Top Ten Tuesday #60: Top Ten Favorite Romantic Scenes
Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and The Bookish.
This week's TTT is a freebie, so I chose to do my Top Ten Favorite Romantic Scenes!
I really hope the excerpts below convince you to give these wonderful books a try!
I really hope the excerpts below convince you to give these wonderful books a try!
"You’re the brightest thing I’ve ever seen, Kaylee. You’re this beautiful ball of fire spitting sparks out at the world, burning fiercely, holding back the dark by sheer will. And I always knew that if I reached out—if I tried to touch you—I’d get burned. Because you’re not mine. I’m not supposed to feel the fire. I’m not supposed to want it. But I do. I want you, Kaylee, like I’ve never wanted anything. Ever. I want the fire. I want the heat, and the light, and I want the burn.”
“I fell into that kiss like Alice into Wonderland, headfirst and flailing, heart pounding the whole time. The world spun around me and still I fell, and I only crashed down to earth again when someone called my name.”
“I fell into that kiss like Alice into Wonderland, headfirst and flailing, heart pounding the whole time. The world spun around me and still I fell, and I only crashed down to earth again when someone called my name.”
(This is absolutely one of my all-time favorite YA book scenes so I HAD to include it for you all. If you haven't started this series, I REALLY hope this scene is enough to convince you.)
"His fingers brushed my cheek, down my neck. The entire masquerade stretched out before me, but my focus tunneled to the man behind me. Hands eased toward my hips and held tight as we spun; my feet lifted off the ground, but even when I thought the wings might carry me into the breeze, he held me tight. My new captor, or rescuer, guided us toward the edge of the crowd. He kept me so close no one could come between us. His hands stayed on my hips and stomach. The music turned slower and deeper, and his fingers curled against silk-covered flesh. I couldn't breathe.The whole dance shifted. Heavy seductiveness replaced the fear, and the gaiety before that. My new partner smoothed my dress down my stomach, down my thigh. When I tilted my head back against his shoulder, warmth billowed against my throat where kissed.
I stiffened and gasped, almost darted away. But his arms tightened, somehow conveying apology, and I remembered he hadn't hurt me, only saved me from the others. I relaxed again and closed my eyes. We'd moved beyond the worst of the crowd, and I trust him not to let us run into anyone. Music filled the space around us, the slivers of air between us. Strings sang, long and warm as gold. Flutes sounded like silver, and clarinets like forests.
This almost wasn't real. It was almost a dream when I tilted my head back again; his mouth lingered just over my skin, and I managed a slight nod. His hesitation lasted a lifetime, but finally his lips brushed the tip of my ear.I shivered deeper into his embrace, pressed my hands over his so he wouldn't let me go. I'd waited my entire lifetime for this.
Eternities passed between kisses down my neck. His free hand traced patterns on my hip and thigh and back up, around my wing. He touched my face and hair, restraint evident in the way he trembled and tried again. A waltz began. His breath caught as he took my hand, spun me away, and then drew me back so we face each other
I stiffened and gasped, almost darted away. But his arms tightened, somehow conveying apology, and I remembered he hadn't hurt me, only saved me from the others. I relaxed again and closed my eyes. We'd moved beyond the worst of the crowd, and I trust him not to let us run into anyone. Music filled the space around us, the slivers of air between us. Strings sang, long and warm as gold. Flutes sounded like silver, and clarinets like forests.
This almost wasn't real. It was almost a dream when I tilted my head back again; his mouth lingered just over my skin, and I managed a slight nod. His hesitation lasted a lifetime, but finally his lips brushed the tip of my ear.I shivered deeper into his embrace, pressed my hands over his so he wouldn't let me go. I'd waited my entire lifetime for this.
Eternities passed between kisses down my neck. His free hand traced patterns on my hip and thigh and back up, around my wing. He touched my face and hair, restraint evident in the way he trembled and tried again. A waltz began. His breath caught as he took my hand, spun me away, and then drew me back so we face each other
...
I turned back to the shrike, but the beak of his mask grazed up my neck and warm lips brushed my ear. Thrills coursed through me, but I didn't move until he started away. I caught his hand. "Wait."
He'd felt right. I knew who I needed him to be, even if the way we'd danced was not how- That kind of passion he reserved for music. Not me.
A cold breeze made me shiver as I tightened my grip on his. Stepped closer. Searched his eyes. His lips tilted up at one corner, like amusement. I'd known, but still, the familiar expression stunned me so much I almost didn't act.
I kissed him.
Rather, I pressed my mouth against his and hoped he wouldn't run. It would probably kill me.
