Ante Up (High Stakes, #1)

by Christina C. Jones

Take risks. If you win, you’ll be happy. If you lose, you’ll be wiser.

I have bailed you out over, and over, and over. I’m sick of saving you! When the hell is somebody going to save me?”

For some reason, even though I knew he meant those words as a compliment, they stung. Tough girl. So unaffected, so… strong. A term I hated so much it put a bitter taste in my mouth. Strong. That’s what was expected of me, strength. Take care of your brother

You’re always wanting things to be fair – for you, for me, for everybody.” I shook my head. “I… I hadn’t realized.” “Trademark of someone who’s used to being taken advantage of. You refuse to go back, and refuse to do it to anyone else. Probably why you have a hard time handling someone not expecting anything in return when they do something nice for you – you can’t help wondering about the balance.”