“Patch backed me into a tree and kissed me, hard.I regained my breath. "Boys take not everywhere: That was a kiss.”

“Boys everywhere take note: That was a kiss.”

“I'll be firm," I promised Patch, adopting a no-nonsense expression. "No backing down."By now Patch was full-on grinning. He kissed me again, and I felt my mouth soften its resolve. "You look cute when you're trying to be tough," he said.”

“I shouldn't have been looking at lingerie. It naturally made me think about sexy things. Like kissing. Like Patch.”

“If we're doing this for ten hours, I'm going to need a little incentive to stay motivated."Patch hooked his elbow around my neck and dragged me into a kiss. "Every time you strip my sword, I owe you a kiss. How's that sound?"I bit my lip to keep from giggling. "That sounds really dirty." Patch waggled his eyebrows. "Look whose mind just rolled into the gutter. Two kisses per strip. Any objections?"I pulled on an innocent face. "None whatsoever.”

“You're mine, Angel," he murmured, brushing the words across my jawbone as I arched my neck higher, inviting him to kiss everywhere. "You have me forever.”

“If you can't feel, why did you kiss me?"Patch traced a finger along my collarbone, then headed south stopping at my heart. I felt it pounding through my skin. "Because I feel it here, in my heart," he said quietly.”