Aprilynne Pike

Her hand wandered under his shirt, feeling his rapid breath expand his ribs. She hesitated for a second__ondering what the chances were that either of her parents would come home early__hen lifted his shirt with both hands, guiding it up his arms and over his head. It was her favourite indulgence; holding herself against his bare chest.

You could be David's friend too". She glanced at Tamani when he said nothing. He was frowning. "The two of you really have a lot in common, and we're all in this together".He shook his head. "It wouldn't work"."Why not? He's a nice guy. And it would do you good to have some human friends", she said hinting at what she suspected was the root of the problem. "It's not that", Tamani said, gesturing vaguely with one hand."Then why?" Laurel asked, exasperated."I just don't want to cosy up to the guy whose girl I have every intention of stealing

He exuded wisdom-even the wisest...were pale, flickering candles next to the nourishing solar illumination of [his] insights.

I just don't want to cozy up to the guy whose girl I have every intention of stealing.

All I'm saying is that you shouldn't stay with him for the wrong reasons, even if they are noble ones. No one owes it to someone else to be their girlfriend. It's a choice you remake every day.

His face was tense, his jaw flexed as he stared at her. She could hardly stand to meet his eyes. They were an ocean of betrayal. They probed her, searching for the smallest sign that she didn't mean it. That spark of hope that never seemed to go out.

I'll think of you, just like I promised.""And I'll think of you, just like I have every day," Tamani said.