A Kiss to Build a SCENE On with Tina Pinson

by | Feb 25, 2010 | Fiction Book Reviews | 7 comments

Nonverbal communication. We all use it, even without a touch. A look, a twitch of the lips, a tilt of a smile or frown; a long steady breath released into a sigh or a gasp; fingers to the throat, wetting lips with a slow…or fast wisp of the tongue.

It’s that little bit of info when you’re on the phone with someone who says, “I’m fine.”, but you can tell by the tone of their voice that they’re not. Their melody of speech can give it away, fast, slow, halted.

Why would you ask someone if they just woke up? Because something in the tenor of their voice gives you a hint…without them actually saying so.

Sometimes the most profound things ever communicated are done without words. A kiss, and all the lovely things associated with the romance surrounding a kiss, is a prime example. To demonstrate this truth, welcome Tina Pinson. You can find out more about Tina’s books at www.tinapinson.com.. Now, I’ll turn it over to Tina 🙂

The Look of Love

The look of Love is in your eyes, the look your heart can’t disguise

The look of Love is saying so much more than words can ever say

And what my heart has heard, well it takes my breath away…

Songwriters: Burt Bacharach & Hal David

Pepper asked the question — What do you think makes a good kissing scene

After much consideration, I would have to say it’s the dance that takes place before the kiss. It’s the age old song that lovers dance to.

Interestingly enough this song cannot be heard. Its rhythm is carried in the coursing of the blood, its movement and clarity is louder than the most beautiful concerto played by a full symphony.

Strange, but sometimes you don’t even need the lips to touch to know someone has been kissed.

What you say, that can’t be.

Au Contrare.

Imagine…He’s standing across the room; his gaze sweeps the crowd and finds her. She shivers and looks up to find him watching. She tries to look away, but she’s held by invisible cords. There is smoldering warmth in his eyes, he touches her lips and caresses the tender skin along her cheek, neck and shoulder all without saying a word, all without a single touch. Her skin heats under his perusal and flushes rose. His brows arch, a soft grin plays on his lips when he nods his head. She puts her hand to her cheek to cool herself. Her eyes fill with an unspoken desire, her lips part in a soft sigh. She takes a deep breath and runs her tongue against her lips.

Those simple movements embolden him to continue the dance they’ve begun.

He moves closer.

Well… I think you get the gist of what I’m saying.

Think of movies like Pride and Prejudice w/ Kiera Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen

 They didn’t kiss till the end of the movie, and even then it was chaste little kisses to the forehead and cheeks before he moved in on her lips

Still you probably sighed. I know I did. Why? Because you watched the dance throughout the movie. You saw the way he scorched her lips with his just by the look in his eyes. You felt him caress her skin without putting a hand on her.                                                          

You knew he wanted her, loved her. And you probably wanted to be her.

That is the dance before the kiss. And if choreography is right, you don’t have to see their lips touch to know that they’ve shared their souls.

With that in mind, here’s my Kissing Scene. Let’s hope this choreographer got the dance steps right.

This is a scene from When Shadows Fall. Matthew and Rebekah are on their way to Oregon. It’s her birthday and he wants her to be his wife in more than name.

He’s given her a couple of gifts and is down to the last two. The most important.

… She held her chin up waiting for a kiss, it never came. His arms dropped from around her and he rose to stand, leaving her alone on the cot. Her gaze followed him, filled with disappointment. Matthew suppressed a smile as he bent to blow out the lantern, the moon high there was no need for the light.

“What are you doing?” she exclaimed, blinking to adjust to the change in light.

Matthew took her hand into his own. “Mrs. Cavanaugh, you look lovely in the moonlight,” he whispered. “Are you ready for your second gift?”

“Yes.” She tilted her chin upward, her shoulder hitched.

“Will you dance with me?”

“I guess,” she said after some hesitation. Aided by his hand, she rose slowly and found herself in his arms. “I’m an awful dancer,” she declared.

“Who knows that better than me? I danced with you when you were twelve?” He laughed at the memory of the party where she’d stepped on his feet.

She laughed with him. “Yet you still want to put yourself through the torture?”

“Anything for you, Darling,” he whispered his lips against her hair. “Besides, you weren’t wearing your green dress and I think it’s time we make that dream come true too.”

“Oh, Matthew.” She laid her head on his shoulder. “I hate to tell you this. But there is no fancy ballroom and there is no music.” She pushed a box with her foot. “There’s barely room to move.”

“Why, Mrs. Cavanaugh,” he scolded playfully. “Who says this isn’t a ballroom? I can=t see enough to say it’s not. Can’t you hear the music?”

“No.”

