“From his own experience, Alex knew that parental love is an ideal, not a guarantee.”

“Justine, whenever someone says 'this is for your own good,' it's a guarantee they're about to cause you some kind of damage.”

“This was never making love before..not before you.I knew how different it was going to be with you the first time we kissed.""You knew that...just from a kiss?""I'll have to remind you about the kiss.”

“I thought about the future, the oceans and continents he would cross, far away from everyone who knew and loved him. Far outside the sphere of his mothers prayers. Among the women of the future, there was one who would know his secrets and bear his children, and witness the changes the years worked on him. And it wouldnt be me.-Liberty Jones”

“I loved him so much, loved his fearlessness, his strength, even the ambition that would someday take him away from me.”

“Murmuring her name, he brought her hand to his face and nuzzled ardently into her palm, his lips brushing the warm circlet of her gold wedding band. 'My love is upon you,' he whispered... and she knew then that she had won.”

“Zoe gave him a look that was difficult to interpret. Eventually she asked, "What makes you sure I couldn't handle you?"She didn't know what she was asking for, from a man who couldn't remember what it was like to be innocent. Lightly gripping her hair, Alex forced her face close to his. The blond curls danced around his fingers and tickled the backs of his hands. " I 'm a bastard in bed, Zoe," he said quietly. " I 'm selfish and mean as the devil. I have to have all the control. And I 'm...not nice”