“Maybe so, but Luke Stark pushed me against the wall and told me he was gonna fuck me, I'd say, 'When and what you want me to wear?' And I would not care if he did pull a slam-bam-thank-you-ma'am. I'd just take my orgasm and go. You hear what I'm sayin' to you? Shirleen asked.”

“I don't know what shit you're working though but I know its there. I know you'd rather not even acknowledge it and definitely don't want me to be a part of the process. I don't care. Princess, this is happening between you and me.""What, exactly, do you mean by 'this'? You fucking me?" I snapped..." Yeah. Me fucking you. In your bed, on your couch, in my bed and anywhere else I can think of. I'm gonna do you on your back, on your knees and you're gonna ride me. And when I've exhausted you and you don't have those fucking shields up, I'm gonna make you talk to me and tell me what this shit is about and then, maybe, I can help you with it.”

“I like that, he said quietly, his voice back to silk. What? I whispered. You sayin' my name, he told me. I'll like it better when you moan it, tonight, when I'm inside you.”

“(...)The ride is not over but if I can keep my Club together and find a sweet, feisty woman who's got my back and enough to her that she'll stay there, holding me up not dragging me down, I figure I'd find my way to beauty eventually. And I'd find absolution because I'd know, I earned the love of that woman, a woman who's got so much to her it'll take years to dig down and find the heart of her, that would be my reward."Ohmigod.Ohmigod!Ohmigod!Did he just say that?Did. He. Just. Say that?"And you told me," Tack continued, his face coming closer, "I had that when I first met you.”

“Nope. That’s right, girl, Shirleen does not understand. So what trauma are we up against now?” Shirleen’s eyes moved to me. “You havin’ too many orgasms or what?”

“That first night, I didn't have it all. And I still don't have it all but every piece you give me, baby, I like. So now I want it all and I'm gonna fuckin' get it, Trya. You aren't gonna hold back, you aren't gonna retreat, you aren't gonna push me away and I sure as fuck am not gonna let go.”

“Did you pay for the repairs on my Range Rover?” I asked him.“Yeah.”“Why?”“Why not?” he answered.I felt my hold on my temper slip. “Luke, it’s my car.”“Ava, you’re my woman.”I ignored the melty feeling that gave me too. “So?”“So you’re my woman, I take care of you.”“Luke – ““This isn’t up for discussion.”“It sure as hell is!”“I’m thinkin’, as payback for the hickey, I want you in that pink teddy thing tonight.”Was he for real?“Luke!”“Later.”Disconnect.Argh!”