Debra Anastasia Quotes

Soon his too-loud voice drifted back into the room. "He shot my brother in the back. He's mine. That's a fucking order. Mine. ~ Debra Anastasia

Livia rubbed Blake's unresponsive hands and talking of their future. "Blake, we'll walk in the woods together. We have forever. Just wake up, okay? That's the deal we're making right here. You wake up and we get to have forever. ~ Debra Anastasia

I never want to disappoint you, Livia." Blake sounded stronger now, determined, but still anxious.
"That's not possible. Ever. ~ Debra Anastasia

Mouse adored Eve. If he could admit it to himself, he had a bit of a crush on her. But he never would - that would feel traitorous. He would never be that. Fucking Merkin. ~ Debra Anastasia

He tried not to think about his Grandma's opinion of whores and drugs. He could only believe in the pattern he'd learned from Beckett - a pattern of respect and kindness. ~ Debra Anastasia

Beckett looked Livia up and down and planted a kiss on her cheek. "Whitebread's so hot she's smokin' tonight. ~ Debra Anastasia

I feel like a caveman's balls. Dragging. This recovery is going to drive me to drink. ~ Debra Anastasia

He wanted Livia back. Kyle probably wanted to talk her ear off all about the wedding, but he needed Livia here. He ached for her. ~ Debra Anastasia

I want to screw him on the table and make him eat in my bed. ~ Debra Anastasia

Kyle stepped into Cole's chest, and he wrapped his arms around her. They fit together like two quotation marks. ~ Debra Anastasia

Did you get anything back from him? What'd he say? Kill her? asked one of the attackers.
I love you. Dear Jesus. I love her. No. No. ~ Debra Anastasia

Simple shit makes this chick crap bubbles and rainbows -Beckett ~ Debra Anastasia

You've no idea what you're getting involved with." Cole closed his eyes. He seemed to be reaching inside to calm himself.
Livia took a step out of the pew. "Cole, I can't turn back now. My life leads to his. It's as simple as that."
"Two months." Cole looked doubtful.
"Four hundred forty-six smiles, plus two months of talking twice a day, five times a week," Livia corrected. ~ Debra Anastasia

Beckett wrapped his arm around the one Cole offered him. "Bro, go to Kyle. Stay out of this next fight. I won't be able to deal with you behind me and Blake in front of me. You can't ask me to decide which one of you to defend first. Please, Cole. Give me peace of mind. ~ Debra Anastasia

Livia, I'm going to be okay. You have to believe it."
The nape of his neck was just inches from her lips. The only things stopping her from tasting it were red lipstick and one hundred pairs of eyes.
"I've always believed it." Livia tilted her head so she could see him.
Blake held his lips close to hers. They were lost in each other. ~ Debra Anastasia

Eve looked away for a moment, then locked her ridiculous baby blues on him. She whipped a knife out of God knows where and held it in front of her face.

Oh, crap. She's gonna try to kill Cole's girl. ~ Debra Anastasia

Beckett took a step back. "First things first, you weren't lying. She's absolutely gorgeous." Beckett let his gaze roam from Livia's boots to the top of her head. "And you know I'm an expert. ~ Debra Anastasia

He seemed to be drinking in her face, looking at her instead of into her.
"Stop. Stop that. This isn't goodbye."
Blake pulled her left hand to his mouth and kissed her ring finger. "I'm still glad it's empty. He never deserved you. Of that, I'm very sure."
Livia saw moisture in his eyes. "You're saying goodbye. No. Here's what I'm sure of. I'll walk away from this house right now, wearing only what I have on my back and be happy. With you I can taste forever - it's right here." Livia pointed at her lips and then kissed his.
Blake allowed the kiss, but mumbled a question as well, "How many shotguns does he have?"
"Not enough to get me away from you." Livia traced his jaw.
Blake took her hand and kissed her palm, then her forehead, "Livia, go in there and let him talk to you. He's a father. I'd want to talk to my daughter at a moment like this. Let's give him that respect."
"I will not go in there. Where will you go?"
Livia felt a gentle tug on her heart. She was torn. She wanted to comfort her dad and get him to understand who Blake was, but in as little time as possible so she could get back to Blake.
"My inamorata, you know where I'll be: where I'll always be. Waiting. For you." Blake began putting the mask on.
Livia looked around wildly, feeling close to irrational. "I don't want you to go." These words were inadequate to express her need.
Blake smoothed her hair away from her face. "I've often wished I had a father. L ~ Debra Anastasia

