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Hero's First Kiss

Since we're talking about first kisses this month, I figured I post the first kiss scene from Hero. The problem with the first kisses I've written is that they're, well, let's just say I had to clean it up a bit for this particular blog. But I think you'll still get the general idea.

To set the scene, Trag and Micayla have been denying the attraction they feel for one another, but as the tagline says, "She's the last of her kind... and the only one for him."

Everyone is counting on them to mate, but both of them are resisting it to the bitter end. To give you an idea of just how long they've been denying the attraction, this scene falls near the end of Chapter 13. They've just left a discussion with some of their friends where it has come to light that, with the exception of Kyra, who is now his brother's mate and for whom Trag is still carrying a torch, Trag has only done the deed with hookers. The inference is made that he can only get it out of pity, or if he pays for it.

Micayla knows for a fact that the hookers never charge Trag, but having hissed at him at first sight, what she feels for him isn't clear, compounded by the fact that she's had an overwhelming urge to bite him ever since. However, what she doesn't realize, as a Zetithian woman raised on Earth with no knowledge of her own species' mating habits, is that hissing at Trag and wanting to bite him is highly significant. . . .

As their eyes met, Micayla felt her mouth watering and practically had to bite her tongue to keep from hissing. If he moved or said a word, she knew she’d jump up from her seat and sink her teeth into him. Suddenly, it didn’t seem like such a bad idea—quite pleasurable, in fact. She felt her upper lip beginning to slide up to reveal her fangs and could almost taste his blood…

Then she realized that snarling at him probably wasn’t the best move at the time—not when she was trying to be supportive. Kyra didn’t love him—and didn’t need his love—not when she already had Tychar. Trag deserved more than her pity. He really needed to let her go.

Kyra was protesting that she had meant no such thing, but Micayla ignored her as she got up and crossed the room to stand squarely in front of Trag. They were almost exactly the same height; she didn’t even have to lift her head to look straight into his fierce green eyes. “Hey, Trag,” she said gently. “Got a minute? I think we need to go for a run or something. You know, to work off a little steam?”

His eyes widened as his jaw dropped. “Uh, yeah, sure, Mick,” he said. “Whatever you want.”


Glancing sideways at her as they walked down the corridor, Trag still didn’t fully understand what had just happened. “You didn’t have to do that,” he said. “I’m a big boy. I can take a little heat.”

“Who says I did it for you?” she said, staring straight ahead.

“Well, it sure seemed that way to me,” he said roundly. “Nobody was questioning your sex appeal.”

“Oh? Is that what it was?”

“Well, yeah,” Trag said, beginning to question it himself, “wasn’t it?”

“Not really. I think it was more a matter of you being your own man.” With a backward glance, Micayla added, “She doesn’t own you, Trag. You can do whatever you want. You don’t have to answer to her—and you don’t have to please her either. You can do as many Neriks as you want.”

“Don’t believe I’d care for that, actually,” Trag said thoughtfully. “It was okay once, but—”

Micayla gave an exasperated snort. “You do see my point, don’t you?”

“Well, maybe,” Trag began.

“She doesn’t love you, Trag,” Micayla said earnestly. “She loves your brother. I’m sure she’s fond of you, but—”

“She may not love me, but at least she’s never hissed at me,” Trag said. His tone was careless, but he followed it with a careful glance to gauge her reaction. Something told him it was the right thing to say, but he wasn’t completely sure…

She reacted all right; it stopped her right in her tracks. “Dammit, Trag! I said I was sorry! Are you going to keep throwing that in my face forever?”

“Maybe,” Trag said with a nonchalant shrug. “Let’s just say it made a big impression on me.”

“Impression, huh?” she echoed. “Impression? I’ll give you an impression…”

Trag had one brief moment to brace himself before she sprang at him with a snarl and sank her teeth into his shoulder.


Trag tasted like hot, molten sex—the tang of his blood, the salty flavor of his sweat—and as Micayla inhaled the pleasing aroma of his skin, she was sure he’d knock her on her ass, but he didn’t. Against all odds, he began purring.

The vibrations seemed to settle into her chest as she licked the wound she’d made, and suddenly, she didn’t just want to bite him and lick him, she wanted to devour him… pull him in and make him part of her.

