She didn’t hurry as she walked to him. Something told her he was a man too used to people – women certainly – rushing toward him. So she took her time, her long, slow strides flapping her borrowed coat around her chilly legs.
She needed, he knew, the human touch. His touch. It humbled him that she found strength there. That what they found in each other steadied them both. Soft here, and tender, to reaffirm who they were, what they’d beaten back. And would always beat back together.
Eve.” He took both her hands, brought them to his lips. He wanted to gather her up, cover her in something soft, something beautiful. He wanted to hold her until every horrid memory was washed away. “What you are is a miracle.
Religion was a riddle to her. Believe this, and only this, because we say so. If you don’t you’re buying a one-way ticket to everlasting Hell. Organized religion baffled her, made her vaguely uncomfortable. Each had followers who were so sure they were right, that their way was the only way. And throughout history they’d fought wars and shed oceans of blood to prove it.
The rage worked under her cheer. It was always there, whispering to her. But she could control it. She’d controlled it for years. Because she was smart, smarter than all of them.
New elements, she thought, pleased with the challenge. Roarke had been fiddling, adding some elements and upgrades. When she engaged in hand-to-hand with the second thief, she knew he’d fiddled with the programming with her in mind.
She went to the AutoChef, programmed a vitamin smoothie. And was shocked when that’s exactly what she got.
In a few weeks she wouldn’t just be Eve Dallas, lieutenant, homicide. She’d be Roarke’s wife. How she would manage to be both was more of a mystery to her than any case that had ever come across her desk.
There is no such thing in man’s nature as a settled and full resolve either for good or evil, except at the very moment of execution. – NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE.
You have power over a powerful man. His love for you gives you the power, though I suspect there are times the two of you fight like cats.
He took a money clip out of his pocket, pulled off several bills. “Take it. It’ll save you time.
I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. – REVELATION.
You’re not going to stay for the thing?” He took a bite of manicotti. “There’s nothing you could do, say, nothing you could possibly offer – including deviant sexual favors – that would induce me to be within a hundred yards of that baby shower.” “Crap.” She forked up a nice chunk of meatball. “Not even if I combined chocolate sauce with the outfit?” “Not even.” “There could be whipped cream. And choreography.” “An.
Edward, they might know me. Some people.
Shut up. If you don’t shut up, if you don’t cease resisting immediately, I will pull your tongue out of your mouth, drag it around your neck, and strangle you with it.
Bright blessings on both of you, and safe travels wherever the path takes you.
See now I’ve got this image of some cock sitting at a swim-up bar at a resort, wearing sunshades and drinking one of those stupid drinks full of fruit and paper umbrellas.” “Aw, that’s cute.” “It’s not cute. It’s mildly scary. Or disgusting. I’m not sure which. Both.
Overworked, as usual. It happens to those who are particularly good at their jobs.” She handed Eve a cup of tea in one of the pretty china cups.
Every religion should be open to questions and change.
It was death that brought me and Eve together. And as frothy as it sounds, there are times I feel as though that was when I took my first breath.