The Hermit Quotes

“While I fasten the button, Dominik asks, “How do we know if you’re pregnant?” “Two lines,” I reply as I lean closer, and when I see two lines, shock vibrates through me, closely followed by one of the most intense emotions I’ve ever felt. Tears instantly jump to my eyes as I whisper, “It’s positive.” I grab the other tests, and when they all show two lines, a sob bursts from me. “We’re pregnant?” Dominik asks, sounding dumbfounded. I throw myself at him as I cry, “We’re having a baby!” His arms lock around me, and he squashes me to his chest. We hold each other for the longest time, and when he speaks, his voice is hoarse with emotion. “I’m going to be a father.” He pulls me back and kisses me hard before staring into my eyes, and when I see unshed tears shining in his, my heart fills with so much love it might just burst open. “Thank you, Grace.” He frames my face with his hands and gives me a tender kiss. “Thank you so much for being the mother of my child.”
― Michelle Heard, The Hermit

“When he’s completely naked, and I see every beautiful inch of his muscled body, there’s only an intense sense of safety. “You said you want children,” he says, his voice a little breathless and hoarse. “Yes.” “Are you on any kind of contraception?” I shake my head. “Not for the past year. It screws with my periods and makes them worse.” As he crawls over me again, I lift my arms and frame his jaw so I can pull him to me. With his eyes burning into mine, he says, “I can’t wait to have you pregnant with our child, Grace.” When our mouths fuse together, I know this moment will always be one of the most precious in my life.”
― Michelle Heard, The Hermit

“He shuts the door and walks around the front to the driver's side while James loads our luggage into the trunk. The poor guard hardly gets time to shut it before Dominik starts the engine and pulls away. “Why the hurry?” I ask. “My social battery is depleted,” he answers, and only when we turn onto the main road does he seem to relax a little. “Is it really that difficult for you to be around people?” I ask. “Yes.” He shoots me a glance, then explains, “The orphanage was overcrowded. Since I got out of that hell hole, I find it hard to be around people for long periods.” “I’m sorry you had such a horrible childhood,” I whisper. He just nods, then reaches for my hand and places it on his thigh. His thumb brushes over my skin, and I notice how he lets out a breath of relief, relaxing even more. Not thinking things through, I whisper, “My hermit.” He glances at me, the corner of his mouth lifting in a hot smirk. “I like the sound of that.” “Yeah?” “Yeah.”
― Michelle Heard, The Hermit

“You don’t have to tell me, but how did Evinka get the scar on her neck?” He’s quiet for a moment before he answers, “We don’t have much information about what happened. Just that her family was attacked and her throat was slit. It damaged her vocal cords. It happened a few months before I met her at the orphanage.” Lifting a hand to cover my mouth, I whisper, “Jesus.” He lets out a heavy breath, then says, “She was raped when she was thirteen. The image of her running toward me half-naked is seared into my mind forever.” Shocked, I can only stare at Dominik as my heart goes out to Evinka. Now I understand why Dominik is so patient with me.”
― Michelle Heard, The Hermit

“Be ready at six am. There’s no time to waste,” I say before walking out of the office. “Didn’t Ciara say anything to you?” I hear Ian ask. “Right after Dominik arrived, she mentioned running away,” Grace murmurs. “And you didn’t think to tell me?!” I stop walking and clench my jaw as I contemplate putting a bullet in Ian for raising his voice at Grace. “Why would I tell you anything?” Grace asks, her tone void of emotion. “You’ve done nothing but undermine us and put us at risk.” When a slap echoes through the air, I spin around as I yank my gun from the holster. Stalking back into the office, I don’t think twice as I train the weapon on Devlin’s right arm. Pulling the trigger, the shot rings through the office, ripping a scream from Grace, who quickly covers her ears with her hands while her terrified eyes fly to me.”
― Michelle Heard, The Hermit

