“Feeling her strength return right along with her annoyance, Dagmar stepped back and raised her foot, slamming it down on the tip.“Ow! Evil barbarian viper!” He rose on his hind legs, his front claws grasping his tail. “You are aware this is attached to me?”“Yes. That’s how I knew it was taking liberties!”

“I stroked his long, appreciative back, all the way to the tip of his striped tail, and thought how frustrating it was that we can take such liberties with animals, but not with people. I wanted to stroke her head -this girl I secretly knew was called Flynn.”

“Forget it." She turned to the closed door of the bathroom. "Forget I said anything. I take it back." Just as she pulled the door open, he was behind her, slamming it shut. With one hand planted in front of her face, Max said next to her ear, "You can't take it back now." "Yes, I can." "No." He leaned his big body into her and shoved her against the door. "I heard you." His hot breath brushed her temple. "You love me Lola. I won't let you take it back. You can't ever take it back.”

“Miss Velvet." "Lord, darlin'. You're the only man in this state who would tip his hat to a whore." She ushered the other women along and stopped beside Jake. "You haven't been back to see me, darlin'." "No, ma'am." "You won't be coming back to see me, will you?" He shook his head. "No, ma'am. I won't." She smiled, a warm, pretty smile. "It's just as well. A man like you, darlin', shouldn't have to pay a woman. You take care of yourself now, you hear?" He returned her smile. "Yes, ma'am. I will." She reached out, touching the raised comer of his mouth with the tip of her finger. "Lord, darlin', I don't know how any woman could walk away from that smile.”

“Dee-Ann came back in the hallway and both men stopped and stared at her. “Just came back to get some water out of the fridge.” When neither man said anything to her, she asked, “Somethin’ wrong?” Ric stepped forward. “How many children do you want?” Lock grabbed Ric by his hair and yanked him back, slamming him into the front door. “Ow!”

“I find you too charming by half.""And I find you too annoying by far. If you do not release me, I cannot be held responsible for your well-being."He chuckled at that. "A fiery little bundle,aren't you? I'll wager you like-"She brought her foot down hard on his instep.He yelped and released her, his face contorted in pain.Sophia stepped past him, but he grabbed her arm and yanked her back toward him. "You tease!" he gasped.She used her forward motion to shove him back against the settee.One moment, he was standing before her; the next, he was lying upside down on the rug behind the setee, his legs in the air.Sophia gathered her skirts and ran for the door. She was only steps away when it flew open and Dougal stood in the opening.He was dressed in his riding clothes, and she couldn't help but compare his elegance with Sir Reginald's flashy attire, with his exaggerated riding coat and gaudy gold-tassled boots-which were sill waving in the air.”