Three long seconds and he only gasped and tightened his hands on my back. Then, with a soft moan, he opened his mouth and kissed me. It wasn't an easy, sweet kiss like I'd imagined my first would be, but frustrated and hungry. That was good, better than easy and sweet, because after everything, I was frustrated and hungry for him, too. His beak scraped my cheek, but I ignored it while the tip of his tongue danced over my lips.”
He'd felt right. I knew who I needed him to be, even if the way we'd danced was not how- That kind of passion he reserved for music. Not me.
A cold breeze made me shiver as I tightened my grip on his. Stepped closer. Searched his eyes. His lips tilted up at one corner, like amusement. I'd known, but still, the familiar expression stunned me so much I almost didn't act.
I kissed him.
Rather, I pressed my mouth against his and hoped he wouldn't run. It would probably kill me.
Three long seconds and he only gasped and tightened his hands on my back. Then, with a soft moan, he opened his mouth and kissed me. It wasn't an easy, sweet kiss like I'd imagined my first would be, but frustrated and hungry. That was good, better than easy and sweet, because after everything, I was frustrated and hungry for him, too. His beak scraped my cheek, but I ignored it while the tip of his tongue danced over my lips.”
"Kiss me," I say, and I don't even have time to blush at the audacity of my words before he slides a hand into the hair at the nape of my neck and tugs me toward him.
Our noses bump, and his laugh sounds breathless. "Sorry."
"Don't be sorry. Hurry up and kiss me."
He tightens his arms around me and touches his lips to mine. His kiss is rough, tastes like lake water... and is the best thing I've ever felt. I press against him, consuming him like I'll never get enough, and when we break apart, my pulse pounds against my ear, and his chest rises and falls like he's been running."
Our noses bump, and his laugh sounds breathless. "Sorry."
"Don't be sorry. Hurry up and kiss me."
He tightens his arms around me and touches his lips to mine. His kiss is rough, tastes like lake water... and is the best thing I've ever felt. I press against him, consuming him like I'll never get enough, and when we break apart, my pulse pounds against my ear, and his chest rises and falls like he's been running."
"My father once told me that I should let my sisters imagine a better life- a better world. And I told him that there was no such thing." I ran my thumb over his mouth, marveling, and shook my head. "I never understood- because I couldn't... couldn't believe that it was even possible." I swallowed, lowering my hand. "Until now."
His throat bobbed. His kiss that time was deep and thorough, unhurried and intent.
I let the dawn creep inside me, let it grow with each movement of his lips and brush of his tongue against mine. Tears prickled beneath my closed eyes.
It was the happiest moment of my life."
His throat bobbed. His kiss that time was deep and thorough, unhurried and intent.
I let the dawn creep inside me, let it grow with each movement of his lips and brush of his tongue against mine. Tears prickled beneath my closed eyes.
It was the happiest moment of my life."
"He took my hand and undid my fist by slowly pulling my fingers away from my palm. Then I let him draw me back out into the storm. My heart beat a steady rhythm against the guitar and the hippies' voices and the rain. I could barely see with the water streaming down my face as Josh pulled me closer to him. He sang along his voice soft.
"How they dance in the courtyard, sweet summer sweat, some dance to remember, some dance to forget."
I was keenly aware of how the downpour plastered my clothes to my body, outlining every curve, and how it did the same to him. And it made me feel reckless and scared. His voice in my ear, the rain, his hands on my waist, mine on his chest. How had this become a thing with us, dancing to slow songs?
"How they dance in the courtyard, sweet summer sweat, some dance to remember, some dance to forget."
I was keenly aware of how the downpour plastered my clothes to my body, outlining every curve, and how it did the same to him. And it made me feel reckless and scared. His voice in my ear, the rain, his hands on my waist, mine on his chest. How had this become a thing with us, dancing to slow songs?
His hand freezes, then he lowers it, grimacing. "Well, come here, then." Not that there's anywhere to go in this tiny cart, but I duck under the crook of his arm, which he wraps around my shoulder. I'm careful to keep my powdered face away from his cloak as I lean into him. His lips press against the top of my head, and I close my eyes.
"I love you too," he whispers in my ear. "Wholly. Madly."
"I love you too," he whispers in my ear. "Wholly. Madly."
"I didn't even remember feeling my feet slap the pavement as I ran
toward him, my eyes never leaving his face. In that moment, every memory
I had of him, every second we had spent together, flashed through my
mind. I rain straight into blood-soaked arms. I threw my arms around his
shoulders, crushing him into myself, pressing my lips to his with a
heat that burned me from the inside out. --------'s assault rifle fell
to the ground with a clutter as he wrapped one arm around my waist,
bringing his other hand up behind my neck. Everything about his lips,
his breathing, the way his body melted into mine left me craving more."
