You are the beautiful and elusive pinpoint of radiance that lit up the darkness and called me home.

Don't even think of arguing with me. I'm an old woman and if you fight me about it, it could give me a heart attack.

The only thing I'm afraid of losing... is you.

Dakota pulled a lollipop out of his pocket before quickly unwrapping it and popping it into his mouth. "What kind of vampire sucks on human candy?

Trixie murmured. "It's on like Donkey Kong.

You are a spitfire of a woman, do you know that? You remind me of a horse that hasn't been broken yet. All skittish and full of wild energy.""Are you for real?" Her jaw fell open. "Did you just compare me to a horse?

Dakota started laughing. "You wouldn't have anything back there to help me tame a punk-rock wild child with a disdain for cowboys, would you?

She didn't know if she wanted to fight him or fuck him.

Damn, girl. If I still breathed, I'd be suffocated by how much I want you.

Ronan's tall, broad-shouldered form cut a striking figure, and with Bowser at his side, the two of them had an almost superhero-like air about them. They were resolute and unwavering in the face of frightening and hopeless situations. Man and beast, strong and steady.

Maddy pressed her fingers to her lips, a smile blooming there. The man could kiss like the devil. Hot, passionate, demanding. Holy hell. Ronan McGuire was a force of nature, and equally dangerous.

Ronan sucked in a deep breath, forcing himself not to look at her. If he did, he would want to kiss her again. That was all he could think about. Tasting her, drinking from her, and finding out if he made her half as crazy as she made him.

His father had been in the military and so had his grandfather. It was a natural fit when Ronan and his brothers each donned a uniform of some kind.

He tipped his head to Ronan and looked warily at Bowser. "Sir.""David, this is Ronan McGuire and his partner, Bowser," Maddy said. "They're two of New York's finest.

Once we set our sights on something we want," Ronan rasped, "we don't quit until we get it." She wasn't sure if he bent to her or she reached for him, but the end result was explosive. Ronan's mouth covered hers, and with a strangled groan, she opened to him immediately. His tongue sought entrance and lashed along hers with swift, furious strokes. Maddy's arms tightened around his neck as she met his greedy kiss with one of her own. Devoured - that's how she felt - and she couldn't get enough.

She wanted him, but she didn't want to want him.

Silence hung between them, and Maddy's heartbeat picked up. She probably should have played it cool, but why bother? She wanted him.

You were the one girl I wanted who wanted nothing to do with me.

I don't know which end is up. One minute I want to kiss the life out of her, and the next she frustrates the hell out of me. I don't know if I should scratch my watch or wind my ass.""Welcome to the club, Ronan." Gavin laughed and clapped his brother on the shoulder. "That sure sounds like love to me.

Tell me what you want, Mads.""You," she said in a shaky whisper. "I want you, Ronan.

I want you to let go. Just close your eyes and feel me. Don't think. Don't try to control it. All you have to do... is feel.

Ronan tightened his grip before leaning over and whispering, "Do you have any idea how much I want you?

I'm terrified that if I let myself go there again, if I explore these out-of-control emotions, that there will be no turning back. It's like looking into a giant abyss. There's no end in sight. There's no bottom to the well, and if I allow myself to fall in...""He'll catch you," Jordan whispered. "But you have to trust him, and you have to trust in yourself. That's love, my friend - leaping into the mighty unknown because your heart overtakes your mind. That's what life is all about, but we can't and don't do it alone. Give Ronan a chance, Maddy.

Weren't you the guy who said he'd settle for one woman when hell froze over?""I did say that, didn't I?""Yeah, a bunch of times," Gavin's smile faded.

You know who should watch out?" Imogene lowered her voice to a conspiratorial whisper."Gavin's brothers. Mmm-hmm. Now that Gavin is tying the knot, Carolyn has a bee in her bonnet about getting all her other boys married off.

If you think Thanksgiving has been fun, just wait until Christmas."...The doors slammed shut with a muffled thud, and all he could think about was the revenge she could be planning. He'd never looked forward to anything more in his life. "Game on.

Ronan cupped her neck with his other hand and brushed his lips lightly over hers. "I want you, Maddy. I want you more than I've ever wanted any woman in my life.

