--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: He smiled. Hesitant at first, then a…" description: "\"“He smiled. Hesitant at first, then a blazing grin broke through that made my heart stop. I recovered and grinned back and went to throw my arms around..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/881/kelley-armstrong-581_gaze_he-smiled-hesitant-at-first-then-a-blazi_336069.png" --- # He smiled. Hesitant at first, then a blazing grin broke… ![“He smiled. Hesitant at first, then a blazing grin broke through that made my heart stop. I recovered and grinned back and went to throw my arms around his neck, then stopped, blushing. Before I could pull back, he caught my elbows and put my arms around his neck and pulled me into a hug.” quote by Kelley Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/881/kelley-armstrong-581_gaze_he-smiled-hesitant-at-first-then-a-blazi_336069.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/881/kelley-armstrong-581_gaze_he-smiled-hesitant-at-first-then-a-blazi_336069.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/881/kelley-armstrong-581_gaze_he-smiled-hesitant-at-first-then-a-blazi_336069.png) > ““He smiled. Hesitant at first, then a blazing grin broke through that made my heart stop. I recovered and grinned back and went to throw my arms around his neck, then stopped, blushing. Before I could pull back, he caught my elbows and put my arms around his neck and pulled me into a hug.”” [Kelley Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelley-armstrong/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A spontaneous, affectionate moment can shift from hesitation to intense connection, highlighting the power of physical closeness. **In simple terms:** Physical closeness can quickly deepen connection. Key Takeaway Allow spontaneous affection to build trust. Themes intimacy spontaneity connection Mood romantic thoughtful Type narrative emotional When to use this quote - first dates - reconciliations - comfort zones Key Concepts body language emotional intimacy trust building Questions to Reflect On - When is a hug appropriate? - How does body language affect trust? A Different Perspective Physical gestures may be misread without clear consent. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet ## Related quotes > [And now we can't," I said. "Which sucks, but the main thing is that your dad's alive." He smiled, hesitant at first, then a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelley-armstrong/and-now-we-can-t-i-said-which-sucks-but-the-main-thing-is-that-your/) [Kelley Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelley-armstrong/) > [“Still I pulled her into a hug, because I knew she let me off the hook on purpose and yeah, I'm a guy and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nyrae-dawn/still-i-pulled-her-into-a-hug-because-i-knew-she-let-me-off-the-hook/) [Nyrae Dawn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nyrae-dawn/) > [“I reached for his other hand, which he quickly accepted and I pulled him up into a hug. I didn't know what the other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madison-parker/i-reached-for-his-other-hand-which-he-quickly-accepted-and-i-pulled/) Madison Parker > [“Linc, I have no idea what you're talking about. I actually thought that was kind of unbelievable as far as kisses go." I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-shirvington/linc-i-have-no-idea-what-you-re-talking-about-i-actually-thought-that/) [Jessica Shirvington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-shirvington/) > [“She pulled me into a hug and I squeezed her so tight we lost our breaths. "I love you, Soph." She pulled back from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-doyle/she-pulled-me-into-a-hug-and-i-squeezed-her-so-tight-we-lost-our/) [Catherine Doyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-doyle/) > [“I looked up at him and smiled, finally ok with how I felt and said "Love You." He grinned from ear to ear, chuckling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/candace-knoebel/i-looked-up-at-him-and-smiled-finally-ok-with-how-i-felt-and-said/) [Candace Knoebel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/candace-knoebel/) > [Amy sat back and grinned. "You just smiled." That was definitely something else she could get used to. Of course, he frowned immediately. "I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cindy-gerard/amy-sat-back-and-grinned-you-just-smiled-that-was-definitely/) [Cindy Gerard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cindy-gerard/) > [“He grinned a slow, lazy grin and nipped at my lips. I smiled softly; he looked so young and beautiful and carefree in that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adriane-leigh/he-grinned-a-slow-lazy-grin-and-nipped-at-my-lips-i-smiled-softly-he/) [Adriane Leigh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adriane-leigh/) > [“He smiled at her and gave a reassuring wink. He couldn't help himself. Chance figured old habits die hard, but the fact was when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-morgan/he-smiled-at-her-and-gave-a-reassuring-wink-he-couldn-t-help-himself/) [Alex Morgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-morgan/) > [“I looked back into his eyes. "You're married?" "Yeah," he confirmed. "She's lucky," I whispered and he grinned his shit-eating grin again. "Sorry, Tess,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristen-ashley/i-looked-back-into-his-eyes-you-re-married-yeah-he-confirmed-she-s/) [Kristen Ashley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristen-ashley/) > [I slid closer, feeling his arms close around me, tightening. Our lips touched-- "Derek?" his dad called. "Chloe?" Derek let out a growl. