closer and closer.

Jordan didn’t fight him; she wanted to feel his kiss.  She wanted the intoxicating feeling rushing through her body to grow.  His kiss would only make the dangerously delicious sensation run wild inside of her.

And then his lips closed over hers, a startlingly gentle caress, a warm, wet brush of his lips.  But with that simple touch, exhilaration filled Jordan’s body.  It was unlike anything she had ever felt, tender and warm, but filled with a fiery spice all the same.

Then his tongue touched her lips, gently sliding along the length of her mouth, caressing, coaxing.  She felt a jolt igniting its way through her entire body from the tips of her hair to the edges of her toes.  She gasped against his lips and he dropped his hands to the small of her back, pulling her closer to him as he delved into the recesses of her mouth.

Jordan felt herself being swept away by the emotions raging through her.  Her world was spinning on its axis, and she had to cling to Fox as if he were the only thing keeping her from falling.  But the tighter she clung, the greater the waters seemed to swirl about her.

“I won’t let you go, Jordan,” he whispered against her lips.  “Not this time.”

Laurel O'Donnell - Author - Author of Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy

It’s Inspirational Quote Monday!  Here’s the quote for the week – “Instead of complaining that the rose bush is full of thorns, be happy the thorn bush has roses.” - Proverb

Laurel O'Donnell - Author - Author of Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy

Today’s First Kiss Friday featured guest is Niki Burnham, author of contemporary romance Shot Through The Heart.  Welcome Niki!  Here’s the first kiss between Connor and Peyton.

Connor slides the binder from my lap to an open spot on the comforter. His gaze meets mine, and there’s a mischievous sparkle in his eyes as he studies me. “Strange how you can know someone for years and see them nearly every day, yet not have a clue what it is they want more than anything else in the world.”

“I was just thinking the same thing.”

We simultaneously sneak a peek at our joined hands. His skin is darker than mine from all the time he spends on the soccer field. His knuckles are more substantial, his fingers longer and stronger. My heart is racing so fast it makes me wonder if he can feel my pulse. He mutters what I think is, “To hell with it,” but as I glance up to ask what he said, he leans toward me.

In that split second, I know he’s going to kiss me. And I know I’m going to kiss him back.

It’s not my first kiss—I’ve had a couple of boyfriends—but as his lips brush mine, it feels like my first kiss. Or, at least, the way a first kiss should feel. Not in the scary, tentative, am-I-going-to-mess-this-up way, but in the thrilling, heart-stopping, this-is-better-than-I-dreamed way you see in the movies, where the music gets soft and the audience goes silent, mesmerized by the sheer emotional impact of what they’re witnessing on the screen.

We pause, lips barely touching, smiling against each other. We stay like that for a few seconds, motionless, our fingers still intertwined. Then we kiss again, less hesitantly this time, as if we’ve each made the decision that this is worth exploring.

“Everyone at school should know you’re never going to play pro sports,” I whisper a few minutes later as he moves to kiss my cheek. “If they actually take the time to consider it for a minute.”

His breath tickles my ear as he murmurs, “Why’s that?”

“Your name. Strabinowski won’t fit on a jersey. You’re kinda stuck having to look for a different career. So it’s not such a deep, dark secret.”

“Still worth it to confess to you if this is the result.” He gives me the lightest, sweetest kiss, just in front of my ear, then eases back to look me in the eye. “Besides, you’re wrong. Jarrod Saltalamacchia. Pro baseball player. Whole name on the jersey and it’s two letters longer than Strabinowski.”

I raise an eyebrow. “Wow. You learn something new every day.”

“Sure do.”

A deep, needful sound rumbles from the back of his throat as he shifts his body closer to mine on the bed. The sound alone sends me. I melt into him, wrapping my free arm around his waist. He lets go of my other hand to thread his fingers through my hair; the light pull of my scalp causes my stomach to seize and my brain to shut down. As my hands explore the space where his T-shirt meets his jeans, his skin radiates warmth through the thin cotton fabric.

He eases my mouth open with his own, and I decide right then and there that being stupid over a guy—at least while you’re alone together in the quiet of his room—is highly underrated. But only when that guy is Connor Strabinowski.

Laurel O'Donnell - Author - Author of Medieval Romance Novels, Paranormal Romance Novels and Urban Fantasy