The men skipped their traditional greeting. They'd dropped the ritual. This was their unspoken acknowledgment of Beckett's absence. ~ Debra Anastasia

Beckett now got half the beating he used to get. Rick didn't know that with every punch he was pounding his own coffin closed, but Beckett knew. ~ Debra Anastasia

Do you take it in the pooper? ~ Debra Anastasia

It felt real, seeing his friend like that. It was like a gift. He wasn't into spiritual bullshit, but damn. Damn. That Mouse had become his friend was a gift, but a curse as well. If he'd left that whole situation alone, would Mouse - would James - have had a better life? A different outcome? ~ Debra Anastasia

It was a denim jacket. With this cover in place, Mouse hastily got his pants back in order. Instead of a teacher, as he'd expected, the new kid, Beckett Taylor, had bestowed dignity upon him. ~ Debra Anastasia

You're so real. You have a bedroom and a brush. All the times I waited for you, I could never picture where you came from - what had made you so extraordinarily different. But you made you different." Blake ran his hand along his neck, smiling shyly in her direction.
"There are a million girls just like me." Livia almost hated to point that out.
"No. There's only you." Blake looked away from her and squinted into the sun.
Look at him looking into the sunlight! ~ Debra Anastasia

Livia wanted to get back to Blake's music. It had filled her dreams. ~ Debra Anastasia

And they had no idea what lives inside me, what I can do."
"I know what you do to me," Kyle said, finding his eyes. "It's everything right, honest, and good." She stood on her tiptoes and kissed his lips.
"Kyle, I'm intense and devoted, and I need a lot of direction just to get through my day."
"Cole, I'm impulsive and devoted and hopeless. I have a filthy mouth, and I don't see it cleaning up anytime soon."
"I would like to make love to you. Here. Right now," Cole said, continuing his confession. "But I'm afraid I'll lose you, that you'll leave your body and go somewhere else. Will you stay with me?"
"I'm your shadow now, Cole. I'll be where you are." Kyle set her jaw, determined.
"Okay," he said. "This is how it'll go. I'm going to give you pleasure. And you're going to take it. No reciprocating." He instantly saw doubt in her face. "Please, this time - which will be the first of so many - let me make you happy. Let my touch cleanse you. When I'm done, I want your body to belong just to us." He could feel himself smiling, just thinking about it. ~ Debra Anastasia

Blake laughed as Beckett set him back on the seat and pointed a thick finger at the organ. "You ass-f**k this bitch. Ass-f**k it." Beckett peeked over the balcony at Cole below. "Sorry, baby. I have too much dirty in me. ~ Debra Anastasia

This is going to be a long night. But Livia wasn't leaving. Tonight he'll be here. ~ Debra Anastasia

Livia located her fancy jacket and stepped out of the closet. Blake took the coat from her and held it out in an old-fashioned ritual only he could get away with. He moved Livia's hair out of the way and kissed her neck as he buttoned each of her buttons from behind her. He skimmed parts of her she wished he would linger on. She turned her head to claim his lips.
They kissed until he stepped back and shook his head, as if to clear it. "I can only take so much of that with your bed so close. ~ Debra Anastasia

Do you have to use the ladies' room or something?" Livia asked.
"No. No, I don't. I just can't wait. I'm having all sorts of problems with the waiting."
Livia knew her sister's secret would bubble out of her soon.
Cole put a hand on Kyle's shoulder. "You wanted to wait, remember? Tell her if you can't stand it anymore."
At that, Kyle exploded. She waved her sparkling left hand in front of her. "Oh my God! I'm engaged! I'm marrying Cole! ~ Debra Anastasia

LIVIA DIDN'T IMMEDIATELY REMEMBER the details of the night before when she woke in her bed. Her blanket had been arranged around her. As she sat up, she noticed little paper-napkin roses tucked among her belongings. Blake.
He'd even given Teddy a spiffy bow tie. He must have taken a whole stack of napkins from The Launch Pad, and the sunlight trickling in her window explained his absence. His fancy clothes were folded neatly on the end of her bed. The prince was the one to run out of time in this Cinderella story. ~ Debra Anastasia

