“You are going to get me in so much trouble." "Damn straight." Noah caressed my cheek before heading to his seat in the back.”

“It’s getting harder,” his breath caressed my cheek. “What is?” I asked.“To resist you,” his fingers flexed against me.”

“Go. Do what you have to do. Be the hero that you are … but come back to me. There’s more to Noah McCall than the head of Last Chance Rescue. I see that man.… I love them both. Return to me, Noah. Please. - Mara to Noah”

“Do you remember the summer we signed you up for camp? And the night before you left, you said you've changed your mind and wanted to stay home? I told you to to get a seat on the left side of the bus, so when you pulled away, you'd be able to look back and see me there waiting for you." I press her hand against my cheek, hard enough to leave a mark. "You get that same seat in Heaven. One where you can watch me, watching you.”

“Thank you," I say, pounding his back probably too hard. "That was the best damned passenger-seat driving I've ever seen in my life." He pats my uninjured cheek with his greasy hand. "I did it to save myself, not you," he says. "Believe me when I say that you did not once cross my mind. " I laugh. "Nor you mine," I say.”

“My head spins as I glance away, refusing to get sucked back into his gaze when so much is at risk.”