Redeemed (Dirty Air, #4)

by Lauren Asher

“Next time you think I looked at you with disgust, remember that kiss. I’m not a unicorn because I’d much rather be a dragon in the story. They’re more badass anyway.”

“Because those who see beauty in chaos also see flowers instead of weeds, and that’s a gift in a world like ours.”

Some kisses stoke a passion. Some kisses heal the soul. Kissing Chloe is a combination of two—the sweetest medicine that leads to a lifelong addiction.

Before her, I wasn’t interested in love, but damn if I’m willing to try it now. Our fake relationship has been fun and all, but I wonder if she wants to trade up for the real deal.

“Life is about creating the memories that matter, while forgetting the ones that don’t.”

“The past few days in the hotel have been incredible. I don’t want to go back to how things were.” “And how’s that?” “Lonely. Without you and Marko, the thought of being on my own again is awful. Absolutely unbearable. It’s like I had a gaping hole in my chest that only started being filled over the last few weeks.” Her bottom lip juts out. “Oh, Santiago.” I step up to her, grabbing the handle of her luggage and pushing it in the opposite direction. “And most of all, you make the bad days better. I want more of that. If you go, I’m afraid I’ll go back to the way things were.”

“I do want to fight for myself. That’s the point. And you’re not a crutch. You’re part of the foundation to help me get where I want to be.”

“You’re going to not only torture me with this movie but also by sitting far away? What kind of man do you take me for?” “The kind who wants to make me happy?” “What about my happiness?” “Of course that’s important.” I point to my empty side. “Then get your ass over here. I like to cuddle.”

In the past few months I’ve known her, Chloe Carter has banished the monsters making my days dark, and replaced them with everything that makes her days special.

She’s like a rainbow after the storm, and I’ll be damned if she fades away once the sun breaks through the clouds.

“Because no man is worth my time if he isn’t willing to battle my demons with me.” Santiago’s hand tightens around my thigh. His other hand snakes around me, tugging me closer to his body. “I’d slay them all for you.”

Chloe didn’t just steal a piece of my heart. She carved her initials into it, branding me for life.

“I’m going to fight for my right to race again, and there’s no one I want there more than you.”

“I promise it doesn’t matter to me if you’re missing a leg, or an arm, or anything else. It doesn’t define the person you are.” She places her palm against my heart. “This does. And you happen to have one of the prettiest ones.”

Chloe Carter destroyed me in every way I needed. She broke me apart before gluing me back together, repairing me from the inside out. I’m not letting this girl get away. Not now and not ever.

“You have me.” “Yeah, for how long?” “As long as you want me.”

And I’m not the least bit sorry if they run away, because that means I can keep you all to myself. Because with you, I like being selfish.”

“When do you know if you like versus love someone?” My hoarse voice breaks the silence between us. “I can only speak from personal experience, but I think I can tell when it takes all my self-control not to stomp across my neighbor’s yard and knock him out for making my girl cry.”

“You love me?” “I’d be insane not to.”

“Loving you feels like I found a life raft in the middle of a raging ocean.”

“Loving you is like being stranded in a desert without food or water. Like I’m half delusional, wondering if this whole damn thing is a mirage, because nothing should feel or look this good.”

“I love you, Chloe. And it’s okay if you don’t know what it means to be loved by someone, let alone love someone else because I promise to love you enough for the two of us. To love you every day to make up for everyone else who failed miserably.”

“I like this version of you.” “And what version is that?” “The one I’m falling in love with.” I

Where most people see weeds, I only see you—my beautiful wildflower, untamed and free.

“Loving you is like the ocean. Infinite. Fierce. Breathtaking.”

“Loving you feels like seeing a rainbow for the first time. It’s so amazing, you can’t help wondering if it was created by magic.”

“And most of all, loving you is realizing I don’t have to make a wish ever again because I already have everything I could ever want.”

You might be the hero in my story, but you’re the legend in theirs.