As he wrapped her in white terrycloth, Kyle eyed his lingering hardness. "Again?"
Cole turned his bride to hug her from behind, nuzzling her neck. "I'll have you in my bed next," he said. "I'm going to make love to you so thoroughly that, tomorrow? You'll walk like John Wayne."
Her laughter sounded so free. ~ Debra Anastasia

He locked eyes with Livia, and his face became serious. "Com'ere, Whitebread." He held out his hand and enveloped her as soon as she got close.
She started to cry softly in his chest.
"Don't cry. I'm so motherfucking proud of you. You hold your beautiful face up. Stand proud."
He rubbed her back and motioned Blake over with his head. Beckett twirled her into Blake's arms. She looked back to give him a sad smile from her warm place by Blake's heart. ~ Debra Anastasia

Dove found Flower waiting outside her apartment. Flower was staring at her Doc Martins and in a very slow-motion move; she looked up at Dove.
"Jesus!" Flower's eyes were wide and her mouth stayed open.
Dove wanted to ask, "Bad Jesus or good Jesus?", but Flower had already used almost half her allotted words on Dove's predicament. She felt guilty asking for more. ~ Debra Anastasia

It was as if the beach had gotten inside, changed how she weighed outcomes and causes. She leaned down and took her sandals off. This sand, so soft and white, was now her favorite pair of shoes. ~ Debra Anastasia

Me? I want you to be sure." he said.
"You," Livia whispered.
"Me." His eyes were full of intent.
"Always you." Livia gave him her biggest, heartfelt smile.
"Five hundred." Blake touched her face as if she might be a mirage and smiled back only when she didn't disappear. ~ Debra Anastasia

If you'll excuse me, I have to pull my date out of the garbage. ~ Debra Anastasia

Dove turned and gave him a "what the fuck are you doing - at least you're wearing pants, fudge dick" look. ~ Debra Anastasia

Kisses that danced with smiles tasted amazing. ~ Debra Anastasia

John accepted Livia's exuberant hug. "Yup, all right. Better get up there and get married already. Time to let Blake have the pleasure of your nagging for the rest of his days," he said. ~ Debra Anastasia

He felt no relief. He felt no closure. He knew then he would have to leave Poughkeepsie. He'd go very far away so he wouldn't be tempted to come back. ~ Debra Anastasia

Request away, rock star." Here it comes. "Can she wear a push-up bra? Leave off the panties?" Kyle knew what boys liked.
"When my lips touch her face I like to taste her skin, so maybe the makeup could be on the light side?" Blake closed one eye.
Holy fuck, that's sexy. Kyle felt her heart spit on her soul, taunting, Cole would want you as you are, if you were important enough. But you're not. ~ Debra Anastasia

Livia now saw clearly what she needed to do. She would break up with Chris this weekend. She sighed with satisfaction and the lingering effects of Blake's kiss, now tattooed on her heart. ~ Debra Anastasia

This is what nibbling your ear sounds like." Blake created a soundtrack for his teeth.
"This is what looking into your eyes sounds like." The notes were deep and beckoning.
"This is what my mind hears when my tongue is in your mouth." The kiss sounded steamy and delicate. The rhythm was her heartbeat as he sampled her mouth.
"But when you smile. When you smile it's ... "
Blake scooted the keyboard around behind her. He needed both hands.
She put her hands on his face and smiled in amazement as the music exploded. She couldn't imagine how her simple facial gesture could inspire such a majestic sound.
He smiled back. "One thousand nine hundred and ten."
"So many? Really?"
"Yes, really. And it's not nearly enough. I want to lose count, Livia. Make me lose count." His hands left the beautiful music and grabbed handfuls of her hair. ~ Debra Anastasia

Whitebread was in there, waiting like the fucking pillar of strength she was. That little brunette had out-couraged pretty much every damn person he'd ever met - exactly what Blake needed. ~ Debra Anastasia

Beckett, you're doing this for people who don't even know you're protecting them. We're in the shade here. I can do this. Let me do this. I can't stand by and watch.
Beckett thought for a moment, saying nothing. Blake had taken the beating like a pro. Too good to be his first time. ~ Debra Anastasia

Damn it. I mean, darn it. I thought the church was on fire. I'm so sorry. How do you clean up holy water? Is it like communion? Do you have to lick it off the floor? Can I help you? ~ Debra Anastasia

