“He didn't slam the door, didn't rage, didn't weep, he simply left.”

“I didn't drown. I didn't break.”

“He held her gaze as he lowered his head toward her. He didn't kiss her though--just leaned kissably close and asked, "Will you let me take you in my arms... for a dance, Leslie?”

“But you didn't need me, did you? You'd already got yourself to safety.""Sometimes, I sleep better knowing you . . . and Niall . . ." She faltered."Love you from a safe distance," he finished."Yes.”

“She wanted something she didn't have words for- peace, numbness, something.”

“His blue-black hair fell over his face when he moved, like tiny arrows pointing to pronounced cheeckbones. "Starting to think you were going to bail on me." "Didn't know you were expecting me," she said in what she hoped was a casual voice. He gets sexier every day. "Not Expecting, but hoping. Always hoping”

“The reality was that while they might have eternity, there was violence on the horizon. And in the present. She wasn't intending on ignoring it. She couldn't. But she wasn't going to ignore them either. Just kiss me, ---.”A look of hesitation crossed his face, but he didn't push her away. He swept her legs from under her and lifted her into his arms. " -Darkest Mercy (p 28)”