“She shuddered. “What is it with slobbery kissers? Are they trying to drown us in spit? I mean, Jesus, swallow every now and then.”

“Keep looking at me,” she said, laughing as though we were having an amusing conversation. “He’s staring at you. And I mean staring. That boy is undressing you with his eyes. Can you feel it?” Her expression was triumphant.Could I feel his stare? I can now, thanks, I thought.”

“I'm trying to protect you. From myself. I don't do..." he swung a finger back and forth between us"...this.”

“I'm going to arrange you, if that's okay?"I swallowed. "Uh... sure." My hands were clutched to my ribcage, my shoulders hunched almost to my ears. What, this isn't how you want me positioned?”

“Bonus: I now knew what Erin meant by lickable abs.”

“There's something uncontaminated about her, and I don't even mean sexually or whatever. I mean the way she is, at her core. Like when you wake up and the world has been blanketed by snow overnight, and not a single footstep or tire track has spoiled the untouched perfection of it.”

“I tilt her chin up and bend my face to hers, silently praising every woman who's had a hand in making her who she is.”