“Ye werena the first lass I kissed," he said softly. "But I swear you'll be the last.”

“Air ye deaf, lass?"I think. He might have called me a hairy jackass”

“I thought the force of my wanting must wake ye, surely. And then ye did come. . ." He stopped, looking at me with eyes gone soft and dark. "Christ, Claire, ye were so beautiful, there on the stair, wi' your hair down and the shadow of your body with the light behind ye…." He shook his head slowly. "I did think I should die, if I didna have ye," he said softly. "Just then.”

“When it comes to ye, lass, I doubt even my sanity”

“You'll lie wi' me now," he said quietly. "And I shall use ye as I must. And if you'll have your revenge for it, then take it and welcome, for my soul is yours, in all the black corners of it.”

“Did we kiss last night?""Yes.""Well, it wasn't memorable because I have no recollection of it."He laughs. "I was kiddin'. We didn't kiss." He leans in. "When we kiss you'll remember it.Forever.”