c2p-cmd/Good-Quotes-Authors huggingface dataset:
The stone blurred. The hole expanded to twice its previous size. Unable to believe she’d actually changed its shape, Jane threw all her weight into the next effort.An opening the size of a refrigerator formed and stabilized.Jane blinked in surprise. She looked over to Muttle. He smiled, delight dancing across his face.“Well, bless my buttons,” she exclaimed. “Come on, Scarecrow, we’re off to see the Wizard.” Taking her rescuer’s hand, she walked through the gap.
— Cheryl Sterling, What Do You Say to a Naked Elf?
Charlie touched her face gently with long, tanned fingers. “Sometimes I don’t know half of what you say, but I’m damn glad I get to hear it.”“I bet you say that to all the mortals,” she joked, then winced as the pain shot through her again.“You’ve been hurt,” he said, as if noticing for the first time all the blood and gore and exposed body goo.“Yeah, but it only hurts when I laugh.”“Then don’t laugh,” he murmured, finishing the old routine as if he’d been born into Vaudeville. His hands gently probed the edges of the gash.
— Cheryl Sterling, What Do You Say to a Naked Elf?
Charlie tipped her head up. “Are you sure? We’re a simple people. No automobiles or fancy gadgets.”“Simple?” She chuckled. “Ha! Worlds that think and kings that plot? Sandobbles and goblins, portals and two moons? You are sadly mistaken. Besides,” she said, tracing the edge of his forewing with the tip of her finger. He shuddered against her. “There’s magic here.
— Cheryl Sterling, What Do You Say to a Naked Elf?
But why are you giving this to me if you don’t believe?""Because I know that you do.
— Adria J. Cimino, Close to Destiny
You knew I would find you and you knew what I'd do when I did." -Cort (The Carver's Problem)
— B.L. Brooklyn
You are my heaven. I just never knew I’d find it here on Earth.
— Nancee Cain, Tempting Jo
They say the road to hell is paved with good intentions.  I have good intentions, but when a match strikes, fire follows.
— Nancee Cain, Tempting Jo
Who was I to meddle in people’s love lives? Mine was a mess. My heartwanted the one thing it wasn’t allowed to have — love with someone besides mycupid-appointed soul mate. I was so screwed up, I made the dysfunctionalrelationships on Jerry Springer look wholesome.
— Jenn Windrow, Struck By Eros
Take us to the in-between,Where earth meets sky, and wake meets dream.And time rushes by, unseen.Take us to the infinite night,Where up is down, and left is right,And dark vanquishes light.
— S.L. Stacy, Relapse
Dreagan is Scotland," Asher said. "The land draws you in a way you can no' begin to understand. You feel the majesty and magic of the ancient land. From the tallest mountain to the lowest valley, in the leaves of the trees and in the currents of the streams, you feel an overwhelming and unshakable need to want to be a part of such a place. To want to belong.It doesn't confine you. Instead, it cradles you, offering its beauty and solitude for those who answer its call. It's wild and free. It's fierce and unbreakable. It's home.
— Donna Grant, Dragon Fever
Guilt can be a very destructive emotion.
— Deborah Blake, Dangerously Charming
My teeth ache, my gums hurt, and my cat is tearing me apart, wanting you in every way imaginable. Your body. Your magic. Your fire spirit. Your blood.
— N.D. Jones, Of Beasts and Bonds
With a tug, I pulled Len off his knees, wrapped my arms around him, andhugged him close. Behind his back, I flashed a middle finger of defiance I hopedCupid saw high up on Mount Olympus.Fuck soul mates. Fuck Grayson. Fuck Cupid.I was keeping the ring.
— Jenn Windrow, Struck By Eros
He set his whisky tumbler on the table, but kept his fingers around it. "What do you see in my eyes?"..."Tell me, lass," he urged softly.She suddenly understood the term 'old soul,' because one sat before her now. And, as if opening a book, she caught a glimpse of Asher. The words then tumbled out of her mouth. "Endlessness. Sorrow. Agony. Distress. Rage.
— Donna Grant, Dragon Fever
Victoria was so wrong about me. I expected them to put me first, above everyone else.I am selfish. I am weak. I am bad.And I need Jasper. I need him like I need air to breathe. No—somehow, that cliché doesn’t seem quite right. He’s more like a shot of whiskey after a hard day. A burst of heroin in my burning veins.He is my drug. My ambrosia.I can’t live without him.
— S.L. Stacy, Relapse
In the middle of the night, she'd woken up with a memory of her grandmother's voice ringing in her ears. "When it happens," the older woman had said, holding on to Jenna's hand with surprising strength for someone with one foot in the grave, "and it will, don't stay in the cities. She can find you in the city. Too many eyes and whispering tongues that no one can see. Run to the woods, far away from everything and everyone you ever knew. Run, girl, run as far and as fast as you can.
— Deborah Blake, Dangerously Charming
The shadows parted and a large head took shape, looming above her.Her mouth fell open when she spied the silver scales covering the wide head of the dragon. She took in the slitted obsidian eyes that were trained on her and tried to scream, but no sound came out.The head moved farther out of the darkness to reveal a row of dark silver tendrils at the base of his skull and disappearing into the shadows. More of those same dark silver tendrils surrounded his mouth, which parted to show her rows of very sharp white teeth.She could swear he smiled, a growl rumbling through his chest.Death was staring her right in the face.And there was no escaping it.
— Donna Grant Reilly, Dragon Fever
As good as that dress looks on you, I want you out of it.
— Donna Grant Reilly, Dragon Fever
Asher," she begged.His lips brushed her ear before he nipped the lobe. "I have a fever. It's for you, a ghràidh.""You make me burn.""Then we'll burn together.
— Donna Grant, Dragon Fever
i'm going to brand myself on you so that whenever you dress, wash, or even think of being with someone else, all you'll feel, see and want is me.
