“He can't face you on an adult level, so he comes along and fucks up your truck. Classic payback method for the tiny-dick type.”

“Oh, God. God, isn't that perfect? He's Dad. He's Dad with a layer of nerd. Solid, steady, chipping away so patiently, you don't even know you've had your shields hacked down until you're defenseless. It's the type." "You're not in love with a type, you're in love with a man," Penny corrected. "Or you're not.”

“It's not right," he repeated, grabbing her again and turning her to face him. "I'm not having it.""So you said, in clear terms.""I don't mean that.""Oh, well, if you've decided you'd like to have sex with me after all, I've changed my mind.""I haven't decided--" He broke off, staggered. "Changed your mind?""I have. Kissing you wasn't altogether what I thought it would be. So you were right and I was wrong." She gave him a deliberately insulting pat on the cheek." And that's the end of it.""The hell it is." He trapped her against the truck, quickly and firmly enough to have both excitement and annoyance rising inside her. "If I want you, I'll have you, and that's the end of it.”

“Frog-faced?" Caine asked when he met Grant in the hall."Beauty's in the eye of the beholder," Grant said easily.With an appreciative grin, Caine leaned against one of the many archways. "You had Dad going. We all got one of his phone calls,telling us the Campbell was in a bad way and it was our duty-he being by way of family-to help him." The grin became wolfish. "You seem to be getting along all right on your own."Grant acknowledged this with a nod. "The last time I was here, he was trying to match me up with some Judson girl. I didn't want to take any chances.""Dad's a firm believer in marriage and procreation.”

“Just so we know where we stand, darling.""I'll tell you just where we stand, darling.I don't need your insulting offer.I'm running my life my way.""And that's been such a rousing success so far.""I know what I'm doing.Take that ridiculous smirk off your face.""I can't.It sticks there every time you say you know what you're doing." But he tucked all the papers back in his briefcase, closed it. "I'll say this,I don't think it's an entirely moronic idea-this place.""Well,I'll sleep easy now, knowing I have your approval.""Approval's a little strong.It's more like hopeful resignation." He gave the banister a last wiggle. "But I believe in you,Margo."Temper died into confusion. "Damn you, Josh.I can't keep up with you.""Good." He strolled over, flicked a finger down her cheek. "I think you're going to make something out of this shop that'll surprise everyone. Especially you." He leaned down,and when he kissed her this time it was light and friendly. "Got cab fare?""Excuse me?"Grinning, he pulled keys out of his pocket. "Fortunately, I had a spare set to the Jag. Don't work too late, duchess."She didn't smile until he was well out of sight.”

“It didn’t take him long, and he pulled up nearly nose-to-nose with Ash as they came in from opposite directions.“You shaved off your …” It couldn’t rightfully be called a beard, Brooks considered. “Face hair.”“Yeah, it got too hot.”“Uh-huh.”

“I’ve never been the one. Not for anybody.”He closed the distance between them. “You’ll get used to it.” He tipped her face up to his, kissed her.“Why? Why am I the one?”“Because my life opened up, and it flooded with color when you walked back into it.”