“Grace stands her ground, not backing down. “No thanks to you. I won’t put Ciara at risk of being abused.” My head snaps to Grace, and I capture her eyes. “Abused? You think I’d hit her?” A weird expression tightens her features, and this time, I recognize it faster for what it is. Trauma. Before I can stop myself, I ask with a fucking dark tone, “What did Mallon do to you?” Ian quickly shakes his head. “We don’t talk about it. Just know Grace is off the table.” “Tell me!” I demand, my patience slipping fast. Realizing not to fuck around anymore, Ian clears his throat before saying, “He used to beat Grace.” The frown on my forehead deepens even more as I look at Grace. “And?” She shakes her head. “Someone like you wouldn’t understand.” My voice is downright deadly as I mutter, “Try me.” She stares at me for a moment before saying, “Even though we were married, I never accepted Braden.”
― Michelle Heard, The Hermit

“Staring at Grace Devlin, that’s been a hell of a surprise, I realize I’m too impressed by the woman. The way she amuses me instead of pissing me off should be alarming as fuck. But it’s not. It’s becoming addictive. But then there’s the panic attacks. A frown forms on my forehead as I continue to stare at her. She constantly gives me the impression she’s a fighter, but I’m starting to think she’s broken beyond repair. A person only becomes this reckless with their life when they’ve already faced their worst nightmare and it destroyed them. She doesn’t fight for herself, only for her sister. “Hmm,” I grumble while taking in every inch of her beautiful features. Before I can stop myself, I bring my hand to her face and gently nudge soft blond strands away from her cheek.”
― Michelle Heard, The Hermit

“I’m not husband material,” I mutter, “I prefer solitude.” “I know.” He moves around the side of the desk and comes to stand in front of me. “Marry her and give me one grandchild. The rest of the time, you don’t even have to see each other. She can go on living her life here in Ireland with me while you continue with yours in Slovakia. A marriage and one grandchild for fifty percent of the shares.” “Jebat,” I mutter something similar to ‘fuck’ under my breath. The corner of his mouth lifts. “Come on. It’s a fucking good deal, and you’ll get an heir. It’s a win-win for both of us. We’ll be unbeatable.” He’s right. Grace’s wide gray eyes flit through my mind. Even though she was beaten up, it didn’t do much to hide her beauty. “She stays here,” I mutter. Devlin nods quickly. “Does she know I made her a widow?” Confusion settles on his face. “You’re not marrying Grace. I’m talking about Ciara.”
― Michelle Heard, The Hermit

“Exhaling another sigh, he says, “I’ll consider it on one condition.” I cross my arms over my chest. “What?” “Marry my daughter. If we become family, I’ll give you the shares.” I pull a disgruntled face, not liking the sound of that at all. I’m a hermit by nature and don’t want anyone else in my personal space. The only person I deal with often is Evinka, my second in charge, and the sole reason she doesn’t annoy the fuck out of me is because she’s mute. Evinka controls my employees, and I only leave my home when I have to take care of an important deal. Like this one. She’s the only person I trust because we grew up in the same orphanage and had each other's backs from the beginning. We might as well be blood-related because I consider her family, and I know she’s always viewed me as an older brother.”
― Michelle Heard, The Hermit

“miláčik.”
― Michelle Heard, The Hermit

“I hate that our worth is measured by whether we’re married and mothers. Women are so much more than just those two things.”
― Michelle Heard, The Hermit

“Interrupt me again when I’m talking to my wife, and I’ll fucking kill you,” Dominik growls angrily before heading down the stairs.”
― Michelle Heard, The Hermit

“Murder coats my words as I hiss, “Finish that sentence, and it will be the last time you speak.”
― Michelle Heard, The Hermit

“I’m beginning to think you’re the crazy one between us,” I murmur. “Never thought that would be a turn-on for me, though.”
― Michelle Heard, The Hermit

“us?” I really want to go back to my bedroom”
― Michelle Heard, The Hermit

“I quickly clear my throat and rush through the words, “For my lawful husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, hopefully for better, but I get a feeling it will be for worse,” I add my own little twist before continuing, “For richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part, which I’ll definitely give my best try if you attempt to consummate this marriage.”
― Michelle Heard, The Hermit

“With a hoarse voice, I say, “He raped you.”
― Michelle Heard, The Hermit