— Donna Grant, Dragon Fever
Len’s arm brushed against mine. I pulled the cream and gold comforter overmy shoulders and cuddled closer, wishing I could stay in bed all day and snuggle.But Cupid’s minions didn’t get sick days or holidays or time off for good behavior.Instead, I got a demanding boss, no pay, and chained to a man-whore till death dous part.I’d complain, but I didn’t think Cupid’s minions had a union.
— Jenn Windrow, Struck By Eros
Then her imagination ran away with her. In Beckit’s head, her super-hot former stalker was just about to kiss all of her sorrows away.In real life, he was simply removing a small glop of toothpaste that had ended up on the outside of Beckit’s mouth.Nice. Wonderful. Faaantastic.Beckit cringed inside as her embarrassment was rivaled only by her newfound hatred for wandering fluoride.
— M.A. Wilder, Armored
Hi, name’s Ran.” The werewolf smiled, hand extended.Silence.Ran mimicked the knight’s deep voice, while pretending to shake an invisible hand. “Hi, I’m the Amyntor.”More silence.“Oh, it’s a pleasure to meet you,” the werewolf said in his own voice. “No, the pleasure’s all mine,” he said in Atlas’s voice.After yet more silence, Ran coughed into his fist before turning to look down the line at Aaron. “I see where you get your sense of humor from.
— M.A. Wilder, Armored
Sisters we gather,In answer to the call,To fulfill our destinyAs guardians this side of the wall.“Where the fabric wears thin,And our enemy’s at hand,We must thrust him backInto his own land.“We honor our legacyAnd before the night is done,Sisters past, present and futureWill unite as one.
— S.L. Stacy, Reborn
We mustn't speak of nightmares here, girly. Evil feeds on 'em, don't ya know it." Mr Trinozka (character)
— Shayne Leighton, Of Light and Darkness
Aww." Sarah patted Mr Trinozka on one of his shoulders. "How cute are you?" She turned to Charlotte. "I love country monsters." Sarah, Witch of the 13th Generation
— Shayne Leighton, Of Light and Darkness
Trust her heart, Assefa, and believe in yourself. No matter the challenge, no matter the foe, be brave, be wise, be the undefeated Mngwa of lore.
— N.D. Jones, Of Beasts and Bonds
A bedraggled woman stood on his doorstep in the pouring rain, and his first impulse was to slam the door in her face.	But she had clearly come as far as she could; her pale face was twisted in pain, and she shivered convulsively beneath a denim jacket that was as soaking wet as the rest of her. Long black strands of hair hung down in twisted ribbons like seaweed in the vanishing daylight, reminding him of a sea creature he'd once dated briefly in his more adventurous youth.
— Deborah Blake, Dangerously Charming
I swore I wasn't going to rescue any more damsels in distress," Day muttered.	To his surprise, Barbara gave him a lopsided grin, banging on the side of the trailer to make it produce a door. "What makes you think she isn't rescuing you?" she asked, and stomped inside without a backward look.
— Deborah Blake, Dangerously Charming
Hello to you too, sunshine.”Pulling a book out of my bag, I cracked it open and settled into my time-toignore-Grayson pose. A pose that took me weeks to perfect. “Let’s not pretend weenjoy each other’s company.”“Don’t you get sick of always being…” He waved his hand back and forth inmy direction like a conductor guiding an orchestra. “You?”“What’s that supposed to mean?”“Just that if the stick in your ass got any higher we could hang a flag over yourhead and declare you your own state.
— Jenn Windrow, Struck By Eros
A rising tide of desire threatened to swamp her like a tidal wave, washing away fear and doubt and leaving behind it the knowledge that in her topsy turvy life, she was certain of only one thing: she wanted this man, right now, and she'd deal with the consequences later....	"I want to make love to you," he said, his voice low and thrumming through her veins as if it were a music only she could hear.
— Deborah Blake, Dangerously Charming
Suddenly, it seemed like I could see through her eyes and experience what she was experiencing. It blew my mind because I had never had that happen.
— Brey King, Destiny's Mate
She kissed his chest. "Thanks for letting me into your heart."	He tucked her hair behind her ear. "You walked in like you had a key.
— Lisa Kessler, Lure of Obsession
The nine Greek Muses, awakened again for this generation of man and meant to inspire mankind forward in the sciences and the arts.
— Lisa Kessler, Lure of Obsession
Why don't you come with me to the station? We can talk, and I'll treat you to a bad cup of coffee."	"You make it sound pretty tempting.
— Lisa Kessler, Lure of Obsession
He twisted the heavy gold ring around his finger. It had been in his family for generations, passed down to each eldest child along with the family mission of once again ushering in the Golden Age of Man.	His great-great-grandfather had been the first of their Order to make physical progress toward the ultimate goal: to free the powerful prisoners from the center of the Earth.
— Lisa Kessler, Lure of Obsession
Every generation, the nine daughters of Zeus are reborn, and with their rebirth are also nine Guardians. They will be marked by the gods, and given gifts to protect his treasure. Their abilities will only be unlocked when they find their muse.
— Lisa Kessler, Lure of Obsession
Scars and a thrill seeker. Gods help her...
— Lisa Kessler, Lure of Obsession
The Order of the Titans had agreed with his assessment. This generation, the Order would be successful where previous generations had failed, because this time they would steal mankind's inspiration. They would kill the muses for the greater good....	For the good of mankind.
— Lisa Kessler, Lure of Obsession
A digital wall of masks stared back at him. His finger rolled the mouse in a slow downward scroll.	"Okay, you bastard. Where are you?
