--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Slowly, Joaquin leaned in, drawn closer…" description: "\"“Slowly, Joaquin leaned in, drawn closer to her against his will. Pursing his lips, he breathed warm air across her cheeks, like animals do when they l..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ae5/tatiana-march-87051_gaze_slowly-joaquin-leaned-in-drawn-closer-to_2762191.jpg" --- # Slowly, Joaquin leaned in, drawn closer to her against his… ![“Slowly, Joaquin leaned in, drawn closer to her against his will. Pursing his lips, he breathed warm air across her cheeks, like animals do when they learn each other’s scent, learn to trust. “Easy now,” he whispered in between the soft puffs of air. “Let go of the fear.” “I can’t,” she said, in a…” quote by Tatiana March](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ae5/tatiana-march-87051_gaze_slowly-joaquin-leaned-in-drawn-closer-to_2762191.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ae5/tatiana-march-87051_gaze_slowly-joaquin-leaned-in-drawn-closer-to_2762191.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ae5/tatiana-march-87051_gaze_slowly-joaquin-leaned-in-drawn-closer-to_2762191.jpg) > ““Slowly, Joaquin leaned in, drawn closer to her against his will. Pursing his lips, he breathed warm air across her cheeks, like animals do when they learn each other’s scent, learn to trust. “Easy now,” he whispered in between the soft puffs of air. “Let go of the fear.” “I can’t,” she said, in a little broken voice that clenched at his heart. “Yes you can.” Joaquin let his lips touch her skin, the merest hint of a contact. She made a tiny sound of alarm, a cross between a sob and a cry. He brushed his mouth against hers. A shudder shook her body, but she pressed into him, seeking his shelter. Keeping his hands braced to the timber, he deepened the kiss. His mouth slanted over hers, bolder now. Her hands rose between them and fisted into his shirt.”” [Tatiana March](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tatiana-march/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A tender, escalating intimacy where fear and desire intertwine, urging trust and surrender **In simple terms:** Intimacy grows as fear is released Key Takeaway Embrace vulnerability and trust Themes love trust intimacy desire fear Mood passionate tense hopeful Type romantic sensual When to use this quote - first kiss - comfort seeking - overcoming fear - physical closeness Key Concepts psychology of attachment sensory intimacy emotional surrender Questions to Reflect On - How does fear affect intimacy? - When is surrender healthy? A Different Perspective The scene may romanticize coercion, overlooking consent nuances ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Clenched Heart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clenched-heart-3178248/) [Deepened Kiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deepened-kiss-973214/) [Gaze](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gaze/) [Let Fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/let-fear-284540/) [Lips Breathed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lips-breathed-830311/) [Lips Touch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lips-touch-246972/) [Little Bro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/little-bro/) ## Related quotes > [When I'm in pain and grief and despair, my throat is clenched and my heart hurts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alanis-morissette/when-i-m-in-pain-and-grief-and-despair-my-throat-is-clenched-and-my/) [Alanis Morissette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alanis-morissette/) > [“He pulled me closer until his lips breathed me in, until we were sharing one breath.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heather-anastasiu/he-pulled-me-closer-until-his-lips-breathed-me-in-until-we-were/) [Heather Anastasiu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heather-anastasiu/) > [“Their lips met in a slow, languid kiss. Salt from her tears mixed with her natural sweetness. She wrapped her arms around his neck…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-rose-black/their-lips-met-in-a-slow-languid-kiss-salt-from-her-tears-mixed-with/) [J. Rose Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-rose-black/) > [“The kiss was everything she hadn’t dared let herself think about. Slow. Hot. Hungry. His lips molded to hers, drinking up her small, breathless…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-somers/the-kiss-was-everything-she-hadn-t-dared-let-herself-think-about-slow/) [Sydney Somers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-somers/) > [“He felt lightheaded, almost dizzy, as he deepened the kiss, his fingers curling lightly around the tendrils of her hair. His other arm encircled…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sierra-donovan/he-felt-lightheaded-almost-dizzy-as-he-deepened-the-kiss-his-fingers/) [Sierra Donovan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sierra-donovan/) > [“I deepened the kiss and started to shift myself above her. I needed to be closer. "Mommy, up." I froze at the sound of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-wilde/i-deepened-the-kiss-and-started-to-shift-myself-above-her-i-needed-to/) [Jessica Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-wilde/) > [“You don't have to treat me as if I'm made out of glass and might break," she said. "I'm a lot stronger than I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/b-j-daniels/you-don-t-have-to-treat-me-as-if-i-m-made-out-of-glass-and-might/) [B.J. Daniels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/b-j-daniels/) > [“This girl owned my soul and stole my heart. She'd opened her self to me, giving me love and never asked anything in return.