Is This A Kissing Book?

Since a main topic of conversation this month on The Prosers seems to be Why We Write, I thought I'd share one of my reasons. 

I keep writing so that I can write the Good Parts. One of my favorite Good Parts is the Almost Kiss. So far this week, I've written two Almost Kisses. I'm REALLY hoping they still fit into the story line of the collaborative novel somewhere. I'm only sharing one of the scenes today, but let me tell you, the other scene makes me smile. (It's way too long to post here, and besides, I'm attempting to blackmail Sheena.) J 

The other Almost Kiss I'm sharing is from a story that I thought was completely unsalvageable, but as I looked through it today, I fell in love with it all over again.

 (FYI: I'm sure you'll figure out quickly that both of these scenes are written in magical worlds. But sometimes it's nice to know in advance.)

From the chapter I'm writing right now:

..."I read a book like this once. If we were in that book, this would be the moment you would tell me how dangerous you are and that I should stay away. Are you going to do that?" 

     The space between us widened imperceptibly, and I mentally kicked myself. I can't even get the dream-James to kiss me. "Do you want me to be dangerous?" he asked, and his voice was huskier than it is in real life. 

     I cleared my throat and attempted a smile. "It was a very popular book." His gaze caught mine and held it, and I swear I forgot how to speak. When I finally managed, my voice was barely a whisper. "No. I don't." 

    James smiled slowly and murmured, "Then I'm not dangerous at all." His gaze moved from my eyes to my mouth. "You've never been safer than you are at this moment." His lips were mere millimeters from mine when the sky broke apart... 

From Nanowrimo 2011:

     ...For one crazy moment Amye thought he was going to kiss her. Instead, he put his lips to her ear and whispered, "Forrest is here." 

     She didn't even gasp, though she wanted to. It took all of her effort to not move. Emotions swirled out of control inside her, and although part of her wanted to sit up and scan the walls for some sign of Forrest, far too much of her was distracted by Stephen's proximity. 

     Was this pretended dalliance really necessary? If Stephen knew how distracting she found it, he would never risk his precious prison escape in such a way. 

     She forced her mind back to Stephen's words. Forrest was here. Probably watching them right now. How did she feel about that? It was one thing for Stephen and the other prisoners to see her looking so filthy and in prison garb, but it was totally different for anyone else to see her now. Did it matter that it was Forrest? She was so completely befuddled that she couldn't tell.
Finally she whispered back. "Where?" 

     "He's one of the extra guards." He looked into her eyes intently, and she stared back, her pulse racing. His face was only inches from hers, and she kept forgetting to breathe. Long seconds spiraled past. "You really like him, don't you?" he asked in a low voice. 

     "Who?" she whispered, mesmerized by the way his lips moved. Comprehension caught up to her seconds too late, and she put her hands on his chest and pushed him. He rolled away from her, an enigmatic smile on his face...