— Lisa Kessler, Lure of Obsession
You’ve become a fire within me.” He pressed her palm to the center of his chest. “Right here. Bringing light to places I never knew were in shadow.” His breath shuddered out of him. “I can’t go back to the darkness, Fiona.” Suza Kates, Chosen Blood
— Suza Kates, Chosen Blood
Amber was busy flirting with a rookie named Dead Meat if he didn’t stop flirting back. She was eleven, for heaven’s sake! Of course, he may have just been humoring her. And it was a little cute. In a gross, Chester-the-molester kind of way.
— Darynda Jones, First Grave on the Right
You just seem so sad,” I said, dialing voice mail. “Like someone stole your favorite nine millimeter.”“I’m not sad.” He started down the hall, then turned back. “Least not when I look at you.”.
— Darynda Jones, First Grave on the Right
Gemma had blond hair and blue eyes. I did not.Gemma was always an A student. I was more of a B-all-you-can-be kind of gal.When Gemma was into science, I was into skipping.When Gemma was into foreign languages, I was into the hot Italian guy down the street.
— Darynda Jones, First Grave on the Right
And I like the light-up.”“The what?”“The light-up,” he’d say. “You know, that look people get when they finally realize you’re for real. It’s like electricity. It makes me tingle all over. Like a blanket full of static.”Ew. “Really? I’ve never heard that.”“Yeah, and I like it when people realize we’re out here.”I leaned in close once and asked him, “Do you want your mom to realize you’re out here? Do you want her to know?”“Nah. It took her too long to get over me.”All in all, he was a good kid.
— Darynda Jones, First Grave on the Right
The woman eyed Ubie a moment before grabbing a pen and writing down the dates I had. Ubie eyed her back. Sparks flew.
— Darynda Jones, First Grave on the Right
We’re going down to the Margarita Grill to smell the lobster, then we’re going to watch the sunrise, and in between we’ll probably have hot, unsafe animal sex.
— Darynda Jones, First Grave on the Right
Bryce carried her to the bed and lowered her onto it. He crawled to her with a predatory look, leaving her no doubt she was the prey. "I promise to make you feel good.
— Lisa Carlisle, Knights of Stone: Bryce
Patience, beautiful," he uttered in a low tone.
— Lisa Carlisle, Knights of Stone: Bryce
Lose the dress first next time. So you don't deprive me of the chance to see you naked, again.
— Lisa Carlisle, Knights of Stone: Bryce
The more time I spend with you lot, the more I wonder if you forget to shift your brains from stone," she added with a grin.	Gavin laughed. "Not our brains. Our cocks maybe.
— Lisa Carlisle, Knights of Stone: Bryce
Cupping her chin, he said, "Sexiest female I've ever seen."	One side of her mouth turned up with a smile while her eyes twinkled. "Even gray and leathery?"	"Ever so bonny.
— Lisa Carlisle, Knights of Stone: Bryce
I will give you my days... but, my dear sorceress, your nights are mine.
— Bec McMaster, Shadowbound
No longer was she living moment to moment in a hyper-vigilant state, she was reminded of more primal needs. She was a female in the arms of a very potent male.
— Lisa Carlisle, Knights of Stone: Bryce
Nobody's having any babies, yet," Mason said, spreading both arms wide. Still pale after the onslaught of questions, he managed to smirk at his brothers and add, "Although I'm enjoying the practice of making them.
— Lisa Carlisle, Knights of Stone: Bryce
We've learned it's better to work together to create more possibilities for all, rather than cling to past prejudices.
— Lisa Carlisle, Knights of Stone: Bryce
What in bloody hell is going on back there?" Angus boomed. "Some kind of cross-species orgy!
— Lisa Carlisle, Knights of Stone: Bryce
Her eyes widened. "You showed them what you are?"	"Aye. We put on quite the show. Shifted from stone, played our unique blend of music, and then flew into the air when the concert was over.
— Lisa Carlisle, Knights of Stone: Bryce
I told my brothers what happened. Are you ready to come meet them?"	She straightened. "Aye."	"I warn you," he teased in an attempt to lighten the mood. "They're big, burly bampots.
— Lisa Carlisle, Knights of Stone: Bryce
What a surprising turn of events. He'd only come out here to question the intruder he'd spotted while watching from his stone repose. Instead, he'd found a gargoyle who needed a place to stay. Not what he'd expected.
— Lisa Carlisle, Knights of Stone: Bryce
Sam could feel his jaw drop open, but it took him a moment to gather himself together enough to shut it. He blinked at Jazz. "Did that cat just talk, or am I losing my mind?"	Koshka laughed, a bizarre sound coming from something with whiskers and ear tufts. "So you believe in witches but not to talking cats? You have a very limited worldview, Human. You might want to work on that.
— Deborah Blake, Wickedly Powerful
Sam started to move away, and she pulled him closer.	"Where are you going?" she asked.	"Shhh," he said. "I'm just going to grab the blanket and turn out the light. I'll be right back."	Bella chuckled sleepily and waved her right hand. The blanket lifted off the back of the chair where she'd left it and came slowly sailing across the room to drape itself over their entwined bodies. A snap of her fingers and the single lamp in the kitchen went out.	Sam blinked in the sudden darkness. "You're a very handy woman to have around," he said.	"You have no idea," she replied, and proceeded to demonstrate that she wasn't quite as tired as he'd thought.
— Deborah Blake, Wickedly Powerful
Get your fang boner under control. Your freaking out my person
— Alanea Alder, My Guardian
They are my baby Keelans!
— Alanea Alder, My Guardian
You can't adopt people like kittens! Aiden growled. 'I wouldn't know; someone wouldn't let me get a kitten', Meryn retorted. 'Fine, you can have a kitten, no people''Too late
— Alanea Alder, My Guardian
I've been wearing my super gown because someone won't let me go get maternity clothes because they are being a paranoid, drama bear
— Alanea Alder, My Guardian
How do you poop? Where does it go? If you get more prestigious as you go down, aren't you shitting on the upper classes?
