“...you showed me what love truly is just by giving yours so selflessly. I wasn't made for love. It wasn't [woven]into the fabric of my being. I didn't know what it was, what I was looking for, what I needed. I had no point of reference, no examples, nothing. Until you.”

“It's not the right word, Eva," he pressed on stubbornly, his lips at my ear. "That's why I haven't said it. It's not the right word for you and what I feel for you.""Shut up. If you care about me at all, you'll just shut up and go away.""I've been loved before--by Corinne, by other women...But what the hell do they know about me? What the hell are they in love with when they don't know how fucked up I am? If that's love, it's nothing compared to what I feel for you.”

“Are you sleeping with anyone?” The question was asked so casually it took a second to process what he’d said. I inhaled sharply. “Why is that any business of yours?” He looked at me and I saw what I’d seen the first time we’d met—tremendous power and steely control. Both of which had me taking an involuntary step back. Again. At least I didn’t fall this time; I was making progress. “Because I want to fuck you, Eva. I need to know what’s standing in my way, if anything.”

“I didn't know I was looking for anything until I saw you.”

“Are you sleeping with anyone?" ....... "Because I want to fuck you, Eva. I need to know what's standing in my way, if anything.”

“keep looking at me like that," he warned, leaning casually into the counter and sipping his coffee. "see what happens.""i'm going to lose my job over you.""i'd give you another one."i snorted. "as what? your sex slave?""what a provocative suggestion. let's discuss.”

“Until you, I didn't consider my past as an issue. Yes, it affected certain ways I did things, but everything had its place and I wasn't unhappy. In fact, I thought I had a comfortable and uncomplicated life.""Oh boy." My nose wrinkled. "Hello, Mr Comfortable. I'm Miss Complicated."His grin flashed. "Never a dull moment.”