Monday, January 2, 2012

Frankie's No-Kiss fest




I just entered the No-Kiss Blogfest hosted by Frankie Diane Mallis. I thought I'd pass this year, but it's too fun! From its title, you probably get the idea--some sizzling moment that doesn't result in a kiss.

Since I decided to enter moments ago, this is super-fast. I lifted a short scene from a high fantasy novel that is shelved. (painting by Renoir) Hope it tantalizes:

The two men carried Samuel, who was limp as dough, out of the room. Fiona stared at the fire awhile, then stood, stretched, and wandered around out of curiosity. A tapestry covered one wall. It was faded and thread worn, but she admired the skill of the artist who created a lush forest. In its background were snow-peaked mountains, above which circled large birds.

On a side table was a small box with exquisite enameled roses on its lid. Fiona opened it and smiled when it began to play tinkling music. She started to dance by herself, to spin in exuberance, and immediately collided into Brendan, who had returned so quietly she had not heard him come up behind her. She reached out to shut the box, mortified.

“No, leave it open. This music is made for dancing.” He bowed slightly from the waist and held a hand out to her. She was astonished but took it, like any well-bred woman.

He pulled her close, closer than she had ever danced with a man. She could feel the warmth of his body and his breath against her unbound hair. Her heart fluttered. Her cheeks flushed. In fact, heat seemed to spread throughout her.

“You smell like lavender. My favorite,” he said softly. Did his lips brush her ear? He drew her so near she thought a feather would scarce fit between them.

They glided across the gleaming oak floor, again and again. He finally whirled her to a stop next to the music box and shut its lid.

*

That's all, folks. Hope you're stepping lively in 2012!

35 comments:

dolorah said...

Lovely. Dancing is so sensual - even a formal dance.

......dhole

Mia Hayson said...

I felt like I was in the room watching them, it was so vivid!

J.B. Chicoine said...

Doh--I really was hoping for a kiss! (well, not me...you know, Fiona)

Amalia Dillin said...

Ohh. Dancing does me in every time. A perfect no-kiss setting.

Dawn Ius said...

Love this! I agree - dancing can be just as hot as a passionate kiss. Great job.

Michelle Gregory said...

dances are always great for kisses or no kisses.

Tricia J. O'Brien said...

Donna: I still remember those first dances in junior high. Every nerve on fire.

Mia: Why, thank you! After I posted I was sorry I didn't flesh this out a bit. I just blew the dust off and put it up.

Bridget: yeah, she had mixed feelings. I wish I'd put a bit more up but glad you liked it.

Amalia: There is something so sensual about dancing with someone who intrigues you.

Dawn: Yes, it can!

Michelle: couldn't agree more. :)

Christine Danek said...

Oh, how I love the dances leading up to an almost kiss. So nice.

farawayeyes said...

Hi Tricia,nice to meet you. I would definitely take this one off the shelf. Intriguing.

I'll be back.

Anonymous said...

I'm intrigued by this one. So simple and so wonderful. I love the magic of dancing.

Issy said...

Lovely. I love music boxes and oh, the dancing!

Frankie Diane Mallis said...

Love the dancing!!! So glad you could participate!

Tricia J. O'Brien said...

Christine: :D

Thanks farawayeyes. Looking at your profile I see you live on an island. Sounds like paradise. :)

Portrayal: Thank you so much!

Me: You are an enigma who loves music boxes. *dances around room*

Frankie: *waves* Thanks for holding this again. I only wish I'd decided a day sooner and fleshed out this scene, but I'm so glad I joined in. Lots of good reads, and yours was soooooooo good.

Jemi Fraser said...

Nice! I love the feather line - and I bet that kiss isn't too long in coming! :)

Lisa Gail Green said...

Oooh then what happened???? Nice! ;D

Tricia J. O'Brien said...

Jemi: *waves* Actually, it is, but then I'd be giving spoilers if I ever take it off the shelf. :)

Lisa: Oh, thank you. *grins*

Julie said...

The way he ends the moment by shutting the music box...sigh...I vote for an unshelfing. ;)

Liza said...

Oh, so nice! I was on the floor dancing...

Sarah Ahiers said...

ooh i really liked this. I particularly liked the feather not fitting between them line. Great turn of phrase

Tricia J. O'Brien said...

Julie & Liza & Sarah: Thank you all so much!

Donna said...

Ooh. Yes.

Donna Gambale said...

This put me in such a mood to read something historical with lots of tension-filled formal dances! hehe

Golden Eagle said...

I love the way you described the scene--and there was lots of tension between the characters!

Tricia J. O'Brien said...

Donna: :)

DonnaG: So happy to set a mood. ;)

Eagle: Thank you!

Anonymous said...

I love how the dancing almost turned into a kiss--wish it did.

Olivia J. Herrell, writing as O.J. Barré said...

This was beautiful, Tricia. Thanks for sharing it.

that rebel, Olivia

Tricia J. O'Brien said...

Hi Medeia! Brendan is pretty persuasive...;)

Olivia: *gins* Oh, thank you!

1000th.monkey said...

Cute :)

She must feel pretty comfortable in that house to start dancing on her own... since she's unfamiliar with the music in the music box, I know it's not her own... so whose house is it?

Cynthia Chapman Willis said...

What do you mean "that's all"? I want to read more. : ) Nice job!

Tricia J. O'Brien said...

Monkey: The house is Brendan's and she doesn't know him, at all. She only relaxed to dance because it's been the first quiet in a stormy journey, but all is not as it seems. ;)

Cynthia: Oh, thank you!

Bish Denham said...

LOVE it! Such a wonderfully abrupt ending.

Sarah Laurence said...

Very sweet - I like how the music box framed the scene.

Happy New Year!

Angela Ackerman said...

Nicely done! I think that the 'almost' moments are the best....the reader wants it, expects it...but no, no payoff, not yet!

Hope you had a great holiday, Pat!

Angela @The Bookshelf Muse

Tricia J. O'Brien said...

Bish & Sarah: thank you. it's the tiniest snippet, which left out the undertones (darker than it seems, actually)

Angela: Thank you, too. I had a pretty quiet holiday but quite fine as that goes. I hope yours was just right. :)

LynNerdKelley said...

An excellent excerpt, Tricia. I hope Fiona won't be shelved for too long because I love her story!

"Stepping lively in 2012," I like that! Happy New Year!