— Alanea Alder, My Guardian
Can I ride you next time? You can be my battle cat! That would be so cool!
— Alanea Alder, My Guardian
you don't have the luxury of whipping out your dicks and seeing who's bigger
— Alanea Alder, My Guardian
This first time , my Sprite friend went for help, then Aiden went all shifter Hulk version and Loki'd the feral's ass. Whap, whap
— Alanea Alder, My Guardian
They're mine
—  I adopted them' Meryn declared cheerfully
I straddled his lap and sank onto him so slowly I almost lost it. Each inch of him filled my already sensitive body. Nose to nose with him, I whispered. "You come with me.'His mouth curved into a wicked smile. "Happily.
— Lisa Kessler, Blue Moon
When I turned, I found myself looking at my reflection in the mirror. The dressing room lights surrounded it like a frame, but with the rest of the lighting off, only the center of the mirror was visible. Just us.His gaze locked on mine as his hands slid slowly up from my hips. His fingers splayed wide, teasing me as they made their slow journey up my waist while his lips were at my ear. "I want you to see how sexy you are, and hot you make me.
— Lisa Kessler, Blue Moon
She haunts my dreams.Shadows of the past.Ripping my heart down the seams.No one to blame but me.I'm a lone wolf now, but I still stare up at the moon, Call her name and wonder if she's looking too...
— Lisa Kessler, Blue Moon
Make me howl, make me scream,Things are never what they seem.Lay me out, end the pain,Now I'll never be the same.Deep inside, there I cry,Yet you still just pass me by.Can't you see, this is me,And I'm Howling! I'm Howling! I'm Howling!
— Lisa Kessler, Blue Moon
She swung her legs around his waist and crossed her ankles behind his back. “I like the way your mind works,” she panted before losing herself in the sensation of his hardness rubbing against her core. Lief took the few steps across the room to the bed in record time and flung her down on the covers. He leaned back to tear his clothes off. “My mind hardly works at all when you are near.” She chuckled leaning back on her elbows, enjoying the view of naked flesh being revealed. She rose up on her knees and traced the ridges on his chest and abdomen. As her fingers trailed down toward his proud shaft, he captured her wrists.“Be careful.” He smiled down at her. “I’m loaded and might go off any minute.”She laughed. “You’ve been watching too many old Western movies with Harold.
— Asa Maria Bradley, Viking Warrior Rising
Can’t a girl wear something pretty without you getting ideas of bedding her?” Naya reached up, putting her hand behind his neck to pull him down for a kiss. She’d never get enough of touching him. Of trusting him.
— Asa Maria Bradley, Viking Warrior Rising
Why are you walking through the wood alone?
— Lisa Carlisle, Knights of Stone: Mason
The tree witches kept to themselves, a self-sufficient coven specializing in certain skills. The witches sang, played music, and danced at the gatherings around the fire, but nothing like what she'd experienced when the gargoyles transformed. After the first night, she was hooked.It was a risk to return but one she was willing to take. She'd ventured to that different world to hear the unique groups, especially to watch the guitarist with hair as black as midnight.
— Lisa Carlisle, Knights of Stone: Mason
The five statutes loomed above the crowd, still and timeless. The last light of the setting sun cast an eerie glow around them. When she fixed her gaze on Mason's stone form, her heart thumped. She scanned every inch of his silhouette, wondering about the spark of life within the stone that would animate him into flesh. A warm-blooded male with a heated touch and sensuous lips that made her melt.
— Lisa Carlisle, Knights of Stone: Mason
I'm consumed with thoughts of you. Have you bewitched me?
— Lisa Carlisle, Knights of Stone: Mason
They soared past the dark shapes of animals, grazing in the fields."What are they?" she asked."Sheep," Mason replied. "I once heard someone describe them as floating like clouds across the hills.
— Lisa Carlisle, Knights of Stone: Mason
Heat radiated from him, penetrating her like the sun warming her on hot midsummer days. It coiled inside her, low in her belly, and sank lower. She recognized it, the magic between lovers. Intoxicating and intense. An all-consuming attraction. The air between them shimmered with energy, an irresistible force connecting them.
— Lisa Carlisle, Knights of Stone: Mason
In decades past, the three clans of the island - tree witches, gargoyles, and wolves, had cloaked their land with many layers of protection. Their combined magic had created such a powerful force it had remained undetected by human technology. When a feud erupted between the witches and gargoyles twenty-five years ago it led to a division of land. Without reinforcements from the clans' combined magic, the protection seeped away.
— Lisa Carlisle, Knights of Stone: Mason
Sam held one of the mice up by its tail over the box and then hesitated. "Her, you want to have a go?"...	If Sam thought she was going to squeal at the sight of nature in the raw, he had a lot to learn.	Bella fed the owlet, cheering as he gulped down his food with a greedy intensity that bode well for the little guy's future recovery. And she grinned to herself when she heard Sam mutter under this breath. "This has got to be the weirdest first date in history.
— Deborah Blake, Wickedly Powerful
Bella laughed, her head thrown back to expose the smooth line of her throat, and Sam suddenly lost his train of thought. While they'd been eating, the sun had set, and the sight of Bella standing in the moonlight laughing took his breath away. He didn't think he'd ever seen anything so beautiful in his life.	And that was more terrifying than any fire.
— Deborah Blake, Wickedly Powerful
You know, like Prince Charming. Because you never know, maybe he's an enchanted prince under an evil spell."	"Life isn't a fairy tale, you know," Sam said.	"Wanna bet?" The teen smirked at him.
— Deborah Blake, Wickedly Powerful
You're welcome to join us again sometime," Bella said....	"Right. Well, I don't know." Sam looked at the ground. scuffing one boot in the dirt. "I'm usually not very good company."	"I'm hanging out with a teenager and a temperamental cat." Bella said with a small smile. "The bar is set very low around here.
