“Edward, it will take time to find a willing and acceptable match, won't it? Decent men do not hang about at crossroads just waiting for ruined women to take them home.”

“You take control, Emma," he whispered. The words tickled her ear, he spoke them so close. Shivers raced down her neck, down her chest and her belly. "Take control of me. Come to me." Her neck arched, wanting his mouth to bite her. "If you do Emma, I may give you what you want. Or I may offer more than you can handle. Risk. That's what you like, isn't it? So play with fire. Play with me.”

“Buddies didn't have touchable breasts or intriguing vaginas. Buddies were people you burped around and bragged to about other women.”

“You know that's not what I mean! I just...I don't know what to do with men. I get nervous. I make too many jokes. I act like a kid sister instead of their fantasy sex machine.”

“Merry started and shook her head. No, even if the man were naked and in her shower right now, she could never just climb in there and start manhandling him. Not even in a fantasy. Because what she'd really do is screw up the courage to slip into the shower naked, and then she'd stand there awkwardly while he soaped himself. She'd probably crack a joke. Then make an excuse about how crowded it was and just slip away.”

“Jane Morgan had ruined him. Ridden him hard and put him up wet. He might never recover.Mentally he was even worse off. Who was this girl?”

“On the contrary, I like men. They are polite and helpful and necessary for dancing. And men are so handsome and different, aren't they?""Not all of us, clearly, but I'll let that go.”