“I can hear it, Becca.” The mischief was gone from his voice, replaced by a soft caress. “I hear it every time I=m with you.” He stepped back and taking her hand gently, raised it to his lips. He kissed it softly before he laid it, palm down, over his heart. Then he drew her close until the space disappeared between them. “Dance with me and let me show you the music.”

###

Words were lost as he twirled her around the back of the wagon. Her hand on his heart, her head on his shoulder, she danced with the man of her dreams. Each time she closed her eyes she could almost see the opulent ballroom that surrounded them. Until, even when she opened them, it was there.

She could see the chandeliers, and the ornate chairs lining the room. Light emanated from the fireplace, the glow and warmth of it circled the room, illuminating the darkness.

How long they danced, she didn’t know. But somewhere in the veil of dreams she too heard the soft sweet tones of music. Rich and deep, they kept time with the beating of the heart beneath her hand.

They danced on. Rebekah hoped the song would never end. She opened her eyes when Matthew, arms never leaving her body, moved to stand behind her.

“Are you ready for your third gift?” He leaned over and whispered in her ear. His breath touched her skin, sending a tingle up her down her neck. She shivered at the closeness of his lips.

“There’s more?” she whispered in astonishment. She took a deep breath to slow the racing of heart and started to turn. He held her.

“I hope this will be the most wonderful gift of all.” He ran his chin along the side of her neck warming her blood.

Rebekah shivered as a million tiny fingers danced on her skin. She looked around the wagon. “I don’t see anything else.”

“You will, my love.” His lips lingered on the skin at the back of her neck. “First there’s something precious I have to unwrap. And it has to be done very carefully.”

Thinking she missed something, Rebekah looked around the wagon once more. She shook her head. “Matthew, I don’t see….”She started to turn again. This time he helped her. Moving her till she faced him. “Just what is it you have to unwrap?”she asked, gazing into his eyes.

The arms that encircled her tightened their embrace. Bending until his lips were so close to hers they seemed to breathe together, he whispered her answer. Those tiny fingers doubled in strength and number as they ran wildly over her body in a gentle caress when he said. “You.”

Hope you enjoyed the excerpt.  Thanks for letting me share my kiss scene.

Look for Tina Pinson’s books In the Manor of the Ghost June 2010 and Touched by Mercy December 2010 through Desert Breeze Publishing.

Wow Tina, gotta love a guy who doesn’t go for instant gratification, but expresses the treasure of this moment more than just the act.  BEAUTIFUL. He’s already a favorite hero for me and your book isn’t out until July! I guess I’ll have to release my desire for instant gratification and learn from Matthew’s example. And what a good reminder, Tina, that love is so much more than the kiss, it’s a blending of emotions, hopefully spirits, and unadulterated pleasure in that person, plus much more than words can ever express.

Thanks so much for sharing.

Kissing Quote for the Day:

With a kiss let us set out for an unknown world.

–    Alfred de Musset

Inspirational Quote for the Day:

5-6 God’s love is meteoric,
      his loyalty astronomic,
   His purpose titanic,
      his verdicts oceanic.
   Yet in his largeness
      nothing gets lost;
   Not a man, not a mouse,
      slips through the cracks.

 7-9 How exquisite your love, O God!
      How eager we are to run under your wings,
   To eat our fill at the banquet you spread
      as you fill our tankards with Eden spring water.
   You’re a fountain of cascading light,
      and you open our eyes to light. “Psalm 36:5-8

7 Comments

  1. sherrinda

    Wow! That was…spicy good! I loved it!!!! There is something so appealing about a man willing to wait and delay his wants in order to woo his lady properly. 🙂

    Reply
    • Tina Pinson

      Appreciate it, Sherrinda,
      Matthew is one of my favorite characters for that very reason. I see him as a man trying to love with God’s heart.

      Reply
  2. Julie

    Okay, Tina, that is possibly the most romantic scene I have ever read WITHOUT a lip lock!!! Sigh … VERY NICE, my friend!

    Hugs,
    Julie

    Reply
    • Tina Pinson

      Thanks Julie, that is a high compliment coming from one so well know for her romance.

      Reply
  3. Casey

    Wow! Loved it and I can’t wait for this book to come out! It has to go on my TBR stack!

    Reply
    • Tina Pinson

      Casey,
      thanks for cpming by and leaving a comment. I can hardly wait for this book to come out myself, because I love the characters so much. Unfortunately, I have to wait on this story. But hopefully you’ll find the Heroes in my upcoming books endearing.

      Reply
  4. Renee

    I just have one thing to say, “I want this book NOW!!!!” That was a seriously romantic scene and like Julie said there wasn’t even a lip lock! Wow!!!

    Reply

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Meet Pepper

Subscribe to Blog

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This