“Henceforth, whenever we are threatened with being cast adrift upon love’s transcendent, golden shore, I want you to slap my face.”

“When you are rich and powerful, no one will challenge you to your face or give you a chance to explain yourself. All the whispers are behind your back. You are left with no means of clearing your own name. And after a while you realize there is no point in even attempting to do so. No one wants the truth. All anyone wants is the chance to add more fuel to the fires of gossip. The whispers become so loud that sometimes you think you will drown in them.”

“I will love you all the days of my life and beyond.”

“Of course I won't go alone. I shall take my maid." "No," Sebastian said. "You will take me.”

“I have often sat in that chair behind my desk and wondered how you would look lying naked here on this sofa. It was a form of self-inflicted torture." “Good heavens”

“All things being equal, he preferred to do business with people who were sane.”

“Once Smith had you, he would most likely have tried to negotiate for the lamp."Everything inside her warmed gently. "You'd give up the lamp if you thought my life depended on it?""Without a second thought.""Oh, Griffin, I'm truly touched. I know how important the lamp is to you.""And then I'd slit the bastard's throat."She groaned and rested her forehead on her knees. "Two birds with one lamp. Who says a crime lord can't be a romantic at heart?”