Blake?" Livia closed one eye while she waited.
"Livia." He was still there.
"You waited," Livia whispered.
"Of course. I'll always wait."
Livia smiled wider than she thought possible. ~ Debra Anastasia

That's great. You have family." Livia rubbed Blake's arm.
"You're my family," Blake said coldly. ~ Debra Anastasia

The church door creaked, and Cole stood to greet the ladies.
The air left the church in a whoosh as Kyle entered.
Kyle.
She waited in the doorway, her white sundress and trench coat fluttering like flags in the breeze. She ran a hand through her hair, all soft and wild. She looked like a heavenly messenger. ~ Debra Anastasia

After three days, Blake was weaned off the drugs that kept him asleep. Told he could wake at any moment, everyone but Livia was concerned. They all found time to try to prepare Livia for the worst. Each time she would listen, thank them for their concerns, and turn back to Blake with a smile.
They couldn't feel the tingling. But she could. ~ Debra Anastasia

Livia stayed silent and tried to quiet the screaming in her head. Fuck your mother, Blake! She was a drunk and a coward. You were a child, not a man, and you were only trying to end your own pain. She held tight to Dr. Lavender's advice. Listen. This was Blake's plane crash. Livia's silence invited him to continue. ~ Debra Anastasia

After smiling for a family photo with his daughters, John announced, "All right. I talked to the boys. Beckett, you can stay for the reception." He nodded while he granted the reprieve. "Afterward, we'll bring you in for questioning."
John turned to leave, but Blake caught his attention. "Sir, thank you. It means the world to me that he's here. ~ Debra Anastasia

Am I the star in this story or you?"
Blake wrinkled his nose and chuckled.
"Was that a bad analogy? I meant we're the star, Livia. Us. This." He shrugged his shoulders like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "Us being in the same atmosphere is either a great cosmic catastrophe or the most serendipitous rendezvous." Blake pronounced the French word like a closeted foreign language teacher. ~ Debra Anastasia

Looks like you dropped your phone," Livia challenged. As soon as it skittered to a stop, Livia brought one of her sturdy boots down on top of it with a satisfying crunch. "And lookie there. It broke. If you ever talk about my future children again, I'll feed you your own balls, assuming you have any. ~ Debra Anastasia

Listen, Mouse wants us to find Blake," Eve pleaded. "That's why he's pointing. That's why he took out three assholes on his own like a gladiator. I want to sit and cry. I want to get him in the back of his own hearse and treat him like a goddamn king. But right now, we're going to finish what he started."
Beckett stood and nodded. As wrong as it felt, he needed to leave his friend - no, my brother - lying dead here. At least for now. ~ Debra Anastasia

The ache in my chest hurt again. I didn't know how to be me without her. ~ Debra Anastasia

For a while I thought you didn't know. Maybe I was even hoping you wouldn't know that I'm homeless. But as always, I'm sure it became apparent. But you kept on smiling long after you knew. Long after you must have known. What does that take? ~ Debra Anastasia

Look at me. Please." It was more than a whisper but less than a shout. She got quieter. "Blake, please."
His green eyes found hers. She spoke as if they were alone.
"I made a mistake," Livia began. "I know you overheard me talking to my dad. I needed him to understand who you are, but I had to talk on his level. As a father he needed to know I was being decisive. I don't think you heard the last part when I told him you were the path I wanted to take."
A flicker. Was it hope? Livia smiled.
Blake's lips moved, and she knew he'd counted her smile.
"I'll make mistakes. I know I will," she continued. "I want to be perfect for you. But I'm human. I can only be me. That probably isn't enough for a soul as beautiful as yours. But if I hurt you by accident, can't we stay and hold hands until we fix it? Can't we fix it?" Livia now spoke louder than she wanted to, but she had to be heard over the cacophony.
Blake bit his lip. "You're perfect."
"No, sweetheart. I can't even pretend to be perfect. Look where we are right now. That's my fault, Blake."
Here. I need to tell him now. "Blake, I love you," Livia confessed quietly.
The tears in her eyes had nothing to do with smoke this time.Livia leaned toward Blake and tried again, louder still.
"Blake, I love you."
Livia shouted in the silence because now her soul was free. "I love you, Blake!"
She smiled as he mouthed the words back to her. ~ Debra Anastasia

Emily was so excited she forgot. She was so happy she made a mistake and said, Thank you so much, Mommy! ~ Debra Anastasia