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelley-armstrong/i-slid-closer-feeling-his-arms-close-around-me-tightening-our-lips/) [Kelley Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelley-armstrong/) > [So," I said. "Seems you're going to be stuck with me for a while." He smiled. A real smile that lit up his whole…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelley-armstrong/so-i-said-seems-you-re-going-to-be-stuck-with-me-for-a-while-he/) [Kelley Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelley-armstrong/) > [“Best surprise ever.” I whispered in his face. Then I leaned in and kissed him hard and deep like it was the last kiss…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/k-larsen/best-surprise-ever-i-whispered-in-his-face-then-i-leaned-in-and/) [K. Larsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/k-larsen/) > [“There must be a reason to smile, Miss François. Will you supply one?" It was Daisy's turn to stare. For a long moment they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jaime-jo-wright/there-must-be-a-reason-to-smile-miss-fran-ois-will-you-supply-one-it/) [Jaime Jo Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jaime-jo-wright/) > [“Inej frowned. “I thought you and Nina chose four outbreak sites on the Staves.” Kaz straightened his cuffs. “I also had her stop at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/inej-frowned-i-thought-you-and-nina-chose-four-outbreak-sites-on-the/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) ## More by Kelley Armstrong > [So," I said. "Seems you're going to be stuck with me for a while." He smiled. A real smile that lit up his whole…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelley-armstrong/so-i-said-seems-you-re-going-to-be-stuck-with-me-for-a-while-he/) [Kelley Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelley-armstrong/) > [“He turned my way, and I was so engrossed in my thoughts that I didn't notice for a second. Then I realized I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelley-armstrong/he-turned-my-way-and-i-was-so-engrossed-in-my-thoughts-that-i-didn-t/) [Kelley Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelley-armstrong/) > [when times are tough, the weak bail and the tough get creative.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelley-armstrong/when-times-are-tough-the-weak-bail-and-the-tough-get-creative/) [Kelley Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelley-armstrong/) > [Nuh-uh. No deals with the devil. I’ve learned my lesson on that one. ~Jaime Vegas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelley-armstrong/nuh-uh-no-deals-with-the-devil-i-ve-learned-my-lesson-on-that-one/) [Kelley Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelley-armstrong/) > [“Another night then,' Mom said. 'Maybe on the weekend we can have a barbecue and invite your sister.' 'Or,' I said turning to Rafe,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelley-armstrong/another-night-then-mom-said-maybe-on-the-weekend-we-can-have-a/) [Kelley Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelley-armstrong/) > [Believe me, I have better things to do than sabotage your friendships. No one else's world revolves around you, Cassandra." -Paige to Cassandra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelley-armstrong/believe-me-i-have-better-things-to-do-than-sabotage-your-friendships/) [Kelley Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelley-armstrong/) > [Reviews are great. I can read negative reviews and say, 'You know that point they made... they were dead on.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelley-armstrong/reviews-are-great-i-can-read-negative-reviews-and-say-you-know-that/) [Kelley Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelley-armstrong/) > [When a series is doing well, it's very tempting to keep writing it, even when the creative well is drying up. It's tempting because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelley-armstrong/when-a-series-is-doing-well-it-s-very-tempting-to-keep-writing-it/) [Kelley Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelley-armstrong/) > [You bat your baby blues at tall, dark, and gruesome, and next thing you know, he's trailing you like a lost puppy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelley-armstrong/you-bat-your-baby-blues-at-tall-dark-and-gruesome-and-next-thing-you/) [Kelley Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelley-armstrong/) > [With no chance to take off, I had to play my role, searching for the rendezvous spot, which gave me the excuse to look…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelley-armstrong/with-no-chance-to-take-off-i-had-to-play-my-role-searching-for-the/) [Kelley Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelley-armstrong/) > [When I glanced at the chair, it started to shake. I’d like to think it was scared of me, but I rarely invoked that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelley-armstrong/when-i-glanced-at-the-chair-it-started-to-shake-i-d-like-to-think-it/) [Kelley Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelley-armstrong/) > [“Nonsense, Chloe. I certainly hope you aren't afraid of cemeteries" "Um, no" Tori said. "It's the bodies buried in them that worry her. Uh,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelley-armstrong/nonsense-chloe-i-certainly-hope-you-aren-t-afraid-of-cemeteries-um-no/) [Kelley Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelley-armstrong/) > [I was...a journalist...though my typical beat was freelancing articles on Canadian politics, which never included any mention of demonic phenomena, though it might explain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelley-armstrong/i-was-a-journalist-though-my-typical-beat-was-freelancing-articles-on/) [Kelley Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelley-armstrong/) > [I found something" Simon said as he walked in. He whipped out an old-fashioned key from his pocket and grinned at me. "It was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelley-armstrong/i-found-something-simon-said-as-he-walked-in-he-whipped-out-an-old/) [Kelley Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelley-armstrong/) > [“He