“What about you? Girlfriend? Wife? Kids? Perhaps a gaggle of towheaded, extra large boys who already excel at sports and know how to make fire with the ass end of a lightning bug?”

“You look like you should be on a Wheaties box with this haircut.”

“Do you know how long Ive waited for you to look at me this way? She assumed he was teasing her. What are you talking about? You didnt even like me for most of the time weve known each other. He ben...”

“When do you leave? she asked. His fingers paused. Labor Day weekend. So soon. Only two and a half weeks away. She nodded, going for a joke. Good. Thats about when I was planning on getting sick of ...”

“He growled low in his throat. I dont think I can do this the nice way, Jessica.”

“So youre saying the balls in my court. He bent his head, stopping just before his mouth touched hers. The ball has always been in your court, Jessica, he said huskily. From the first moment I walke...”

“She was an idiot. An adorable, gorgeous, feisty, funny, sweet, sexy idiot.”

“Did you miss me?A little bit, she said with a shrug.You have tears running down your cheeks, he said with a grin. I think you missed me more than a little.”

“I don't know what the future holds. I only know that I want to be with you. You and me. Everything else is negotiable.”

“Im in, especially if theres a bad guy. Do I get to hurt a bad guy?”

“He was silent a moment; then he said, "I want a drink of water." She almost laughed aloud, because it was such a mundane request that could have been made of anyone, but then she saw the tension in...”

“Calmly, deliberately, he moved his hands down to her breasts and molded his fingers over them. Jay inhaled sharply, and he said, "Easy, easy," as he stroked the soft mounds. "Steve, no." But her ey...”