“Sleep, my love," He whispered, smoothing her long hair, lifting the damp locks away from the back of her neck. "I'll be here to watch over you.""You sleep too," she said groggily, her hand creeping to the center of his chest."No." McKenna smiled and pressed a soft kiss against her temple. His voice was husky with wonder. "Not when staying awake is better than anything I could find in a dream.”
In this exchange from Lisa Kleypas’s work, a tender moment unfolds between two characters, revealing the depth of their emotional connection. Through their dialogue and actions, the quote illustrates themes of love, protection, and the allure of reality over dreams.
The phrase “Sleep, my love,” immediately sets a tone of intimacy, with the addressing term "my love" indicating a deep affection between the characters. The act of smoothing her hair and lifting the damp locks conveys a nurturing and protective gesture, suggesting that the speaker is dedicated to her well-being. This physical touch enriches the emotional bond depicted in the scene.
When she responds, “You sleep too,” it suggests a reciprocal care; however, his reply, “No,” emphasizes his commitment to her safety over his own comfort. His choice to remain awake rather than succumb to sleep underlines a sense of devotion. This contrasts the two states of being: her need for rest and his willingness to sacrifice that for her peace.
McKenna’s reflection, “Not when staying awake is better than anything I could find in a dream,” encapsulates the quote’s essence. It signifies that his love for her and the act of guarding her are far more fulfilling than any fantasy his mind could conjure during slumber. This line poignantly highlights the beauty of reality, suggesting that love and connection create a dreamlike experience in their own right.
Overall, the quote serves not only as a sweet moment between lovers but also as a powerful reminder of the joys found in the reality of relationships, where the grounding presence of a loved one often surpasses the allure of dreams.
“When she awakened, Hunter was watching her with eyes like dark velvet."You're the last woman I'll ever make love to," he said, stroking her breast, toying with the rosy peak. She stroked his sun-streaked hair and the hard nape of his neck, loving the feel of him against her."Good," she whispered. "Keep me with you, Lara. I don't want to leave you.”
“Rest,” Logan said. “Both of you.” His caressing gaze moved over his wife and infant daughter.“I'll watch over you.”“Love me?” Madeline asked with a faint smile, and yawned again.“It used to be love.” He brushed his lips over her closed eyelids. “Now there's no word for it.”“You once told me that you thought love was a weakness.”“I was wrong,” he whispered, kissing the corners of her mouth. “I've discovered it's my onlystrength.”Madeline fell asleep with a smile still on her lips, her hand curled around his.”
“Leo smiled and stroked her hair. 'We'll both be fine, Marks. We've just begun our journey...and there's so much we have yet to do.' He spoke more softly as he heard her breathing turn even and steady. 'Rest against my heart. Let me watch over your dreams. And know that tomorrow morning, and every morning after that, you'll awaken next to someone who loves you.''Dodger?' she mumbled against his chest, and he grinned.'No, your confounded ferret will have to stay in his basket. I was referring to myself.''Yes, I know.' Catherine slid her hand up to his cheek. 'Only you,' she said. 'Always you.”
“You took advantage of me while I was sleeping," she said breathlessly. "That's not fair." Gentry's hand moved over her hip in a slow circle."I seldom play fair. It's usually easier to cheat."A sudden laugh bubbled in Lottie's throat. "You are the most shameless man I've ever encountered.""Probably," he conceded, pushing her hair aside and lowering his smiling mouth to the back of her neck.”
“I'm sorry." Her voice cracked. "McKenna-""Not sorry enough." He pressed his wet face to hers, his mouth rubbing over her cheeks and chin in feverish, rough half kisses, as if he wanted to devour her. "Not nearly enough. You say you've had to live without your heart...how would you like to lose your soul as well? I've cursed every day I've had to live without you, and every night that I spent with another woman, wishing that it was you in my arms-""NO-" she moaned."Wishing," he continued fiercely, "for some way to stop the memories of you from eating away at me until there was nothing left inside. I've found no peace anywhere, not even in sleep. Not even in dreams..." He broke off and assaulted her with hungry, shuddering kisses. The taste of his tears, his mouth, made Aline disoriented and hot, her head reeling from shocks of pleasure. McKenna seemed possessed by a passion that bordered on violence, his lungs wracked with hard breaths, his hands tightening with a force that threatened to leave bruises on her tender flesh. "By God," he said with the vehemence of a man to whom entirely too much had happened, "In the past few days I've suffered the torments of the damned, and I've had enough!”
“... He didn't know how to say good-bye. His throat ached from the strain of holding back his emotions. “I don't want to leave you,” he said humbly, reaching for her cold, stiff hands.Emma lowered her head, her tears falling freely. “I'll never see you again, will I?”He shook his head. “Not in this lifetime,” he said hoarsely.She pulled her hands away and wrapped her arms around his neck. He felt her wet lashes brush his cheek. “Then I'll wait a hundred years,” she whispered. “Or a thousand, if I must. Remember that, Nikki. I'll be waiting for you to come to me.”