Nicole Christie

“I remember who I am when I'm with you.”

“We stand there, knee deep in the water, holding hands. The silence is thunderous with words we don't speak. I feel his presence beside me like it's an extension of my own body, tall and strong and so, so beautiful. But I can't look at him. Right now, it hurts too damn much.”

“He is quiet for a minute, then turns his head to look at me. "Where were you when I was twelve?""Well, I was nine." I cut my eyes over to him. "And probably locked in the back of a Ho-Ho truck, eating my way to freedom. Yeah, that really happened.”

“I thrust the picture at his chest. He takes it and squints at it in the softening light. Then his eyes widen. "Holy shit," he breathes. "Is this the girl that ate you?""Ha, no. You're funny." I snatch my picture back. "So I was super fat. It's my father's fault. He never hugged me.""So, what, you ate him?”

“Oh yeah," Zane says and smirks at me. "I had her for dinner once. Best meal of my life.”

“Shock and desire have my nerves tingling like I've been struck by horny lightning.”

“Damn it, I should be the only one allowed to drool over him. I found him first! Or something not as stupid.”

“No, I really did. I walked into that room and saw the hottest, sexiest guy I've ever seen - wet and half naked. And I said, "Ewww."I know. How am I still single, right?”

“Fiction should be a place of lollipops and escape. Real life is depressing enough--I, for one, don't want to read about make believe misery, too.”