Variation

by Rebecca Yarros

“Agreement amended. My rule is you can touch me whenever you want, Alessandra. Public. Private. Doesn’t matter to me. Any part of me. With any part of you. Anytime you want.”

This wasn’t chemistry. This was combustion. And I was here for it.

First means nothing. Last means everything.”

I bucked my hips again, and he backed off. I cried out in sheer frustration as the climax I’d been chasing slipped away. “What are you doing?” “Denying you the little orgasm you almost took so I can ruin you with the one I’m going to give you.”

“Would have been a way better morning if I’d woken you up with an orgasm.”

We started down the worn path toward the other cabins. “I do enjoy breakfast in bed.”

“You don’t have to handle everything on your own, Allie. You can be scared, and you can love Juniper even if it’s messy. Messy is good, love. Messy is where the best parts of life happen. You don’t have to be in control at all times. It’s okay if you fall apart. I promise I will be right here to put you back together if you just let me.”

“I wouldn’t blame you for not getting past it, since I think about it every damned day. You are every person I go into the water for. There are hundreds of them, but they’re all you. I’m so sorry I couldn’t save Lina, too, Allie. You’ll never know how sorry I am.”

“I love you. I’m always going to love you. This is me holding on. I don’t want five minutes—I want a lifetime.”