I love writing flirting scenes in my romances. There’s something sensual and erotic about two people engaging in teasing and verbal jousting when the attraction is mutual. Sometimes you can radiate more heat with a few lines of suggestive dialogue than with a paragraph of in-your-face eroticism. Not that there’s anything wrong with that.
I write these encounters in all of my mystery/thrillers, even between characters where I’ve already established a relationship. Take this one, from “Warning Shot,” book three in the Nick Seven series:
Nick brought Felicia’s hand to his mouth and kissed it. “This is one of the reasons I’m glad I have you around. You always keep me focused.”
“Is that the only reason you’re glad I’m around?”
“No, but it’s a long list.”
She moved to Nick’s lap and kissed him while running her fingers through his hair. “I’ve got nothin’ but time, tough guy.”
He caressed her cheek. “You’re resourceful, self-confident, and independent.”
“You just described a Boy Scout. Can’t you do better than that?”
He kissed her. “You’re incredibly hot, passionate about everything, and waking up next to you makes all my teenaged dreams come true.” He paused. “Plus, you make a mean stir-fried shrimp.”
Felicia laughed and lightly smacked his arm. “Is that the best you’ve got? You were always better at foreplay.”
“You make me feel alive and I can’t wait to start every day all over again with you.”
She cupped his cheek and peered into his eyes. “That’s what I was gonna say. It’s kinda hard to explain, but when I first saw you, all that time ago in London, it was like a jolt of electricity went through me. When you quit the agency and I went back to Barbados, I felt this big empty inside, like somethin’ vital had been taken away.”
He traced her jaw with his fingers. “Same thing I felt.”
Then there’s this film noir-type exchange from “Lido Key,” book two in the Vic Fallon series. If this doesn’t put you in mind of films like “Double Indemnity” and “Body Heat,” you probably aren’t a fan.
When Vic locked eyes with Ariel Weston across the bar, there was no escape. He moved to the stool next to hers, drawn in like a marlin hooked by a determined fisherman.
“Excuse me, Miss, but I’m new in town. Could you please direct me to your house?”
She began with a chuckle that escalated into full-blown laughter, then she playfully smacked Vic’s forearm. “That’s so lame, it’s cute!”
“Thank you.”
Her eyes scanned him up and down. “I don’t think I’ve seen you around here before, have I?” she asked in a low, smoky voice.
“No. Do I need a reservation to sit here?”
She laughed again. “A smart-ass. I like that quality in a man. Where are you from, smart-ass?”
“A whole other world. Would you like me to provide references before we go any further?”
She placed her hand on his on top of the bar and locked eyes with him. “I don’t think that’ll be necessary, but since we’re going to be friends, I think I should call you something more formal than smart-ass.”
“Are we going to be friends?”
“Unless you think you already have enough of them.”
“You can never have too many friends. Why don’t you call me Blake?”
“Is that your real name?”
“No, my real name is Vic. I just use Blake to fool people. What should I call you besides totally hot?”
“I like that, but let’s go with Ariel.”
“Pretty name.”
“Thank you. I’m rather attached to it.” She massaged his hand. “I should tell you something, Vic. I’m married to a rich older man, we don’t have any kids and we’ve always had separate bedrooms. He doesn’t really notice if I’m not home, since he’s only there long enough to change clothes before he meets his latest girlfriend. He doesn’t ask me any questions and I don’t grill him about where he drops his pants. Does that bother you?”
“One man’s ignorance is another man’s bliss.”
“Ooh, a clever smart-ass. That’s another quality I like.”
“And we’re just getting started.”
And finally, this is from the romantic comedy, “The Sweet Distraction”:
“I should probably go,” George said. “I’m cutting into your tanning time.”
“Why do you have to run off?” Cookie teased.
“I’m working. Remember?”
“You know what they say about all work and no play.”
“I always make time to play.”
“Like what?”
“Poker, blackjack, the ponies once in a while…”
“Are you good at picking winners?”
“I find it depends on who’s holding the riding crop.”
“Ooh, is that a kinky side coming out of hiding?”
He winked. “I’ll never tell.”
“I like to play, too.”
“What games do you like to play, little girl?”
“Pass-out, strip dominoes, escaped convict and the Warden’s wife…”
“Those are a little out of my league.”
“Maybe you should move up from Little League to the majors. That’s where they play night games.”
“Is this where you ask me if I know how to whistle, then tell me to just put my lips together and blow?”
She raised her sunglasses and looked at him. “I can think of a much better use for your lips.”
If you liked those teasers, check out the full books for more of the same. Happy reading!