— Deborah Blake, Wickedly Powerful
Son, if you were any farther from fine you'd be in Nebraska.
— Deborah Blake, Wickedly Powerful
You say wicked like it's a bad thing.
— Deborah Blake, Wickedly Powerful
You should stay," he repeated. "The worst of the storm may be over, but it is still raining. It's pitch-black out there, and you're already tired and soaked to the bone. "Not exactly great conditions for riding a dirt bike. I wouldn't want you to get hurt."	Bella took another small step toward him, tilting her head up so she could look into his eyes.	"And that's the only reason you want me to stay?" To keep me safe?"	Sam shook his head. "No. Not the only reason." And he leaned down to kiss her, suddenly realizing he'd been wanting to do it since the day he met her.
— Deborah Blake, Wickedly Powerful
I have no clue what happened to my best friend, the one who played with me on the playground when no one else would. But this Logan…” She gestured from my shoes on up. “This Logan can kiss my ass.
— Lisa Kessler, Blue Moon
You made me feel like I was the most important person in the world to you, and then you showed me I never really mattered at all.” I stood up. “I hate you for that, Log
— Lisa Kessler, Blue Moon
I should walk away again. But “should” could go fuck itself. Giving her up the first time nearly killed me, and hurting her again wasn’t an option.None of it would matter if I couldn’t convince her to give me another chance. While she said she hated me, her body told another story. Her pulse had raced, and the scent of her arousal haunted me.Plus, she kissed me back.
— Lisa Kessler, Blue Moon
She shook her head, her smile fading a little. “I forget you’re a rock star now. To me, you’re just Logan.”I took her hand. “That’s all I want to be.
— Lisa Kessler, Blue Moon
You want to prove you never stopped loving me?” She got up and stared down at me. “Start by trusting me with the truth.
— Lisa Kessler, Blue Moon
Enough.” I rolled my eyes and would’ve smacked him with my laptop if I wasn’t worried his hard head would break my computer. “Please don’t make me throw up.”He finally glanced my way, the corner of his mouth quirked up into a crooked smile. “God, I’ve missed you.
— Lisa Kessler, Blue Moon
Props?”  She was almost afraid to ask.“Just the usual.  Stethoscope, tongue depressor... scalpel, bone saw, rib spreaders… just the normal stuff.”“Maybe in future you should ditch the props, be less Nurse Ratched and more soft porn first day on the job candy striper.”Darcy look genuinely puzzled for a brief moment. “Where would the fun be in that for me?
— Jane Cousins, To Thrill A Thief
Katarina wasn’t afraid of Baden. Not anymore.He took a step to the side, intending to move around her. Oh, no. She flattened her hands on his shoulders, keeping him in place.“I want to know what’s wrong with you.” She said. “Tell me.”He snapped his teeth at her in a show of dominance. “You think you want to know my problem. You’re wrong.”Her tone dry, she said, “I’m so glad you know my mind better than I do.”“Very well. I need sex.” He threw the words at her as if they were weapons. “Badly.”Whoa. Blindside!Heart pounding, she jerked her hands away from him. “Sex...from me?”“Yesss.” A hiss. “Only from you.”Only. Amazing how one little word could send pleasure soaring through her, warming her. “You told me never to touch you.” Which she’d just done, she realized. My bad.“I’ve changed my mind.” His gaze dropped, lingered on her lips.Burning her... “But you and I...we’re a different species.” As if that mattered to her body. Gimme! He took a step closer, invading her personal space. “We’ll fit, I promise you.” Tristo hrmenych! The raspy quality of his voice, all smoke and gravel...she shivered with longing. Must resist his allure.But...but...why? Before she’d committed to Peter, she’d dated around, had made out in movie theaters, cars and on couches. She’d liked kissing and touching and “riding the belt buckle,” as her friends had called it. Then, after committing to Peter, she’d gifted him with her virginity. At first, he hadn’t known what to do with her—he’d been just as inexperienced—and she’d left each encounter disappointed. When finally she’d gathered the courage to tell him what she wanted, he’d satisfied her well.She missed sex. But connection...intimacy...she thought she missed those more.The dogs barked, jolting her from her thoughts. They’d cleaned their food bowls, and now wanted to play. She clasped Baden’s hand to lead him out of the kennel. He jerked away, severing contact.One action. Tons of hurt.“I’m allowed to touch you and you want to have sex with me, but you’re still disgusted by me.” She stomped outside the kennel, done with him. “Well, I’m leaving. Good riddance! Your do-what-I-say-or-else attitude was annoying, anyway.”He darted in front of her, stopping her. Breath caught in her throat as sunlight streamed over him, paying his chiseled features absolute tribute, making his bronzed skin glimmer.So beautiful. Too beautiful.“I’m not disgusted by you. You need me. I’ve come to accept it,” he admitted, looking away from her. “But being skin-to-skin with another is painful for me. We’ll have to proceed carefully. And you’ll get over your annoyance.”Another order! She would show him the error of his ways.
— Gena Showalter, The Darkest Torment
Hey, what are you doing with your hand?”   Eli’s voice came out high pitched in surprise, as she clutched at Rafe’s shoulders.“It’s the best place for leverage if you’re going to make that ladder.”“My ass?  Really?” “What can I say, I’ve done the math, factored in the weight and height ratios and your ass is definitely where I will gain the most leverage in lifting you.
— Jane Cousins, To Thrill A Thief
He took a deep breath. "I'm a dragon, Samantha."	"Oh, my God."	His lips twitched. "Even when I look like a man."	"A dragon," she repeated.	"Yes.
— Erin Kellison, Awakened by Fire
Love and hate aren't as far apart as you think.
— Lisa Kessler, Blue Moon
I never thought my life would end like this. Being hunted by mythological creatures in my pajamas. Honestly, it never entered my mind.
