“Contrary to popular belief, going shopping is really about stopping afterward for cheesecake.”

“That’s what I feel. Really pissed at myself for ruining my life, and… pissed at the world for going on like normal.”

“I made the best mistakes. It was not like the sun came up or I stopped crying or I had any more power within me. It was not like all those sensual metaphors of awakening that keep you chained to hope. I still go to bed at night and hate—and hate knowing that the world's a mirror.”

“These guys, my guys, are a bunch of assholes and I have to dig deep to find things about them I like so I can keep their secrets and keep them alive. Then they do these things, they betray me, and I have to let go of the love I worked so hard to find and splatter their brains all over the wall. ”

“When he finally broke off the kiss and moved his lips to her neck, then her breast again, sucking her nipples back to hard peaks, Catherine broke from her trance.“No. I really must go. We haven’t time to do this again.” She pushed against hisrestraining hands and wiggled beneath his body. “Let me up now.”He pulled away from her neck and looked up, his eyes as poignant as a spoken plea.Her heart wrenched and she wished she could spend the rest of the day with him, making love in their secret nest in the loft.She sighed. “Don’t give me puppy dog eyes. I’ve got to go.”

“It was a simple lesson, really. He could never, ever allow misplaced ideals to seduce him. He would not employ death as a tool.”

“Her tone changed from shocked to curious. “How was it? Was it… different?”Sarah bit her lip, ashamed to be gossiping but feeling the strong urge to tell. “Yes,”she confided. “He’s nothing like John. Nothing like him at all.”“Really? What was different? Did he…?” Grace waved a hand as though erasing achalkboard. “Oh, forget it. I shouldn’t be asking this. But,” again her voice lowered, “is he tattooed everywhere?”Sarah knew it was wrong to talk about him like this, but her inner schoolgirl took over and she nodded, eager to share details. “He’s beautiful … like a stained glass window. And he’s really good with his … mouth.” She raised an eyebrow, giving Grace a significant look.Her friend gasped and giggled. “But isn’t it weird? Touching him?”“Skin is skin, Grace,” Sarah chided. “The tattoos are only on the surface, you know.He’s a man.” A sexy, vulnerable, intense, attractive, responsible, sweet, gentle and loving man.”