laughed and tugged me down in a kiss. Then, lips still close enough to feel them tickle mine, he said, "You know this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelley-armstrong/he-laughed-and-tugged-me-down-in-a-kiss-then-lips-still-close-enough/) [Kelley Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelley-armstrong/) [Explore all 458 Kelley Armstrong quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelley-armstrong/) ## More Gaze quotes > [I need a bath." He chuckled. "You smell of smoke, as do I." The duke turned, leaning heavily on his cane. "Jameson, open the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-hawkins/i-need-a-bath-he-chuckled-you-smell-of-smoke-as-do-i-the-duke-turned/) [Karen Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-hawkins/) > [“Taylor said a prayer for the man, and apologized out loud. Knowing there was nothing left to do, she turned to leave. As she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-t-ellison/taylor-said-a-prayer-for-the-man-and-apologized-out-loud-knowing/) [J.T. Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-t-ellison/) > [“If it makes you feel any better, he’s been all sad doll lately too.” “What are you talking about, Chels?” Chelsea stopped walking and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kimberly-derting/if-it-makes-you-feel-any-better-he-s-been-all-sad-doll-lately-too/) [Kimberly Derting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kimberly-derting/) > [“Rodrigo tried to draw a deep breath, but his chest was too filled with anguish, rage and guilt. He kissed his ash-coated fingers. “I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-valdez/rodrigo-tried-to-draw-a-deep-breath-but-his-chest-was-too-filled-with/) [Lisa Valdez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-valdez/) > [“still feel the same way? Could he have changed this much on the inside too? Struggling for the right words, I opened my mouth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meredith-wild/still-feel-the-same-way-could-he-have-changed-this-much-on-the-inside/) [Meredith Wild](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meredith-wild/) > [“Being held by him, kissed and mastered, taken under and swept away, enthralled her in a way she—an independent woman if nothing else in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracy-sumner/being-held-by-him-kissed-and-mastered-taken-under-and-swept-away/) [Tracy Sumner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracy-sumner/) > [“Don’t you remember how hot we were together, Lane? God.” He takes a quick breath through clenched teeth and runs his hand down my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-a-valentine/don-t-you-remember-how-hot-we-were-together-lane-god-he-takes-a-quick/) [Michelle A. Valentine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-a-valentine/) > [“She knew how to play him so very well. He slipped his hand around hers. "Friends," he repeated roughly. Her smile was bright enough…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathryn-smith/she-knew-how-to-play-him-so-very-well-he-slipped-his-hand-around-hers/) [Kathryn Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathryn-smith/) > [“Damn.” Phineas turned the Big Boy off, then noticed he’d left the box on the bed. Damn, had Zoltan seen it? He stuffed the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kerrelyn-sparks/damn-phineas-turned-the-big-boy-off-then-noticed-he-d-left-the-box-on/) [Kerrelyn Sparks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kerrelyn-sparks/) > [“Now you," Grandma barks at him. "Yes, you, the invisible truck driver," she added, giving me a wicked grin. "Go stand next to Rose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-freitas/now-you-grandma-barks-at-him-yes-you-the-invisible-truck-driver-she/) [Donna Freitas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-freitas/) > [His fingertips slid down from my face, lightly stroking the line of my neck, down toward my shoulder. Everywhere he touched, a trail of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-mead/his-fingertips-slid-down-from-my-face-lightly-stroking-the-line-of-my/) [Richelle Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-mead/) > [“from THE DEVIL YOU KNOW : She wanted him too. He could see it in the rapid rise of her breasts. He could smell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emery-lee/from-the-devil-you-know-she-wanted-him-too-he-could-see-it-in-the/) [Emery Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emery-lee/) > [“You know when I said I didn't need you?" I asked. He lifted one brow. "I was so wrong.I can't find words to express…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-jensen/you-know-when-i-said-i-didn-t-need-you-i-asked-he-lifted-one-brow-i/) [Melissa Jensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-jensen/) > [“I didn’t say it just to get you to jump. I’m in love with you, Zane,” he admitted in a calm, clear voice. “I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-urban/i-didn-t-say-it-just-to-get-you-to-jump-i-m-in-love-with-you-zane-he/) [Madeleine Urban](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-urban/) > [“This explains so much," she said, clucking her tongue in mother-hen fashion. "You're compensating for this withered appendage." Withered appendage? What the devil was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tessa-dare/this-explains-so-much-she-said-clucking-her-tongue-in-mother-hen/) [Tessa Dare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tessa-dare/) Browse all 15,087 Gaze quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“He smiled. Hesitant at first, then a blazing grin broke through that made my heart stop. I recovered and grinned back and went to throw my arms around his neck, then stopped, blushing. 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