“I looked back just long enough to see Jeanie whisper something in Parker's ear and Parker turn to make a grotesque gesture with his pelvis and his fists. Then he gave me a thumbs-up and a salute.I gave him the finger.And I meant everything that gesture implies, but he only smiled like I'd waved good-bye. That's how these assholes communicated with each other, and I guess I was finally speaking their language.”

“If you just stop expecting perfection from everyone and everything, you might see the good stuff outweighs the bad. And then someday you'll look in the mirror and see the same thing. Because the person you're most disappointed in is yourself.”

“If you want to stay, I can meet you after the scrimmage. You could come to my house or I could come to yours or we could meet at the library or a coffee shop or..."Stop talking, asshole."Or we could go somewhere with Wi-Fi or somewhere outside or..."Oh my God, I hate myself right now.”

“It was one thing to be giving up on myself, but moms were supposed to believe in you to the very end.”

“He extended a finger to her face, the simple gesture bringing into play the sleek muscles of his shoulders and arms. “You are so beautiful, so adorable. I know full well you’re my doom, and I don’t care.”

“His thumb touched her lower lip, his eyes fixed on her. As if he couldn’t be stopped, the words flowed out of his mouth. “I want to take you in my arms, to kiss you long and hard, to touch you like you’ve never been touched, to give you the pleasure I feel running in your veins.”

“I didn’t hear you,” I spoke directly into his ear, hoping my voice was husky and alluring, but most likely wind-whipped and warbled. “I said, when I kiss you, I want you to be completely wrapped up in my touch.” He paused before adding, “The way you touched Nikolai last night wasn’t something I wanted to see. It was hot and sexy, and I don’t know where I stand.” Slowing down, he muttered, “When I kiss you, I want to see desire blaze in your eyes. I want you to need me to kiss you so much you have no choice but to yield.”