He couldn't suppress the grin that curves his lips. "In fact, I'm the only man who belongs in your bed from now on.

I'm still a little hungry." She shot a sly glance at Ronan before tangling her fingers in his. "Not quite sure what I want, though.""Could've fooled me," Ronan murmured.

I just discovered something, Mads." Ronan curled his arm over her shoulders and pulled her against him. "There's only one thing I enjoy more than surprising you.""What's that?" She snuggled into his embrace and rested her head on his chest....Ronan kissed the top of her head and murmured, "When you surprise me.

Do you have any idea how much I love you?" Jordan curled her hands around the lapel of his jacket and tugged him closer. In her heels, she was almost his height, and when she pressed her body against his, her mouth was a scant inch away. Jordan flicked her tongue over his lower lip and whispered. "It might even border on obsession.

But make no mistake about it, Jordan. When the time is right and you're ready" - he trailed his forefinger along the edge of her palm and stilled when she shivered in response - "I have every intention of getting you into bed. And sleeping will have little to do with it.

A hot man like that was made for more than friendship.

Did you need Jordan for something, Cookie?" Gavin asked with thinly veiled impatience. Hands back in his pockets, he took a step away from Jordan. "Or do you merely excel at crappy timing?" "Sorry, Chief." Cookie's short purple-and-blue hair stuck out in a hundred different directions, and she winked when she peeked out from behind the swinging door.... "It's a gift." "That's not what I would call it," he grumbled.

You okay?" He moved past her into the kitchen and deposited his beer bottle in the sink. "You're all flushed." "I'm fine," she said a little too quickly. "It's hot in here, that's all." Oh sure. It was a little hot anywhere he was. The kitchen...the living room... the polar ice caps...

I must have a screw loose," she muttered under her breath. Satisfied the counter was clean, she squatted down and put the cleaning supplies away in the cabinet beneath the register. "Yup. There's definitely something wrong with me." "Are you looking for confirmation on that?" Jordan's heart hitched in her chest as Gavin's familiar baritone filled the shop. "Or am I supposed to argue with you?

There ain't nothin' that makes a man feel more alive than white-hot desire.

Even now, as a vampire, the fear of addiction ruled her world.Would she ever be free?

All creatures are capable of darkness, but not all choose to succumb to it.

Lottie tilted her head to one side and looked Maya up and down. "You're a little bit of a thing, but I hear you're good at stirring up big trouble.

I am waiting for you in the living room... the very pink living room. I do hope that when we acquire a home of our own, after this nonsense has passed, you will not insist on bathing the entire space in shades of bubble gum.

Sleep, Maya," he murmured softly. "Sleep, my love, and I promise that I will come looking for you.

I'm not into werewolves, but holy crap is he a hottie. Totally gorgeous and built like a tank. I bet he's got one down to his---

Maya wrapped one leg around him, writhing against him as she threaded her fingers through his hair and held him to her, urging him on."Never stop touching me that way," Maya rasped.

I'm so sorry I wasn't here sooner, but you'll have to forgive an old vampire for being a bit rusty in the dreamscape.

The man was absolutely beautiful. Vampire. Warrior. Whatever Shan Quesada was all man.

Maggie had a sinking suspicion that those stories her Aunt Lizzie told her, the ones that sent her to bed with her head full of leprechauns and fairies, may be more than fairytales after all.

Are ya trying' to kill me, lass?" "Kill you? No." Maggie leaned closer, her hands drifting up and cradling his face as she rolled her hips again in one wicked pass. "Torture you? Maybe.

I'll not be lyin' if I tell ya that I fancy ya a bit myself." "The fancy feelings are mutual." A grin curved her lips right before Declan pressed a kiss to them.

Mirror, mirror on the wall, who's the hottest bitch of all?

Scaoileadh Me.... 'Release me.' That was what he said. No doubt about it. It was in Gaelic, but that was what the voice said. Holy. Crap.

You might be a fairy tale leprechaun man but at the heart of it you're still a man who won't talk about anything.

Me father always said if ya can find a lass who's brilliant in the kitchen and in the bed ya best not let her go.

Are ya tryin' to kill me, Maggie?" Declan bit the words out and his fingers dug deeper into her hips. "Are ya wantin' to see a grown man beg?