Trag pushed her against the stone wall of the corridor, his eyes glowing like green embers. Licking his lips, he leaned in slowly and kissed her, but unlike the other times with other men, Micayla actually felt pleased by it and growled her approval. Desire washed over her like a tsunami. Her nipples tingled as they hardened against his chest, and as his tongue delved into her mouth, instead of feeling invaded she reveled in it; he was hot and delicious and sent flames racing through her body. The more she inhaled his scent and felt the vibrations of his purr, the more aware she became of the place between her thighs—a place that had previously felt empty and barren. As his kiss deepened, her body began to respond, aching with a need too fierce and overwhelming to be denied. Suddenly, she felt his erection pressing into her stomach, a pressure that filled her with passion and made her long to rip off his clothing with her teeth, baring his body for her to feast upon. She’d already seen his sex. Now she knew what she wanted to do with it.

Don't forget, there's a contest going on around here this month. Post a comment for a chance to win a stack of books by the Casablanca Authors!

Hero is currently in the running for Best Book of 2010 on LASR. Trag and Micayla would greatly appreciate your vote!

And, one lucky commenter on today's blog post will win an advance copy of Virgin, which is due out in June! Winner to be announced next Wednesday.

Comments

  1. NO COMMENTS YET? HEY! Yah-Yahs, what's keeping everybody?!

    You know, when I found "Slave" on the bookstore shelf, it caught me right from the first sentence.

    Warrior, Rogue, Outcast [that one made me cry], Fugitive . . . and now Hero. These are six men who REALLY know what that song 'Against All Odds' is about.

    Next comes "Virgin". Considering what these Zetithians are like . . . I gotta figure this guys been in a coma since he was like, eight years old?

    You go girl.

    An Olde Soul

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  2. Cheryl, you are my most recommended author---I can hardly wait to read VIRGIN!!! I go back, every now and then, and just read through the whole series, from beginning to end...PLEASE consider me, as I lIe here in my battered body and read to keep my mind off the pain, as a contender for the ARC of VIRGIN???

    (As you can see, I'm not above whimpering in my hopes to score the ARC!!) I PROMISE I'll send it on to the next person in line for it, if you just stick a post-a-note inside it with their name and address!!!

    Love the WHOPPER, too!

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  3. Cheryl, great excerpt! Love the dynamic between Trag and Micayla.

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  4. Great excerpt. I really like this hero and heroine. There are sparks in more ways than one.

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  5. Meow! That was an intense excerpt! And to think that you'd cleaned it up...it's a wonder the cover doesn't catch on fire with that much heat behind it.

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  6. Loved Hero! I need to get my hands on the rest of the series. Which one has the rock star hero in it? I need that one next!

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  7. wow.... thanks for a chance to win. :]

    quimbayai@hotmail.com

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  8. That was so delicious Cheryl. Good Luck on the LASR voting.

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  9. Thanks, Olde! Dax hasn't been in a coma, he just hasn't found the right girl.

    I see you're a woman of few words, Kristina, but WOW is a good word, and I thank you!

    Aw, Suzy, you really know how to tug at my heartstrings! I hope my guys can keep your mind of the pain!

    Thanks, Tracey, Terry, and Anita! Glad you enjoyed it.

    Meow back at you, Carolyn! Actually, that scene is pretty tame in comparison to some of the others....

    Thanks, Olivia! Rogue is the one who turns out to be a rockstar, but he doesn't do much of that kind of rocking for most of the book. Just the other kind...

    Thanks, Mary G. Not sure I'll stay in the lead for long, but it's been fun!

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  10. Oh my goodness. I enjoy when enemies have so much anger between them that it spills over into passion. I like the sparks that are created. Love that first kiss scene!

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  11. Yowza was that ever hot!!

    This is definitely going on my TBR list.

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  12. OMG, intense and hot! I haven't read this series but now I wonder what I've been missing.

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  13. Great excerpt, Cheryl...a real scorcher!!!

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  14. Oh Cheryl, I think I might have to pull out my CSC books and do a re-read too. Then I'll be more than ready to tackle Virgin. I'm with Olde, where has this guy been?

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  15. Hi StaceyDM, Venus, Lisa F,& Colleen! Glad you enjoyed the kiss. There's more where that came from!

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  16. LOL! It's a long story, Lisa. About 94,000 words or so...

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  17. Whew! That was great! I really like your heroine. She's very take-charge.

