“It’s a good thing you’re an aging orphan,” he murmured, gently pushing the hair away from her face. “I don’t have to wait around to get anyone’s permission.””Permission for what, you rat bastard?” she said. “Such language, dragon. I’m afraid you’re going to have to marry me.”

“Where love is great, the littlest doubts are fear; Where little fears grow great, great love grows there.”

“He released her with obvious reluctance and shoved open his door, then came around to open her door. His chivalry brought an even broader smile. “Bet this doesn’t last long”, she teased. He took her hand. “You keep waiting for me to open it, and I will keep coming around.”

“Lips that have tasted the salt of tears always give the sweetest kiss.”

“Of course not! I knew you would protect me. You swore that you were strong enough to protect Vivienne, didn’t you? How can you promise to protect my sister, but not trust yourself to keep me safe?” The music swelled to a crescendo. Although Adrian kept her imprisoned against the muscular length of his body, he gave up all pretense of dancing. “Because I don’t lose my wits every time Vivienne walks into a room. I don’t toss and turn in my bed every night dreaming of making love to her. She doesn’t drive me to distraction with her endless questions, her incessant snooping, her harebrained schemes.” His voice rose. “I can trust myself to protect your sister because I’m not in love with her!”

“Her unusual upbringing had made her worldly enough to understand that every female, no matter her genus and species, had the ability to physically coerce a male into full cooperation.And yes, she knew just the male to coerce.”

“… you’ve experienced the single scene out there – it’s blood test and background checks and references and ‘Please pee in this cup before we can go on a date’ screenings, all clinical and stripped bare of any romance.”

“People snare when I tell them that I’m an emotional prostitute. But after my rebuttal, they begin to realize that they are one too. Like me, they have pimped their emotions for the affections of another. Like me, they’ve gone through life tormented by the idea of living a happily ever after, not realizing that the ever after isn’t so happy.”

“Kas was right: a woman could destroy a man. This one could do so, simply by knowing his name. She could do so, simply with her eyes.”

“He’d spent the night in the boat. Next to the spaghetti queen.William glanced at the hobo girl. She sat across from him, huddled in a clump. Her stench had gotten worse overnight, probably from the dampness. Another night like the last one, and he might snap and dunk her into that river just to clear the air.She saw him looking. Dark eyes regarded him with slight scorn.William leaned forward and pointed at the river. “I don’t know why you rolled in spaghetti sauce,” he said in a confidential voice. “I don’t really care. But that water over there won’t hurt you. Try washing it off.”She stuck her tongue out.“Maybe after you’re clean,” he said.Her eyes widened. She stared at him for a long moment. A little crazy spark lit up in her dark irises. She raised her finger, licked it, and rubbed some dirt off her forehead.Now what?The girl showed him her stained finger and reached toward him slowly, aiming for his face.“No,” William said. “Bad hobo.”The finger kept coming closer.”

“Forgive me for being the stupidest man on the planet?”“Careful. You’re talking about the man I love.”

“After a moment, he found my neck, kissing the nape, his teeth grazing my skin and causingme to make a small noise very much like a whimper. Before I could take another breath, hislips met mine and I was lost to his touch.”

“Gradually, we have become each other’s weather.”

“It’s the Snickers bars. Snickers equal romance.”

“My God.” He pushed away from the bedpost. “Friends! And do you fall into bed with any man who’s ‘dear’ to you? How am I to take that?””Of course I don’t.” She stood up, letting the knotted scarf slip away. “I can’t seem to help myself. With you. About that. It’s extremely vexing.””You’re quite right on that count,” he said sullenly. “I’m damned vexed. I’d like to vex you right here on the floor, in fact. And the idea of Sturgeon vexing you is enough to dispose me to murder. Is that clear? Do you comprehend me?” He took a reckless stride toward her and caught her chin between his fingers. “I’m not your friend, my lady. I’m your lover.”