— Amanda  Carlson, Struck
I ordered a hot chocolate and Chandler got a black coffee. He smiled over at me. "Still no love for coffee?"I shook my head. "Nah, why have bitter and gross when I can have sweet and delicious?
— Lisa Kessler, Blue Moon
Come closer." His voice was more of a growl than a whisper. Hot.
— Lisa Kessler, Blue Moon
His deep voice rumbled. "You are all that ever mattered to me.
— Lisa Kessler, Blue Moon
They say past performance is indicative of future behavior. If there was any truth to that statement, then I knew I had to be careful of the choices I made. My decisions were much more crucial now, as they affected the entire human population. One wrong move, and I could possibly wipe out the world. That was one thing I definitely didn't want on my shoulders.
— Christine Gabriel, Crimson Forest
She went on tiptoe and pecked his cheek with a kiss. Daring of her, she knew.	His green eyes went dragon-gold and sharp, the bones of his forehead morphing slightly to suggest the crowned brow of the dragon inside. At least he was smiling, though it was the kind of greedy grin that would send most people running in the opposite direction.	Not her.	"Let's just get this over with," she said.	"Yes." His voice had gone rumbly. "And then on to something else.
— Erin Kellison, Awakened by Fire
Nothing can age a dragon, but you just might be the exception.
— Erin Kellison, Awakened by Fire
I'm glad you turned cartwheels here."	Samantha heard the note of loneliness in his voice. "You did hear me say back tuck? Because that was my coolest move."	His arm came around her shoulders, and they started across the space again. "Back tuck. Coolest move. Got it.
— Erin Kellison, Awakened by Fire
Two human families have died out on me in the past century alone."	Warrick inclined his head. "It might help if you didn't eat members of your staff when you're displeased.
— Erin Kellison, Awakened by Fire
She'd survived Brandon. Just to die all over again. "Well, hell."	He smiled wanly at her. "Indeed.
— Erin Kellison, Awakened by Fire
Heat roared within him. Greedy heat. He wanted her....	She was in over her head, and it seemed... so was he.
— Erin Kellison, Awakened by Fire
The dragon in him didn't want to give her a choice. Just wrap around her and smolder smugly, daring anyone who came near to cross him. Mine.
— Erin Kellison, Awakened by Fire
It'll all be over soon, and you can go back to ruling the world." She slid off her stool....	He watched her go. Felt unaccountably lonely.	"When did I stop ruling the world?" he called after her.
— Erin Kellison, Awakened by Fire
OMG I just saw Warrick Voclain on 5th Ave! #DragonSighting #DragonInMyPants #Dragons #RuinedForAllOtherMen.
— Erin Kellison, Awakened by Fire
He gaped at her. "You want me to wear it?"	"Yes. That's what a chain of diamond is for....Wear it. Wear it all the time, even when you sleep. I need you to wear it. I got it for you."	"You've had it for twenty years." At least.	"I was trying it on.
— Erin Kellison, Awakened by Fire
What happened?""I f***ed Titan.""Ah.""Actually, it was more like 'Yes, please, may I have another?
— Misty Kayn, Alien Fae Mate
Humans don't leap buildings. Stuntmen with harnesses do. And won't my crashing eight stories to the ground be detrimental to the mission? The dark elves will swarm me and take me hostage instantly."	"That might be true, but you're not going to fall," he said.
— Amanda  Carlson, Struck
Yes," he replied. "We are --- how do you say on Midgard -- between a hard place and tree.
— Amanda  Carlson, Struck
He kissed her softly. "I think we both need time to get to know one another before we make love again. I don't want to rush things.""But mating us so we're connected for all eternity isn't rushing things?
— Carrie Ann Ryan, Prowled Darkness
Some things were only possible in fairy tales. And not the kind of fairy tales that Baba Yagas featured in
—  those tended not to have happy endings.
What am I?" she asked ..."You are mine," he answered roughly, his forehead still on hers.
— Carrie Ann Ryan, Prowled Darkness
True love was a gift. Some people never recognized true love, while others allow true love to slip through their fingers
— D.F.   Jones, Anna's Way
It wasn't every day that a lion shifter next in line to the throne, dealing with a possible uproar and war in his Pride, found himself a soon-to-be father with a not-so-human potential mate after he'd left her all alone because he'd been forced to hurt her. There weren't any manuals for this sort of thing....
— Carrie Ann Ryan, Prowled Darkness
You scared the life out of me.""Good thing cats have nine lives, then," she teased.
— Carrie Ann Ryan, Prowled Darkness
He wouldn't grovel, wouldn't fall to his knees and beg forgiveness. He was the son of the Leo, the King of all lions. He would, one day soon, be the Leo and reign over his people. He couldn't fall for her more than he already had, but he could hope she could see how he felt.Because if she didn't, he wasn't sure what he would do next.
— Carrie Ann Ryan, Prowled Darkness
Chewie gave a bone-scented sigh and rubbed his jowl affectionately against her leg. "I can't tell you what to do, Beka. I can just tell you that I would be very sorry if you weren't my Baba. I've kind of gotten used to having you around."Beka blinked back unexpected emotion. "Thanks, Chewie. That's really sweet."He was quiet for a moment, and then said. "You know what's really sweet? S'mores, that's what." He gazed up at her with an innocent expression. "Just sayin'.
