“Liam's face grew serious. "I'll take good care of you, Cordelia. I promise.”

“Cordelia, " he said quietly, his smile fading. "I seem to be in love you.”

“Ground rules, Tanner,” he growled. Tanner paled. More good. “No alcohol. No smoking. No drugs. No looking at other girls. You can dance with my daughter. Your hands will avoid the danger zones, which are here, here and here.” Liam gestured to his chest, groin and ass. “You can kiss her. Once. At 10:59 p.m. tonight, when you’ll be standing here once again. I will be on the other side of this door, waiting for her. Am I clear?” “Yes, sir,” Tanner whispered. “I was your age once, too,” Liam said. “I’m aware of that, sir.” “I know what you think about.” “I’m sorry.” “You can think it. You can’t do it.” “Okay.” “I have many sharp tools in my garage.” “Yes, sir.” “We’re clear, then?” “Very, sir.” “Good!” Liam smiled, then grabbed the boy by the shoulder and dragged him in. “Nicole! Your date’s here.”

“Okay, we get it, Jodi-with-an-i,” I said, smiling pleasantly up at her. “You have an adorable son andare still quite available. Dennis, however, is with me. If you would just take your boobs out of myboyfriend’s face, I would deeply appreciate it.”

“Gus, do I have to put you in a cage or something? Because I will! Don't push it, mister!""As an officer of the court, I feel obliged to speak up and tell you that child imprisonment is against the law," I said."Right. Well, then, I'll take that as your offer to babysit all four of my precious angels when you get home.""Then again, cages can be very comfortable.”

“There was a little smile on his mouth—the mouth that had been kissing hers. Otherwise, he was incommunicado.“Liam?” she said again, more loudly this time.Nada. He was out cold. Down for the count.She straightened abruptly. Face was burning, joints buzzing with adrenaline, chest filled with helium.Liam Murphy had kissed her.And he’d fallen asleep in the middle of it. She didn’t know whether to burst into song or kick something.”

“The simmering lust, the raging interest exploded into love. Who wouldn’t fall in love with a man who took the time to feed a homeless kitty? She held that image against her heart like a secret jewel. Only she knew about it, she was sure. Those girls Liam might’ve slept with, girls who left their panties in his locker or wrote things about him on the bathroom walls…they didn’t know what Posey knew—Liam Declan Murphy was not just the hottest thing ever to grace Bellsford High…he was a softy, too.”