“It felt bizarre to be ignored in general, much less by an embodiment of Aidan--who used to stare at her so hard that he'd run into trees.”

“A woman who is willing to be herself and pursue her own potential runs not so much the risk of loneliness as the challenge of exposure to more interesting men — and people in general.”

“Everything rests on the poisoned wine. If it were just the queen, I could force it down her gullet, but Declan Broekhart would run me through with that damned ceremonial sword, and if his wife's stares were daggers, he'd be dead already.”

“He stared at her, knowing with certainty that he was falling in love. He pulled her close and kissed her beneath a blanket of stars, wondering how on earth he'd been lucky enough to find her.”

“No woman who builds a career on hard work and talent will ever compliment a much younger one who uses the shallow gift of her looks.”

“I kissed her neck and shoulders. I felt faint with loving her so much.”

“He'd told her that the phrase deal with the Devil came from him; Ellie felt like she was on the verge of selling her soul.”

“And when it comes, her kiss is like something not so much felt as found.”

“General Clark walked the campus like a retired deity and ignored the general run of cadets.”

“But with a sigh he had released her hand, while she was so lost in the fantasy that she hadn't felt it go away, as if he'd known the best moment to let go.”