“Harriet resisted, until Tara pulled out the big move...the combination "lean-against nuzzle, with a slight lick and an adoring glance." In dog-land the move had a degree of difficulty of nine point seven, and as far as I know, there is no known defense against it.”

“I want you out in the hallway, against the far wall in single file, ready to move, in fifteen. Drop your fartsack, Ratliff.”

“I don’t want to scare the guests with a big old guard dog,” Tara protested.“Safety is far more important than worrying about what anyone else thinks,” Sawyer told her.“You’re right, of course.” Tara looked at her sisters. “We’ll think about both an alarm and a dog.”“We can borrow Izzy from Jax,” Maddie said.“Sure,” Tara said. “And she can lick the next bad guy to death.”

“A breath of sound across the landing, almost imperceptible, like a shadow moving against blackness; then nothing.”

“Then he leaned forward and rested his cheek against mine. Hot tingles spread through me as his lips moved against my ear. "You should tell me to stop." I didn't say a word.”

“He leans against me and gives a gentle push. I resist curving my neck into that place on his shoulder.”