— Deborah Blake, Wickedly Wonderful
Er, hello, Chewie," he said politely."Woof," the dog said back."Chewie is a Newfoundland," Beka explained. "They're great water dogs. They swim better than we do, and even have webbed feet. They're often used for water rescue, and the breed started out as working dogs for fishermen.""Uh-huh... Chewie - I guess you named him for Chewbacca in Star Wars. I can see why; they're both gigantic and furry."Beka giggled. "I never thought of that. Actually, Chewie is short for Chudo-Yudo. Also, he chews on stuff a lot, so it seemed fitting.""Chudo what?" Marcus said. The dog made a snuffling sound that might have been canine laughter."Chudo-Yudo," Beka repeated. "He's a character out of Russian fairy tales, the dragon that guards the Water of Life and Death. You never heard of him?"Marcus shook his head. "My father used to tell the occasional Irish folk tale when I was a kid, but I'm not familiar with Russian ones at all. Sorry.""Oh, don't be," she said cheerfully. "Most of them were pretty gory, and they hardly ever had happy endings.""Right." Marcus looked at the dog, who gazed alertly back with big brown eyes, as if trying to figure out if the former Marine was edible or not. "So, you named him after a mythical dragon from a depressing Russian story. Does anyone get eaten in that story, just out of curiosity?"Chewie sank down onto the floor with a put-upon sigh, and Beka shook her head at Marcus. "Don't be ridiculous. Of course people got eaten. But don't worry. Chewie hasn't taken a bite out of anyone in years. He's very mellow for a dragon.
— Deborah Blake, Wickedly Wonderful
The boy stuck his hand out politely and shook hers, then extended it to Fergus, his eyes bright as stars in the night sky. "That's cool," he said, looking down at Fergus's hand and turning it sideways so he could get a better look. "You have little webs between your fingers. Does that hep you swim?"Marcus cleared his throat, looking embarrassed. "Tito, dude, it's not polite to comment on people's, um, oddities." He shrugged an apology at Fergus, who just laughed."I do not mind," Fergus said, grinning at the dark-skinned boy. He leaned down and whispered. "Can you keep a secret? I am actually a Merman from an undersea kingdom; that is why I have webs between my fingers." He held up one bare foot and said in a more normal tone, "Toes, too, see?"Tito's face was a study in conflicting awe and disbelief. "I never heard of a Merman," he said, dubiously. "I thought there were only Mermaids. And they're made up."Fergus snorted. "If you do not have any Mermen, how would get more Mermaids, eh?
— Deborah Blake, Wickedly Wonderful
Telling a male lion not to be a lion wasn't exactly the easiest thing in the world.
— Carrie Ann Ryan, Prowled Darkness
Marcus gave her a slow, wicked smile, feeling the smoldering heat rise to the surface like molten lava, irresistible as a force of nature. "If you insist," he whispered, and bent his head to capture her lips with his own. He put all his yearning, all his gratitude for the gifts she'd given him, all that heat bubbling up within him into the kiss, feeling her lips yield beneath his.She returned his fire with fire, kissing him back with a wild abandon that left them both trembling and enraptured, wrapped around each other in the midst of a crowd, focused only on each other.Overhead, fireworks lit the sky, but neither of them noticed.
— Deborah Blake, Wickedly Wonderful
You know, sometimes love can be staring you right in the face, and you can be too blind to see it.
— D.F.   Jones, Anna's Way
I’ll stick close to Sandy. I swear that woman isn’t afraid of anything or anybody.” Baldric gave Ralph a rare smile and winked.
— D.F.   Jones, Anna's Way
Raphael said, “There are no tears in Heaven, no chances of a broken heart. Maybe being witness to great love is why I love coming to Earth. And maybe true love is why some angels choose to stay.
— D.F.   Jones, Anna's Way
She'd been the one to push him away this time, yet it hurt just as much as it had before. The door clicked closed behind him, and she gasped out a sob, her body shaking. Why had she said what she'd said? Why had she pushed him away like that?It made no sense. The only thing she wanted was to wrap her arms around him and never let him go.And that was why she didn't do it.Because once she did, she'd never let go. And she wasn't sure she'd survive if she had to watch him leave her again.
— Carrie Ann Ryan, Prowled Darkness
Hello, lover,” whispered a sexy feminine voice in his ear as hands wound around him from behind.Talin smiled, unable to help himself. He looked over his shoulder at Neve. She raised a black brow, her silver eyes searching his.Desire struck him quickly, making him instantly hard. Neve managed to bring such a reaction from him every time he heard her voice, felt her touch, or looked at her.
— Donna Grant, Dark Alpha’s Demand
He leaned up and nipped at her shoulder before reaching around to tease her nipples.	"Talin."	"Aye, love?"	"I need you."	He didn't have to be told twice.
— Donna Grant, Dark Alpha’s Demand
The seven there are, warriors all.	Do not do wrong or their blade will fall,	Their appearances shrouded,	Their approach, clouded.	Against evil they fight.	Power and magic are their might.	They serve only one.	If you expose their identity - run.	Secrecy is their defense.	If the truth escapes, Death will commence.
— Donna Grant, Dark Alpha’s Demand
I'm Kyran. I'm usually the one who keeps him in line," he said as he motioned to Talin.	That made Neve's smile widen. "You need to keep a better eye on him."	"I know," Kyran replied wryly.
— Donna Grant, Dark Alpha’s Demand
Where she ended, he began.
— Donna Grant, Dark Alpha’s Demand
The carnal way their bodies slid against each other, the decadence of how he felt moving inside her made her blood race and her heart swell with love.	Because he was hers.	And she was his.
— Donna Grant, Dark Alpha’s Demand
For Death's life to be extinguished... now that was something to truly dread.
