“(His heart clenched as she made a kissing noise to him then handed the phone back to Vane. Gods, how he loved that woman.)Ahh, Tally, me lub you too. (Vane)Shut up, crotch-sniffer. You’re not allowed to make lovey noises at me, only my honey is. (Talon)”

“I’m just peachy. Even managed to keep most of my clothes on and everything. (Vane)Yeah, you do that. Don’t want your scrawny body making my Sunshine go blind or anything. (Talon)Trust me, if she hasn’t gone blind looking at your fat, hairy ass, mine’s not going to hurt her any. (Vane)Hairy? Excuse me, but you definitely have me confused with your brother. (Talon)”

“Can you take human form in daylight? (Talon)Obviously so. Ever tried to answer a phone without opposable thumbs? (Vane)”

“You must let the color to set for as long as it is possible.The darker the stain,the more that he loves you," she says,her English halting,broken, but the message is clear. Emphasized by the meaningful look she shoots Vane and me."Oh,we're not-" I start to say. We're not in love! But Vane's quick to stop me.Slipping an arm around my shoulder, he presses his lips to my cheek, bestowing on the old woman the kind of smile that encourages her to smile back in a startling display of grayed and missing teeth. His actions stunning me stupid, leaving me to sit slack faced and dumb-with heated cheeks,muddied hands, and a rising young breakout start draped over my back.Having never been in love,I admit that I'm definitely no expert on the subject. I have no idea what it feels like.Though I'm pretty sure it doesn't feel like this.I'm pretty dang positive Vane's just cast himself in yet another starring role-playing the part of my dashing young love interest,if only to appease this strange,Moroccan woman we'll never see again.Still,Vane is an actor,and an audience is an audience-no matter how small.”

“You’re safe, Lauren,” he murmured and my eyes came back to his.“You weren’t safe with him but, honey, swear to God, you’re safe with me.”

“If you’re trying to Seduce me, Vane, you’re a bit late. At his point I’m pretty much a sure thing for you.”