K.A. Tucker

“What if he's a psychopath who tries to stuff kittens in ATMs?”

“This might work. We might survive. We might not have to eat cat food.”

“The officer asks me if I want to press charges against Trent and I glare at him like he’s grown an arm out of his ass.”

“And if that’s all he’s looking for then we’ll set fire to his balls.” “What?” Storm’s face twists in a mixture of shock and amusement.I shrug. “What can I say, Storm? I’m into some weird shit.”

“Now that I’ve come to terms with the fact that the bastard is going to affect me whether I like it or not, he’s even hotter than before.”

“There’s something different about him, and I don’t have to think hard to see it. Something about the way he takes over a room, the way he looks at me, like he has already identified and can disarm every one of my defense mechanisms with no effort, like he sees through them to the disaster lying beneath. And he wants it.”

“I set the water to its hottest setting, wishing it was labeled, “boil the hell out of any living organism.”

“There’s no getting better, Storm. This is it.” There’s no coming back from the dead.”

“Society is better off with me in a gym.”

“Must have been some kind a nightmare.”“Yeah,” I answer, my usual calm, vacant voice returning. “Can’t wait to wake up.”

“No human can bury their past indefinitely. It’s only a matter of time before you crack.”

“And there's nowhere I'd rather be than with you.”

“Forever’s a long time.” Trent’s arms squeeze around me. “Forever’s not long enough when it’s with you.”

“Out past isn't who we are. I'm me and you're you and that's who we need to be.”

“Give me your heart, Kacey. I'll take everything that comes with it”

“And you must be Princess Mia? I've heard about you."Her lips pucker and she leans out just a bit further from Storm's cover. "You have?!He nods. "Well, I heard about a Princess Mia who likes ice cream. That must be you, right?"She nods slowly and whispers, "Did you hear that, Mommy? People know I'm a princess!”

“Storm is hounding me like a hyena around a carcass.”

“I think I’m going to fall in love with this man.”

“I crave his presence, his body, his voice, his laugh, his everything.I need him.I need Trent.”

“For two years, I haven’t given anyone the time of day. Now, here I am, day one into our new life, and I’m ready to straddle this guy on the washer.”

“Hope. Hope that something beautiful may come from this tragic story.Fear. Fear that it won’t.Forgiveness … forgiveness.”

“Do You think it matters if they're tiny or deep? he asked. Well, if they're not tiny breaths and they're not deep breaths, then they're just ... breaths. Then you're just breathing for the sake of ... breathing. ... Seize them. Feel them. Love them ...”

“I can feel his very existence as if it's wrapping its hand around my soul, cradling it, trying to protect it from harm and I'm terrified. Terrified because I don't ever want the feeling to end.”

“Isn't it exhausting?""What?""Keeping people out.”

“What’s wrong is that every morning and every night, I lie in bed wondering why you’re not beside me.”

“What the hell do I have to do to get your attention? Do I need to get up there?” I throw an arm toward the stage. His eyes swell for just a second, in shock. He reaches forward to hold my hands, but he catches himself in time and instead folds them across his chest. “Believe me, you have my full attention.”

“I could lay here and stare at him forever. I don’t want to let go. Ever.”

“I barrel into his arms, my mouth connecting with his. Seizing him. Feeling him. Loving him.”

“Trent’s chest rises with a quick inhale as his hands lift to grab mine and pull them out, placing them with a pat on the outside of his shirt. “Okay, you win. But don’t do that while I’m driving or we’ll end up in a ditch.” He looks over his shoulder again, adding in a soft, solemn tone, “I’m serious, Kacey. I can’t handle it.”

“He leans in closer and closer until his breath caresses my mouth. I’m paralyzed. I swear he’s going to kiss me. I swear I’m going to let him.”

“Mia bows dramatically. “Welcome, kind Sir. Princess Mia has been awaiting your presence.”

“Just breathe. Ten tiny breaths … Seize them. Feel them. Love them.”

“Ten tiny breaths … Seize them. Feel them. Love them.”

“You don't want me, Ben. I'm seven layers of fucked up with a side of bullshit.”

“Trent has kept his promise. He makes me smile every day.”

“I'll make you whole again, Kacey. I promise you, I will.”

“I don't hate you. I could never hate you. Give me your heart, Kacey. I'll take everything that comes with it.”

“I want to make you smile. For real. Always. We're going to go for dinners, and see movies, and walk on the beach. We'll go hang-gliding, or bungee jumping, or whatever you want to do. Whatever makes you smile and laugh more. Let me make you smile.”