“Don’t leave us again, Lana,” he whispered roughly. “Don’t leave me. Stay. Please.”

“I felt him sigh against me. “It was. But it didn’t mean anything. Please don’t use her to keep me at a distance”…”

“You ready to leave now? I don’t find the idea of fucking you against that wall behind you even slightly unpleasant. Exhibitionism has never been a problem for me. Is that something you’d like to try?”

“He reached for my hand, looking sad. “Don’t get hurt, Buttercup.” I shrugged. “Life hurts. As long as it doesn’t kill us, we weather it.”

“Is it romantic or psychotic when I say I'll never let you leave me?”

“This is paradise. You took my paradise with you when you left, Lana.”

“He lay down beside me, pulling me back to his chest and throwing his arm over me. “Mine,” he whispered in my ear.”