“I wouldn't yell 'fire' at that slimeball if his ass was in flames.”

“I like you, Miss York, because you are wicked, and there can be no finer blessing for a man than a good and wicked wife. Wouldn't you agree?”

“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.”

“He tilted his head in such gracious acknowledgment that she felt churlish. 'I can assure you I've not yet squished a lady. Not even once.”

“I’ve had a rough six months, okay?” she cried. “Little Blue was my last friend,and frankly the last time his batteries ran out I had a fleeting moment of panicthat he’d been compromised!”

“You’re looking for a man who can fix you?”“No! I don’t expect a man to fix me! I’m not an idiot. I just want a man I can hide behind.”Chase’s eyebrows flew high. His mouth twitched up, and Jane felt her mouth twitch, too.“Jane, I’m no Dr. Phil, but I’m pretty sure you’re certifiably fucked-up.”“Shut up!”“It’s true. Man, if I wasn’t already in love with you, I’d be out of here.”

“She reached to give him an awkward hug, and when he hugged her back, his hand accidentallytouched her belly. It was surprisingly hard and something shifted beneath the surface.“Oh, shit!” he yelped, jerking back.“What’s wrong?”“It, uh, moved.”“Feels like an alien, doesn’t it? I swear to God, I have nightmares that it’s going to burst out of my stomach like a monster. But I think it’s prettyharmless.”