Cole had made this commitment to save Beckett from hell. So he had to keep it, no matter how endlessly his soul cried in the corner of the church, begging and reaching for Kyle. At that moment he'd built a wall between her soul and his. Confusion turned to anger, which turned to panic as Kyle tried desperately to bring him back, to reconnect.
She tried to kiss the truth out of him, but he turned his head and held her at bay. She fell to her knees, but he just shook his head. His future was predetermined. Even if banishing this newborn love sliced his heart in half, it had to be done. ~ Debra Anastasia

Well, fortunately for me, Mouse's windows are tinted far beyond the legal limit. It's like sitting inside a giant pair of sunglasses. I'm wearing the mask as a hat instead."
"You're being courageous," she said. "I think you're noble." She felt her heart fill with the picture of his victory in the sun.
"I feel very noble talking on a pink phone." He gave a self-deprecating chuckle. ~ Debra Anastasia

Eve. That torpedo mind-fuck sex was outrageous and fantastically titillating. Titi-fuck-illating. But there was something else as well. Emotional, a small voice in Beckett's head suggested. Connected. Well, shit. That seemed just about right. Definitely something new. ~ Debra Anastasia

Blake, will you let me take you to the ER?" She already knew his answer.
"No, I can't pay for their services." He was adamant.
Dignified, proud. ~ Debra Anastasia

"that moment ... that moment out there?" Blake pointed at the bed of army jacket, grass, and mint. "I've pictured it in my head for months. Months! I knew it would never really happen, but it kept me going. The beautiful, smiling girl would look at me like a man-a man worthy of her body, worthy of her kisses. Do you realize what a fool I am for hoping?" ~ Debra Anastasia

Eve hated that she had these questions, and that the only man she wanted to talk to about them was David. Have I just forsaken Beckett? ~ Debra Anastasia

Hey, Dad, if I needed to check someone's background, would you be able to do that for me?"
"That's a little unethical, Liv." John smoothed his mustache. "Is this about a boy?"
Livia cringed. "Yeah, it is."
"Then absolutely. I'd be happy to. ~ Debra Anastasia

A put together Johnson made her vagina purr. Sloppy Johnson made it roar. ~ Debra Anastasia

I wanted to wait until after the baby and when we'd saved up enough to have a real, big wedding."
Blake was stoic as she picked the right words.
"But to have heard him say I do ... " She trailed off and ran her hand through her hair. ~ Debra Anastasia

In the sanctity of this place, the center of his purpose, Kyle was everywhere he looked. He almost laughed when he remembered how he'd questioned Livia's devotion to Blake after knowing him such a short time, but he didn't make a sound. Even a week with Kyle would feel like forever. Cole looked over at the two pews where they'd stood when he first saw her.
When their eyes locked it had been like a head-on collision - jarring, shocking, and something he wasn't fast enough to stop. When their hands touched, their souls had stepped out of their bodies and joined. But Kyle and Cole could only stand in shocked stillness. Cole knew at some point he'd sent Livia on her way, his eyes never leaving Kyle.
His sole focus had been on keeping her. That was all he knew for sure. He had to keep her there until his soul was done seducing hers. Eventually they'd moved to sit next to each other. His soul had begun an intimate exploration of hers, without asking his permission, and Cole had to talk as if he wasn't affected at all. As he gazed at Kyle, her wide eyes made him believe she felt exactly the same. ~ Debra Anastasia

Come here, sweet cheeks. You know how much we love the tongue wrasslin'. ~ Debra Anastasia

As the nurses busied themselves with other patients and statistics, Livia slid her hand over his. She needed to feel his skin. She tucked his hand under the thin blanket and held it without protection. The same tingling she'd felt when they first held hands flooded her skin. He's still in there. They can tell me anything they want. Blake's right here.
She scooted her chair closer to his head. The deep, monotonous breaths the ventilator forced him to take sounded scary, but Livia held tight to his hand.
"I love you, Blake Hartt," she whispered. "I'll love you forever. ~ Debra Anastasia

And practice this: 'Yo no soy una puta.'" Kyle said the words in an angry, accented voice.
Livia raised a sensitive, red, now-thin eyebrow at her sister.
"It means 'I am not a hooker' in Spanish. And you already know it in English, so you should be good. ~ Debra Anastasia

