“But the men tonight were paid to kill a newlywed man and his wife,” his arms gave me a squeeze, “I lose no sleep for them and you shouldn’t either.” “But you were awake,” I pointed out. “Yes, I was, because my wee wife trembles against me in her sleep,” he informed me. God, that was sweet. “Sorry, Frey,” I whispered. “Do not be sorry, be drowsy,” he ordered.”

“Sweet dreams, baby,” he whispered into myhair, his arm giving me a squeeze. “See you onthe other side.”“You too, Captain,” I whispered...'Lauren and Tate, in Sweet Dreams”

“We were both quiet a long time and I was about to fall back asleep in the curve of his arm with his warm body at my back when he called my name.“Laurie?”“Yes,” I muttered, my voice sleepy.“I was pissed last night.”“I know.”“You look good.”“Sorry?”“No way you can look like all the rest.”My eyes shot open.His arm curled me deeper into his body and I felt his face burrow into my hair.“You’d always shine through,” he muttered and now he sounded sleepy but I was again wide awake. “Somethin’ special,” he finished.”

“The eyes of a man who was all man.And they were wet.Oh my fraking God.His hand came to my jaw, cupping it, his thumb sweeping across my cheekbone but he didn't watch his thumb. His eyes never left mine and he didn't hide it, he didn't fight it.I gave him my virginity.He gave that to me.It was the most beautiful gift I'd ever received.Then he whispered, "I wanna see to you. Will you let me do that, Faye?"I'd let him do anything.Anything.Even though I had no idea what he was talking about."Yes," I answered.His head dropped and, his lips on mine, he whispered, "Thank you."Then he touched his mouth to mine, gently, slowly slid out and he saw to me.”

“He looked at my mouth then he looked in my eyes then his arm and hand gave me a squeeze before he stated, “Now, I think she finally fuckin’ gets me.”

“Love you, Tabby." Oh yes. I pressed the insides of my thighs to his hips, wrapped my arms tight around him, and whispered in his ear, "Love you too, Shy." His mouth moved below my ear and he murmured against my skin, "Everything to me.”

“I stand here because of you, my Aslan, my Faye, my protectors and I make the promise that what you gave me, what you taught me, I will live those lessons. I cannot repay you for what you gave me. That's all I can do. All I can do is learn the lesson you taught me and go forward in my life good and pure and right." His voice dipped to a whisper in the microphone and he finished, "Thank you."”