“Stop looking at me like that.""Like what?""Like you're hunting me. I'm not an antelope.”

“Well, first of all, you can't expect me to have coherent thoughts when you're touching me. Second, you're too... good-looking. Good-looking people usually get what they want.”

“He laughed. “Kelsey, we all have some animalistic tendencies. I loved hunting, even when I was young.” I shuddered. “Fine. Just keep your animalistic tendencies to yourself.” He leaned toward me again and pulled on a strand of my hair. “Now, Kells, there are some of my animalistic tendencies that you seem to like.” He started making a rumbling sound in his chest, and I realized that he was purring. “Stop that!” I sputtered”

“Pulling the chair out for me, he invited me to sit. I stood there wondering if I could sprint for the nearest exit. Stupid strappy shoes, I'd never make it. He leaned in close and whispered in my ear, "I know what you're thinking, and I'm not going to let you escape again. You can either take a seat and have dinner with me like a normal date," he grinned at his word choice, "or," he paused thoughtfully then threatened, "you can sit on my lap while I force-feed you.”

“Don't do that again, he growled in my mind.Smiling, I thought. You have to admit it was cool.Cool? You are a devastatingly beautiful angel of death. If death came for me and it looked like you, I'd go willingly.”

“the camp children descended upon me in a raucous, violent flurry of little bodies. I felt like tiny buffalo were stampeding over me.”

“Oregon welcomed me like a beloved child, enfolded me in her cool arms, shushed my turbulent thoughts, and promised peace through her whispering pines. ”