— Donna Grant, Dark Alpha’s Demand
The Light Fae. As a race, they were supposed to be all about good and decency, but there wasn’t a shred of either emotion within the walls of Usaeil’s castle.Neve observed Talin examining everything around him – from the castle, the Fae walking outside, the trees, and even the sky. His pale silver eyes missed nothing. She wondered what he saw, and how he catalogued things.His long, black hair had the barest hint of a wave to it as it hung to the shoulders of his pale blue shirt. He shoved one side behind an ear and tilted his head as if listening.She didn’t think he realized she was still beside him, not that she minded. It gave her a chance to fill her gaze with his sharply chiseled features.The hard planes of his jaw and chin were in direct contrast to his wide lips and thick eyelashes. It was difficult to look at Talin and notice anything but those beautiful eyes.Except when she did look down, she saw a body that made her hands itch to touch him. His shirt barely contained wide shoulders that tapered to narrow hips where navy pants encased his legs. Every muscle was honed and defined.As eye-catching as Talin’s personal package was, it didn’t hold a candle to what drew her interest – his bearing. The way he stood, walked, talked.In a castle full of Light who believed themselves above others, the only one who had the attitude and demeanor to carry it off was Talin.
— Donna Grant, Dark Alpha’s Demand
I nodded to Sam. "I'll just clean up these boxes and meet you out on the floor." Macy's didn't mess around their shoe department in New York. It spanned two floors, and it was always busy.	"Okay," she relented. "If you're not out in ten minutes, I'm coming back to find you."	"Got it. I was relieved when she finally walked out of the stock room. I wanted to forget this craziness had ever occurred.		Tom bent over to help me as I gathered up the errant shoes. "Dude," he said, "can I touch your arm? I've never touched anyone who's died before.
— Amanda  Carlson, Struck
CA-CAW. CA-CAW.	I shrieked and hit the floor.	Okay, maybe I needed a little protecting.	"Use your spear, Ingrid!" I gestured wildly at the ornate weapon. "That bird is not going back out that window without a fight. Hurry, before it pecks us to death!"	Instead of impaling the flying beast with her spear, Ingrid chuckled warmly. "Huggie, it's nice to see you again."---	"If they get to you before I can get you to the Valkyrie stronghold, you'll either be killed or tossed into one of the Nine Worlds quicker than you can say, 'Odin's my dad.
— Amanda  Carlson, Struck
Who are you?" I asked as he turned and headed deeper into the cavern.	"I am Fenrir the Wolf."	"I'm sorry, did you say you're a wolf?
— Amanda  Carlson, Struck
Fen looked mildly amused by my antics. In fact, he was just short of full-on laughing. "Don't snicker at me, wolf. Being naked in your arms..." As I said those words out loud, a kernel of heat seared through me, heat that had nothing at all to do with the scalding temperature of the water. "Well... let's just say it surprised me, okay? I wasn't expecting to be ... unclothed or ... alive, for that matter."	"Valkyrie, your nakedness does not bother me in the least." Did his eyes just flare a teensy bit? "It would've been counterproductive to heal you with your clothes on. What was left of them, anyway. I figured your life was worth more than your modesty." His lips went up in a cocky grin. "Plus, it kept me quite... focused on my task.
— Amanda  Carlson, Struck
My name is Phoebe Meadows." I covered my nakedness again with my arms. "I know it's a little late for this, since I'm currently lying butt naked in your arms, and you've already saved my life three times, but now is better than never. You can call me Phoebe if you like.
— Amanda  Carlson, Struck
Father once said the real language of diplomacy was in the space between words.
— Roshani Chokshi, The Star-Touched Queen
Ruling Akaran is a strange task. In many ways, it is like balancing an illusion. You must separate the illusion of what you see and the reality of its consequences," he said. "Tell me, my queen, are you ready to play with fate?
— Roshani Chokshi, The Star-Touched Queen
Where are we going?" I asked. "The main road leads to all of the major kingdoms.""Not all of them," said Amar.
— Roshani Chokshi, The Star-Touched Queen
How this woman had managed to get under his skin and claw her way inside was a mystery. He couldn’t leave her there though. His entire being was screaming at him to get her out.
— Caroline Cairn, Forever and One Week
If..." Decebel had to clear his throat before he could continue. "If she dies, you will have to kill me."Vasile nodded once, then added, "She will not die."Decebel closed his eyes. "How can you be so sure?"Vasile chuckled lightly. "No one as fierce as Jennifer Adams will go quietly into the night.
— Quinn Loftis, Just One Drop
Don’t run away from me, Logan. I’m not sure why you’re scared every time I try and show you some kindness, but don’t reject me. It’s not easy for me either. I’m not a natural. I’ve forgotten how it feels to put down the barriers and let someone in.
— Caroline Cairn, Forever and One Week
I need to say something. Take it anyway you like,” Ian stated, his eyes boring into hers with a fervor that left her holding her breath.Elaine started to shake her head. “Look, we just met…you don’t need to say…”His deep, cultured voice interrupted her. “Everything you are, Laney, resides in your eyes. I need to see you—all of you. Don’t take that from me while I’m still here. Please.”Tears welled. “You don’t even know me,” she whispered. “How can you say that?”“Because I think I do know you—I just haven’t figured out how.
— R. W. Patterson
It was a kiss meant to set her ablaze. And as always, it worked.
— Donna Grant, Dark Alpha’s Demand
First, there will be no kidnapping. I know you're stronger and bigger and have magic and crap, but I'm drawing the line at kidnapping.
— Carrie Ann Ryan, An Immortal's Song
What do you mean 'has to be?' and what are you smiling at?" I stopped contributing to this ridiculous dance. I grabbed the teapot and began to fill it with water in the sink. Suddenly I felt the slight weight of his body against my back and the corner of his mouth brushed against my ear. "How human you are," he whispered.
— Jes Dory, Isle
In the light, he looked like a fallen angel asked to return to Hell.
— Caroline Cairn, Forever Hers
Do Dragons eat Mexican?" Hank wondered out loud."Dude, they eat people. Mexican is a vast improvement over people.
— Robyn Peterman, Some Were In Time
Maybe love was different for everyone, sometimes soft and gentle, other times a slap in the face—a doe-eyed vixen that called you out on your shit and set every inch of you on fire.
— Keira Blackwood, Bodyguard