“If you had a piece of coal, we could hold her down, shove it up her ass, and come collect a big, fat diamond in a few days.”

“Shawna smiles demurely at the attendant, her lips barely moving as she speaks to me. "If you had a piece of coal, we could hold her down, shove it up her ass and come collect a big fat diamond in a few days.""I'm pretty sure it takes longer than a few days for coal to turn into a diamond, Shawna.""Not in that tight ass, it wouldn't.”

“What Hardy had found, however, was that he liked taking care of her. He liked being her knight in shining armor. He liked spending those few extra minutes with her. So he did.”

“Her heart was in her eyes. He knew his heart was in his. Hardy couldn't hold back what he was feeling any longer. He was terrified he wouldn't get another chance to tell he if he did. squatting down beside her, Hardy brought Miracle's fingers to his lips. "Miracle, i'm in love with you. I'd never hurt you. Ever.”

“Hardy had long since come to terms with having an abusive father, but never in all the years that he had been abused had he encountered such sympathy. Miracle's reaction so warmed him, he wound his arms around her waist and pulled her close, melting into her compassion like an ice cube on hot pavement.”

“I smile and I look down at Olivia where she’s curled up against me, her beautiful face relaxed in sleep.I don’t want to put names to the things I feel for her. I just want her to know I’m not going anywhere. And that I want to take care of her. To make her happy. I hope that’s enough. It has to be.”

“If you’re really uncomfortable with this, you don’t have to do it.”I hold my breath as I lean back to get her answer, hoping the brave one will win out.And she does.Slowly, Olivia shakes her head and wiggles a little closer to me on the bar. Her eyes are sparkling with determination. And challenge. And it makes me jerk in my jeans.I grin at her. “All right. You asked for it,”