“We're not helpless, Anna.' He said that without his fangs, but I sure felt like he flashed his razors. Ignoring my instant shivers, or reveling in them, he let out an incredulous laugh. 'He doesn't stand a chance with all of us.' I wondered if excessive arrogance came with the sharp pointies. Nothing touches these guys, except a second bite of poison.”

“Yes, but I don't always remember that I talk now.' Sara hugged me for the second time in two minutes. 'Your voice is beautiful. You sound like you're singing,' I could see her little guy growing up. His terrible two's drive her crazy. She has a wedding ring on her finger. She has several bad hair phases.”

“I have two. You'll answer them, and then we'll be all done with this subject.' 'Hardly, but go ahead.' Somewhere between being angry with me, then trying to seduce me, he settled on being amused. I would rather the anger.”

“He stared at her and his smile slowly faded. He put his hands on his hips. He took a deep breath and felt tears gather in his eyes. “You’re all I need to be happy, Shelby,” he said. “You’re everything I need…”He actually surprised her. Her arms dropped from over her chest and she gaped at him for a second.“You’re everything,” he said. “It scares me to death, but I want it all with you. I want you for life. I want what you want, and I want it right now. Everything, Shelby. I want you to be the lead in my shoes that keeps me on the ground. The mother of my children. My best friend, my wife, my mistress. It’s a tall order.” He took a breath.“If you won’t quit, I won’t.”

“Anna, if you ever need me, call out and I'll be there. Always, Peter”

“It took a minute of staring before I realized that I had on only my mom-purchased fancy bra and panties. I jerked the covers up, blushing until my whole body felt like a portable heater. Bashfulness, that's new.”

“What are you doing here?”All right, he was standing in front of an easel, holding a paint palette and brush. “Taxidermy?” he responded with just a touch of his own sarcasm.”