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-mcgarry/this-girl-owned-my-soul-and-stole-my-heart-she-d-opened-her-self-to/) [Katie McGarry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-mcgarry/) > [“Beneath the St. Lucian sun, with a wisp of a tropical breeze, he kissed her with all the pent-up desire that had built within…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracy-march/beneath-the-st-lucian-sun-with-a-wisp-of-a-tropical-breeze-he-kissed/) [Tracy March](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracy-march/) > [“For that short space of time, she forgot she was sad and a little afraid. She let herself forget that after tonight, she might…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elle-todd/for-that-short-space-of-time-she-forgot-she-was-sad-and-a-little/) [Elle Todd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elle-todd/) > [“Echo's gloved hands reached up and guided my head to hers. I let myself bask in her warmth and deepened our kiss, enjoying the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-mcgarry/echo-s-gloved-hands-reached-up-and-guided-my-head-to-hers-i-let/) [Katie McGarry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-mcgarry/) > [Do you remember the first time we made love?" He touched his lips to hers as he said it. "We rode up in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/do-you-remember-the-first-time-we-made-love-he-touched-his-lips-to/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Only one kiss. That was what he had intended. But Ciera’s lips were sweet like the juice of a pomegranate, and her skin under…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deborah-blake/only-one-kiss-that-was-what-he-had-intended-but-ciera-s-lips-were/) [Deborah Blake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deborah-blake/) > [“We're all that matters. Our lips touch with each word he speaks, his stare so intense that I know he can see straight through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-harris/we-re-all-that-matters-our-lips-touch-with-each-word-he-speaks-his/) [Rachel Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-harris/) > [Do I not deal with angels When her lips I touch.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-patchen/do-i-not-deal-with-angels-when-her-lips-i-touch/) [Kenneth Patchen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-patchen/) ## More by Tatiana March > [“Nudging her legs apart with one knee, he poised himself above her. “Do you want it fierce and powerful?” he asked in a husky…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tatiana-march/nudging-her-legs-apart-with-one-knee-he-poised-himself-above-her-do/) [Tatiana March](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tatiana-march/) > [“How in hell had a casual embrace turned into an all-consuming kiss? Edgy and rattled, Joaquin stalked back to his cantina, The Watering Hole.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tatiana-march/how-in-hell-had-a-casual-embrace-turned-into-an-all-consuming-kiss/) [Tatiana March](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tatiana-march/) [Explore all 3 Tatiana March quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tatiana-march/) ## 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 ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gaze/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Slowly, Joaquin leaned in, drawn closer to her against his will. Pursing his lips, he breathed warm air across her cheeks, like animals do when they learn each other’s scent, learn to trust. “Easy now,” he whispered in between the soft puffs of air. “Let go of the fear.” “I can’t,” she said, in a little broken voice that clenched at his heart. “Yes you can.” Joaquin let his lips touch her skin, the merest hint of a contact. She made a tiny sound of alarm, a cross between a sob and a cry. He brushed his mouth against hers. A shudder shook her body, but she pressed into him, seeking his shelter. Keeping his hands braced to the timber, he deepened the kiss. His mouth slanted over hers, bolder now. Her hands rose between them and fisted into his shirt.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Tatiana March" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tatiana-march/slowly-joaquin-leaned-in-drawn-closer-to-her-against-his-will-pursing/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Gaze" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tatiana-march/slowly-joaquin-leaned-in-drawn-closer-to-her-against-his-will-pursing/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ae5/tatiana-march-87051_gaze_slowly-joaquin-leaned-in-drawn-closer-to_2762191.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ae5/tatiana-march-87051_gaze_slowly-joaquin-leaned-in-drawn-closer-to_2762191.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ae5/tatiana-march-87051_gaze_slowly-joaquin-leaned-in-drawn-closer-to_2762191.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Slowly, Joaquin leaned in, drawn closer to her against his will. Pursing his lips, he breathed warm air…” — Tatiana March", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Tatiana March", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tatiana-march/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“Slowly, Joaquin leaned in, drawn closer...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tatiana-march/slowly-joaquin-leaned-in-drawn-closer-to-her-against-his-will-pursing/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tatiana-march/slowly-joaquin-leaned-in-drawn-closer-to-her-against-his-will-pursing/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```