“There's a word for this in English," he mused, still soft. "I can't recall it. I've made you a...a fallen women. Yes?""Yes," I agreed, still smiling. "Thank you ever so much.""It's been entirely my pleasure," he said in Romanian, and I turned my face into his sleeve and began to laugh.”

“You’re naught but a human man. You couldn’t possibly understand.” He lifted a brow, still smiling. “Liar.” “Cutpurse.” “Runaway.”“Swindler!“Coward,” he said softly, and she jerked back.“Bastard!”“Undoubtedly true.” He made a short bow.”

“Whats it like, to be in love? The servants speak of it when they think I can't hear. I only wonder."Lia turned around and tossed the cushion back to the chaise lounge. She found she didn't have an answer to Mari's question. She couldn't say what she'd heard her sisters always say, It's thrilling, or It's bliss, or He makes me so happy. She raised her head and swallowed the strangeness in her throat, walking to the fireplace, to the pianoforte, pressing a finger against the honey-buffed wood. "It is," she said at last, "the most terrible feeling in the entire world." And she meant it."Yes," the girl agreed, examining her face. "I think it must be.”

“Lia, all that I am is what I do. I'm not meant for a tame sort of life, to dwell in bucolic splendor. I'm a city rat. I ache for it. I was made for it. And I wouldn't expect you to live as I do. I wouldn't want that for you. But its all I have to offer.""Then--I accept."He brought a hand to his forehead and began to laugh. "Its like being snared in a sugartrap. You wont listen.”

“Im going to kiss you, Eleanore" he said quietly, still looking at her. "Not now. Later." His eyes cut back to mine. "I thought it fair to tell you first." I stilled. "If you think you can do so without me biting your lip, feel free to try." His gaze shone wicked blue. "I dont mind if you bite." "Biting your lip off, I should have said." "Ah,Lets see how it goes, shall we?”

“Lia whispered, "I don't snore."And the thief angled his gaze warm to hers, offering his lazy smile. "Aye, love, but if you did, I'd still treasure every one.”

“I need to keep sharp. But when you're this damned close to me, all I think about is you. I think about your mouth, and I think about your breasts, and I think about your pink tongue and your legs wrapped around me. I think about touching you and you touching me--and then I look at you and you're giving me that look--yes, that one, just there, as if you want me to kiss you--please stop--" He exhaled on a hiss, tipping his head back against the wood and pressing two fingers to the bridge of his nose.”