For days after her horrendous meeting with Mr. Johnson Loudy McSexypus Fitzwell, Dove would stop to just blush from head to toe. ~ Debra Anastasia

He knew she saw it coming. He saw the pain in her eyes, but it wasn't from his fist. She was disappointed.
Disappointed in me.
Cole started running. He hit the side door and let it bang loudly against the building. He ran full tilt toward the busy road. This is it. I'm going down. Finally. ~ Debra Anastasia

Apologize to the lady," Blake's voice was smooth, calm, and deadly. He'd also unleashed his bright green eyes on the poor bastard, who looked like he might wet his pants. ~ Debra Anastasia

Livia grabbed Blake's lapels. "Oh, God. No. They're going to arrest him."
Blake pulled her to him and kissed her forehead. "He knows that, love," he murmured. "He knows. ~ Debra Anastasia

As she danced along the bar, Kyle craned her neck and caught glimpses of her sister, who sat almost nose to nose with Mr. Blake Perfection. She tried to shake off the familiar look on his face as he traced Livia's jaw with his finger. Cole. ~ Debra Anastasia

In that moment? I knew you were sent to me, that I'd been given nothing from the people in my life, but I think from God, or whoever is in charge, I got you. ~ Debra Anastasia

Beckett stood in his office dressed to the nines: his best suit, cufflinks, amazing shoes, and expensive sunglasses. Underneath he had so many weapons that a good speed bump would blow him off the face of the earth. ~ Debra Anastasia

Livia put a hand over her mouth and leaned against the wall. All hell was breaking loose, and Blake was out in the open, hurt. It was all her fault. ~ Debra Anastasia

Look at you," he continued. "I want to build things for you, give you a reason to be soft. Give you a reason not to reach for a fucking gun when you open your eyes. ~ Debra Anastasia

I'm not worried about tomorrow. I'm worried about right now, with you, under this Christmas tree." Blake supported her neck as he laid her on the floor.
Livia turned her head. "You'd better convince me. So far you've talked about the dog going to the bathroom, trash, and dirtiness."
Blake kissed her jaw and turned her head gently, kissing her mouth as she bit her lips together.
"Can't I just convince you with my manly ways?" He wiggled his eyebrows.
He could, of course, do just that - but she shook her head. She loved the playful sparkle in his green eyes. His five o'clock shadow just made him more handsome, framing his kissable lips with scruff.
"Okay." He put his fingers at the bottom of her shirt, lifting it gently so he could circle her belly button with his index finger. "You're the sexiest, most beautiful woman on this planet. So sexy, in fact, that I had to have you. I had to make you bear my children because my universe and yours had to be combined. Everything I've ever been needed to be buried inside of you, so deep, so full of love that we created life. Twice."
He lifted her shirt and kissed the tops of her breasts, whispering his devotion into her skin. "And it's never enough. Unless I can hear you coming, I can't think of anything else. All day every day. For years now. You're that powerful, Livia. This. Us. It's so intense that years haven't cured me. I can't stop wanting to make love to you."
"Wow." Livia smiled and pulled ~ Debra Anastasia

That's sweet. Nice of you." Johnson put his hands in his pockets. Dove couldn't help but wonder if he was massaging a sore bag of testicles. Dove looked around, and Johnson shuffled his feet. It seemed neither knew what to say, but she hoped neither wanted to part ways either.
Johnson's default was always medical.
"How's your infection?"
Die. Die. Kill me.
"It's ... cleared up ... nicely." Dove twisted her hand into her hair. ~ Debra Anastasia

Blake pushed open the door by the altar. His rented tuxedo was crisp, the bow tie perfectly straight. Livia stopped and let the sight of him evaporate her common sense.
When his eyes found hers, he placed a hand over his heart, as if it might stop again. "You are so lovely," he said.
Livia wrinkled her nose and blew him a kiss. ~ Debra Anastasia

Kyle nodded and bit her lip. She looked nervous as a virgin. "This feels like jumping off a cliff," she finally said.
"I'll only do this if you want me to. Do you want me to?" Cole took a step back.
Kyle reached around and unzipped her sundress. She held her arms out like a sacrificial lamb.
"Say it, so I know for sure." Cole's eyes glowed with lust and reverence.
"I want you to." Kyle watched him. ~ Debra Anastasia

Do you remember the pattern, Livia?"
"Blow ... lick ... bite." Livia wanted to say something cute, something funny, but he licked his lips and she forgot how to make any more words. ~ Debra Anastasia