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  18. I see Ms. Suzy is not above guilt tripping you Cat Master...and in this case, I'm honestly ok with it because our friend has been in pain for a long time now. Distraction would be good for her and just in case, I'm also going to give her my address;)

    You already know I love the whole series and that my favorite so far is Fugitive.

    @Suzy. I'll second that WHOOPER mama saun. *grin*

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  19. Umm...I think I may need a glass of wine after that excerpt! And that was toned down? I definitely have to get my hands on this one!!

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  20. Now, That's a kiss!!! And I can't wait to read the next installment and that's Virgin. Because The Virgin Zetithian has alot time and Joy to give and catch up and live up to the reputations of the previous Cats. So bring it on.

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  21. Oh, I almost won this book once but got sent the wrong one by mistake (sigh). Besides the book sounding wonderful, what a great cover!!

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  22. @Shana. Micayla was my first female Zetithian. I'm so glad you liked her!

    @CindyL. I just changed a few words here and there. You know, the ones you can't say on TV?

    @Donna. Never fear! Dax makes up for lost time and then some!

    @catslady. *sigh* I really loved this cover. I think it's my favorite one of all. Sorry to hear you got the wrong book! Maybe you'll be luckier this time!

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  23. Love the cover of this book, sounds like a fabulous read.

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  24. I really loved the excerpt!! I need to read alot more!

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  25. Great first kiss, Cheryl. I'm sure he's not the only one purring.

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  26. Go for it, Judy!

    @Robin. Yep, Micayla purrs too, but not until...afterward. LOL!

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  27. great excerpt. That just draws you in and makes you want to read more. Congrats on the nomination. :-) Very cool. :-)


    Larena

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  28. Great excerpt, Cheryl - hot hot hot! LOVE that last line!

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  29. MEOW! I loved this book--as I do all of your books. Can't wait to read "Virgin". Yummy.

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  30. I love all your Zetithian men, Cheryl, as you already know! I can't wait to read Virgin! Like you always say... 'Once you go cat, you'll never go back!' So true!

    I would add my address under Nancy's to give to Suzy, but you know me, Cheryl... I want my very own copy to devour! Passing on the book after I've finished reading it to someone else is not an option for me! I'll go buy everyone else their very own copy, but I'm keeping mine! I love my Cats!

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  31. @Noelle. Actually, I'd have to have my very own copy as well:)

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  32. I *love* the Cat Star series, honestly I can't wait for Virgin!

    Hero was such a wonderful addition to the series (the chemistry between Micayla and Trag was wonderful!) I think I've recommended this series to all of my friends.

    Love the theme of the post today, sadly I'm still waiting for my first kiss at 24 but until it happens at least I can dream of a Zetithian ;)

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  33. Thanks to everyone who commented today. I'm glad there are so many of you anxiously awaiting Virgin. I'll post a winner next week and get the ARC out to you as soon as I get my hands on one.

    And Sheila, I hope you get your first kiss soon!

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  34. Oh my, imagine all that steam flowing out of them! Thepages must be burning up, lol.

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  35. I love the post. I haven't read these books yet but love the whole theme. They are all on my TRL. Thanks for sharing.
    Carol L
    Lucky4750@aol.com

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  36. @Carol L & Pam P. Thanks! Yep, lots more heat in there. Six books worth and counting!

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  37. OMGoodness I've got to read the heated version of this!! Thank you for sharing, I'm going to check out the rest of the series.

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  38. Hi Cheryl
    I just got hooked on your books. Nice to have a backlist to go through.

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  39. Fanning myself here over your excerpt, Cheryl! Bravo!

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  40. I decided I couldn't wait to read The Hero and went out and got this one - it just sounded too good!

    catslady5(at)aol.com

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  41. How mean of my computer to hide this feed on me. I've been following this series since Slave was an ARC. Long live the Kitties.

    Bookdragon3@yahoo dot com

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  42. I came back to post the winner this morning, and I see we did have a few latecomers, which is pretty cool. Thanks for all of the great comments!

    But now to announce the winner.

    I totaled up the number of comments, minus my own, and had my friend Terri pick a number between 1 and 35, which means that Cindy L is the winner!

    Email me at cheryl.brooks52@yahoo.com with your mailing address and I'll send the ARC of Virgin out to you as soon as I get them.

    If I don't hear from you by the time I get the ARCs, Cindy L, the win will go to Suzy, who is the first runner-up, and she will get the prize.

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