“You should really be more careful who you let put their hands on you.” A silky male voice hummed as hot, minty breath wafted around her ear and danced slowly across her nose. Sera inhaled deeply, her skin prickled with goose bumps.”

“Mr. Carter cleared his throat. “Soy sauce.” He deadpanned. “Really, Sera?”

“I don’t blame you for being upset, Sera. But what you need to be doing is getting pissed as fuck and then stab him in the nut sack with those killer stilettos.” I look up at my best friend, Adam, and see the empathy in his eyes. “Fuck it! I’ll stab him in the nuts, and then gouge his eyes out. Girl, I’ll be the…the fucking Nut Slayer!”

“He'd find out, he thought and nodded as he rose. " Are you worried about you? " It surprised her, the gentleness in his voice, the light brush of his knuckles over her jaw. She could lean against him, she realized with a jolt. She could lay her head on that shoulder, close her eyes, and for a moment at least, everything would be all right. She nearly stepped forward before she decided it would be foolish. " You're not going to be nice to me, are you? " " Maybe. " It might have been the confusion in her eyes, or that sultry scent that wafted from her skin, but he needed to touch. He laid his hands on her shoulders, rubbed while his eyes stayed on hers. " Do you need help?”

“Alan stopped her in the hall by slipping his arms around her waist. "I haven't done this in one hour and twenty-three mintutes." His mouth covered hers, slowly, confidently. As her lips parted and offered he took, taking the kiss just to the border, but no further, of madness. "I love you." He caught her bottom lip between his teeth, then released her mouth only to change the angle and deepen the kiss. He felt her heartbeat sprint against his, felt that long, lazy meltng of her bones he knew happened just before she went from pliant to avid. "Tonight, no matter who you dance with,think of me."Breathless,she looked up.In his eyes, she saw that banked brooding passion she could never resist. He'd overwhelm her if she let him;absorb her. He had the power.Shelby tilted her head so her lips stayed within a whisper of his. "Tonight," she said huskily, "no matter who you dance with,you'll want me." Her arms stayed around him when she rested her head on his shoulder. "And I'll know.”

“He handed her her cap and sunglasses, then put on his own while she frowned at them.“What is this?” “A disguise.” He grinned at her. “Dobie wants you to wear them. Let’s give him a break, or he might order fake mustaches and clown noses off the Internet.” She rolled her eyes, but put them on. “And what, this makes us look like twins? Where are your tits?” “You’re wearing them, and may I say they look spectacular on you.”'- Chasing Fire”

“Are you going to dance with me, Senator? It's the only dignified way I can get my hands on you at the moment." Alan let the first wave of desire take him-a rush that blanked everyone else from his sight and hearng for one heady instant. Carefully he banked it before he rose and took her hand. "Strange how closely our minds work." After leading her to the dance floor he gathered her to him. "And how well," he murmured as their bodies melded together, "we fit."Shelby tilted her head back. "We shouldn't." Her eyes promised hot, private secrets. Her lips tempted-just parted, just curved. The hand on his shoulder moved nearer to his neck so she could brush his skin with her fingertips. "We shouldn't fit.We shouldn't understand each other.I can't quite figure out why we do.""You defy logic,Shelby.And therefore, logically,there's no reasonable answer."She laughed, pleased with the structured workings of his mine. "Oh, Alan, you're much too sensible to be argued with.""Which means you'll constantly do so.""Exactly." Still smiling,she rested her head on his shoulder. "You know me too well for my own good, Alan...and perhaps for yours. I'm in danger of adoring you."He remembered Myra had used that word to describe Shelby's feelings for her father. "I'll take the risk.Will you?”