Blake held out a hand to Livia, who felt like she was cheating on an exam as she took it.
"I can't stop looking at you," he whispered. "The candlelight, the dress, the curls." He pressed a reverent kiss on her forehead.
Livia inhaled his cologne. Maybe he'd borrowed Cole's, and the warm scent made Blake a present begging to be opened. ~ Debra Anastasia

His heart actually stumbled when he remembered her pain. He immediately knelt by her head.
"Eve, how can I fix this? Tell me what to do. I'll do anything." He moved her hair out of her face.
Eve let his words lay in the room with them for a while before she uttered her blasphemous ones. "When I'm with you, it doesn't hurt as bad."
He picked her up again, surprised - now that he could think - at how much she weighed. This girl's pure muscle.
He sat on the couch with her on his lap. Starting over. "I'm so sorry, Eve."
Eve touched the new marks on his chest, lines that linked all his past violence with a path of red, new pain. "I know you are, Beck. I know you are. ~ Debra Anastasia

By the time she got there, she knew Blake had been right. She sounded like a herd of buffalo in the wild. ~ Debra Anastasia

His touch felt so good it was almost pain. ~ Debra Anastasia

She had a date. She loved toying with them. Johnson's voice caused her to jump and fart at the same time. She was hoping her little scream of surprise drowned out the unladylike noise. ~ Debra Anastasia

My mother called the cops and demanded they remove me from the house. I was never sure if she had me removed because she was scared of me or mad that all her alcohol was in puddles mixed with glass and my blood. When the police and paramedics brought me into the sunlight, I saw. I saw the glass in my skin. The sun reveals what I really am, Livia. I hit a woman. My own mother. The glass and liquor seeped in, and I can't get it out. ~ Debra Anastasia

Twenty steps in, she felt her soul grind to a halt. Go back.
She couldn't even argue. She doubled back and stared at Blake's form. Something was different. He wasn't there. No. She ran to him. Setting her ear to his chest and hushing her own panting, she waited. And waited. She put two fingers on his neck to feel for a beat. She watched for a breath. No beat. No breath. Nothing. ~ Debra Anastasia

Damn it," he gasped as she pressed gently.
She continued stroking and sucking, planning to finish him still standing, just so she could see his knees shake. But Cole stepped back and away from her tender touches.
"Get on the bed, Kyle." His hands trembled.
"Cole, you promised. I want to do this for you." Kyle was suddenly worried. Didn't he trust her?
"That's not it. I just - your legs, your head moving, your hands. I need to taste you. Get on the bed." Cole offered a hand to her, helping her from her knees. ~ Debra Anastasia

Eve took the gun from Blake, the hand that had been shaking steadied. "Mouse, I wish you were still here. This place was better when you were part of it. ~ Debra Anastasia

Though Beckett remained confined to the same claustrophobic hotel room that had housed him for weeks now, he'd attended the wedding in every sense but literally.
He dressed for the occasion, and Eve helped him get his bow tie just right before she left, promising once again that her hummingbird pin would send him every detail it could.
Riveted to the live feed from Eve's transmitter on his hotel room TV, Beckett stood when the congregation stood, and he sat when they sat. And when he noticed that the camera had bounced even lower, Beckett knelt.
As Kyle came fluttering down the aisle in her simple blue dress, Beckett swore aloud in the empty room. Shit, Fairy Princess, you're an angel. ~ Debra Anastasia

Livia removed her hand from Blake's to take his ring from Cole's palm. She kissed the ring and prepared to place it in its permanent home on his finger. ~ Debra Anastasia

Beckett grabbed Billy by the jaw. "If you ever touch Jimmy again, I'll kill you. It's that simple. ~ Debra Anastasia

The nurses told me what you did, Livia. You made my heart beat in the woods." He looked at her lips and continued, "You gave me breath. Were you scared, love? I'm sorry."
"You're apologizing because you stopped breathing?" Livia wrinkled her nose.
He nodded reverently. "I left you in the clearing again."
"You took the bullet that had my name on it and let it lodge in your back," Livia responded. "You never left me in those woods. You gave me strength when I needed it. You don't need to apologize, but it's perfectly acceptable for you to never, ever stop breathing again." She touched his Sorry tattoo. ~ Debra Anastasia