The Selection (The Selection, #1)

by Kiera Cass

“America, my dear, I do hope you find something in this cage worth fighting for. After all this, I can only imagine what it would be like to see you actually try.”

You ask for such simple things, I can’t deny you.

“I should have known that if any girl was going to disobey an order, it would be you.”

“Maxon, I hope you find someone you can’t live without. I really do. And I hope you never have to know what it’s like to have to try and live without them.”

He pulled me very close and put his hand on my waist. I went to step back, but Maxon’s arm held me securely to him.

but the man hesitated, looking to him and then to me, evidently questioning my presence. “She’s fine,” Maxon said, and the man came over and knelt before him.

“Somewhere in this palace, there is a woman who will be your wife.” I saw his mouth twitch, the beginnings of a hopeful smile. “Maybe you don’t know which face it is yet, but think of the girls in that room. Imagine the one who loves you the most. Imagine your ‘dear.’” His hand was resting next to mine on the seat, and his fingers grazed mine for a second. I shied away from the touch.

Maxon came over and kissed my forehead.

“Speaking of which!” he said a bit louder. “If you don’t want me to be in love with you, you’re going to have to stop looking so lovely. First thing tomorrow I’m having your maids sew some potato sacks together for you.” I hit his arm. “Shut up, Maxon.” “I’m not kidding. You’re too beautiful for your own good. Once you leave, we’ll have to send some of the guards with you. You’ll never survive on your own, poor thing.” He said all this with mock pity.

He’d wanted his first kiss to be with me.

It would be a lie to say I wasn’t absolutely giddy when I ran out the door and into his arms.

“They’ll kill you for doing this,” I breathed in a brief moment when his lips traveled to my neck. “If I don’t, I’ll die anyway.”

sommething about this guy-- I was always sorta team aspen

“America, I thought I’d made myself clear,” Maxon said calmly. He let out a patient sigh and used his hand to nudge up my chin. When I was finally looking into his eyes, he confessed. “If this were a simpler matter, I’d have eliminated everyone else by now. I know how I feel about you. Maybe it’s impulsive of me to think I could be so sure, but I’m certain I would be happy with you.”

I’m prepared to wait,” he said with a shrug. “I don’t think there’s anything you could do that I couldn’t forgive.