Em, I love you so much it hurts. I would do anything for you. I'd die for you, and I know you'd do the same, so don't you dare stand there and tell me you'd rather have a lifetime of nothing special than a few years of something extraordinary.

I cradled her neck in my hand. She was so beautiful. So innocent... I didn't want to ruin this. This moment, her entire world-take your pick.

Emily would have to be eased into sex, and I wasn't quite sure I'd have the self-control necessary to 'ease' her into anything once I was actually inside of her.

With us, it'll never be just sex.

If I could go back and erase the few women I'd been with, just so Emily would be my one and only, I would. No question.

An unfamiliar pain ripped through my chest as I gazed down at her, constricting my throat. I couldn't explain it, but it was...nice. I wouldn't have traded the pain for anything in the world.

I don't know how to act around you. You make me feel...awkward.

Emily was the best thing that ever happened to me, and I'd be damned if I let her go without a fight. So if she didn't want to see me right now, well, too fucking bad. Because I was bringing the fight to her.

She was like quicksand-the more I struggled to get out, the faster I sank. So I'd decided to give up and embrace the sink down.

I knew then that I'd give in if he asked. All this fighting-this resisting-it was just because deep down, I knew that all he had to do as say the words and I'd be putty in his hands. Yeah, he could be smug and an all-around ass, but...I still wanted him. Bad. In a way I'd never experienced before.