“Owen had been using the track for months, but he didn't recall Sterling doing anything more athletic than tapping his pencil against his desk until Owen's fingers had itched with the need to spank the brat out of him.”

“… and then showed Owen the reservation. Four people. “But we’re only two,” Owen said. “Yeah, but my ego needs more space than that.”

“You don't sound very well Owen." I pointed out to him. "IF JESUS HAD TO BE BORN ON A DAY LIKE THIS. I DON'T THINK HE'D HAVE LASTED LONG ENOUGH TO BE CRUCIFIED." Owen said.”

“Owen took a step forward, blocking Blackjack’s path. For the first time, Trace noticed Owen was wearing his badge above his heart. “You don’t want to make yourself any more of a suspect than you already are,” Owen said.Blackjack made a dismissive sound. “Don’t pull that Texas Ranger bullshit with me, son. I diapered your bottom.”“You’ve never touched a diaper in your life,” Owen countered.”

“You're stalking me," Owen said.Sterling shook his head. "I prefer the word 'following'; it sounds less creepy.""But that doesn't make it any less annoying." Owen said,raising his eyebrows. "You almost make me wish you were mine to deal with; I can promise you'd be regretting this behavior very soon."That wiped the grin off Sterling's place. "God, I wouldn't regret anything if I was. Yours, I mean. I'd let you do whatever you wanted."'Let me'?" Owen asked pointedly. "Somehow, I think you've misunderstood the definition of submission.”

“They had never been closer in their month of love, nor communicated more profoundly one with another, than when she brushed silent lips against his coat's shoulder or when he touched the end of her fingers, gently, as though she were asleep.”