Then he looked up at me and tugged the edge of the towel. I took the
hint and lay down, watching him watching me. He knelt and slowly ran
his hand down my arm, his lids heavy and his lips parted. "Aura... where
can I touch you?"
"Anywhere."
His hand left my arm and drifted to the rise of my hip bone. "And where can I kiss you?"
I took a deep breath, long past ready for the future. "Everywhere."
"Anywhere."
His hand left my arm and drifted to the rise of my hip bone. "And where can I kiss you?"
I took a deep breath, long past ready for the future. "Everywhere."
"Aria rolled up onto her toes. She wrapped her arms around his neck
and kissed him. The soft warmth of his mouth sent a wave of fire through
her. Perry froze, then his arms tightened around her ribs as he
deepened the kiss. They molded together, fitted against each other with
stunning perfection. Aria had never felt as she did now, exploring the
taste of him. Feeling the strength of his arms around her. Inhaling
sweat and leather and woodsmoke. His scents. She felt as though she'd
found a moment of forever. Like this was how they should've always
been."
"I hold the bottle out into the rain and watch as the steady flow slowly fills it. When there is enough, enough that Beth can clearly see, I close the bottle and hand it to her.
She raises a skeptical eyebrow, but accepts the bottle."It's our rain, Beth."
Her head barely shakes to show her confusion while I rub the back of my neck and search for my courage. "I told you I loved you in this rain and when you doubt my words, I want you to look at this bottle."
She raises a skeptical eyebrow, but accepts the bottle."It's our rain, Beth."
Her head barely shakes to show her confusion while I rub the back of my neck and search for my courage. "I told you I loved you in this rain and when you doubt my words, I want you to look at this bottle."
13 comments
I have read 6 of the books in this list but I wasn't a fan of the romance in some of them. I love Aria and Perry so freaking much and the "couple" in If I Die ('scuse me while I melt; Soul Screamers is awesome!!!). I like the romance in the Shade trilogy but I am team Logan :D The Bitter Kingdom is part of my TBR for this month but I've read Crown of Embers a couple of years ago and I have a pretty good idea who said that "I love you". In any case, I love Elisa so much that whoever ends up with her I end up loving as well which meant I already had my heart broken a couple of times in books 1 and 2 of Fire and Thorns.
ReplyDeleteHaraiah @ Random Things In Action
Ahhhh! I was swooning so hard at these, Jess!
ReplyDeleteI have to read that Rachel Vincent series! It sounds so good.
Thanks for making my morning with these romancey scenes! <3
There is nothing like a good, swoony romantic scene, is there? I love those scenes from I'll Meet You There and Dare You To. They are the only books I've read, but I loved both those books.
ReplyDeleteIf I Die, Incarnate, Defiance, Fire and Thorn and UtNS are ALL books on my tbr shelf that I have yet to read. Seeing them on your list here reminded me that I MUST get to them asap! Of course, that scene from ACOTAR is TO DIE FOR. *swoon* Awesome topic choice this week^^ x
ReplyDeleteGahh I so love your post this week. That Incarnate scene had me all swoony and the ACOTAR scene is wonderful too. And of course I adored Kaylee and Tod. Just so many awesome picks!
ReplyDeleteI love these! I loved the scene in Incarnate! I read it every once in awhile when I feel down LOL
ReplyDeleteLe sigh...LOVE the If I Die one! Loved that series! ACOTAR of course! And Under the Never Sky! All faves! Great picks!
ReplyDeleteHere's my Tuesday Post
Have a GREAT day!
Old Follower :)
Books with good romance scenes are fun to read!!
ReplyDeleteHere's the link to my Top Ten Tuesday post for this week: http://captivatedreader.blogspot.com/2015/05/top-ten-tuesday-sexy-male-characters-in.html
Ah this is such a good post! ACOTAR killed me! Especially all the stuff going on with Feyre and Tamlin! I still need to read something by Katie McGarry!!
ReplyDeleteGURL. You are killing me with these. It's bringing back all the feels!
ReplyDeleteI'll Meet You There, Dare You To, Under the Never Sky, Bitter Kingdom, Incarnate... LOVE! I'll be reading Defiance this summer I think! Some of these others I need to check out.
Great list!
I haven't read most of these but such a great topic!
ReplyDeleteAwww I love these picks! I love them too! That Ryan Stone scene. It's seriously one of my all time favorites! Also a lot of these are on my to read list!! need to get to them!
ReplyDeleteSWOONING. Ahhh I loved that part from Under the Never Sky!! The ACOTAR one is so hot ;) Awwww IMYT. That romance was so sweet and adorable and amazing. Awesome post!
ReplyDeleteRachel @ A Perfection Called Books
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