We’ve all been seduced. At one time or another, we’ve been persuaded to do something we know we shouldn’t. But we do it anyway, damn the consequences. Why?
People have been resisting and succumbing to seduction for centuries, not only in the sexual arena but in all facets of our lives. Have you ever been seduced by the call of Starbucks? You know you don’t need to spend the money, you don’t need the empty calories, but you find yourself pulling into the drive-thru anyway, ordering that venti mocha latté. You’ve been seduced, just as surely as Darth Vader was to come over to the Dark Side. Call it persuasion if you want, I think it’s seduction.
Most people, however, still think of seduction in its sexual connotation. The very definition is to lead someone astray or persuade them to have sexual intercourse. So if we know this up front, why is seduction so…seductive?
A recent article in The Independent lists ten of the world’s best seducers and sheds some light on this question. The article by Mark Wilson, titled The Great Seducers, states the basics of seduction: “get them to notice you in the crowd, make them feel special, win their trust, make their pupils dilate, get them into bed.”
Can you see the bones of many a romance novel in that technique? But in addition to technique, the seducer, in order to be truly worthy of the name, must develop his or her
own particular style of seduction. Wilson admits that seduction is actually “a ritual with a complex set of rules,” and the ones capable of understanding and adapting those rules are more successful. He lists, quite rightly, Casanova, as the ultimate measure of a seducer–the man who was expelled from most European cities in the 18th century for his wild sexual escapades. His “style” according to Wilson, was to “discover a lady in trouble; be attentive; extricate her from her difficulty; bestow small gifts; use alluring words; make hay; get bored; exit stage left.”
My favorite (and best in my estimation) seducer in literature has to be Valmont in Dangerous Liaisons, adapted from the 18th century novel by de Laclos. His charm, wit, and persuasive talents, as he seduces not one, but two very different women at the same time, are spellbinding to watch. As John Malkovich portrayed him, he would have had me at hello.
So how do you plan a seduction? In Only Scandal Will Do, Duncan tries to seduce Katarina when he’s with her in the brothel. He plays on her need to believe that he’s accepted her story. So he treats her as a damsel in distress:
Excerpt from Only Scandal Will Do:
“You are distraught, my lady. It has been a harrowing night for you. Please allow me to come to your aid.” He brought her hands to rest on the soft black cloak that disguised the solid expanse of his chest. The concern and respect in his voice, which had so recently mocked and insulted her, broke through her crumbling defenses. Ready to drop from weariness, she could not reclaim the strength leached away by the excitements of the night. And his chest was so strong and warm under her palms. Incredibly warm. Kat sighed as that heat stole into her body, relaxing the muscles in her hands and arms inch by inch.
The face beneath the mask softened, his lips turned up in a tender smile. He traced a line down her cheek with the back of one finger. “Allow me take care of you, my dear.”
His touch, like fine silk drawn over her skin, sent a pang of longing through her. Could she permit someone else to be strong for her, just this once? He understood the fears she faced tonight and sought to vanquish them, as any knight errant would seek to make amends. He continued to stroke her cheek, her jaw, her chin, his touch feather light. A powerful, unreasoning desire assaulted her to feel his strong arms around her, sheltering her from the harsh world. She was hardly surprised, then, to find him gathering her against his broad chest.
“Lean your head just there, sweet.”
She could hear the strong beat of his heart, smell the clean, comforting citrus of his cologne. The fresh scent reminded her of home.
“You will be all right now,” he whispered, holding her securely to him. Safe at last. She closed her eyes and leaned into his caresses, contentment stealing through her for the first time since leaving Virginia.
With a finger beneath her chin, he lifted her face up to his. Her eyes flew open and peace fled as he pressed her mouth with a gentle kiss that stole what breath she had left. His lips–soft, warm, insistent–generated heat all the way to her toes. A sensation so overpowering she forgot everything around her, giving herself completely to the pleasures of that kiss.
Not a bad strategy. Looks to be working. But all seductions don’t go as planned. Always keep that in mind when designing yours.
Today’s giveaway is a Scandal Swag Pack to a random commenter who tells me: What seduces you?
Lyrical is actually running a special through the end of July: All the Scandal for Half the price! Check out their store!