Hope[less] Quotes

“You don’t need to talk to get to know someone, you just need to listen,”
― Melissa Haag, Hope(less)

“My heart melted a little thinking of the effort he’d put into trying to be what I needed, and I knew I fought a losing battle.”
― Melissa Haag, Hope(less)

“I knew without a doubt I’d found the perfect man. He would stand by me. Always.”
― Melissa Haag, Hope(less)

“I met his eyes and smiled back. His easy acceptance of everything that happened finished melting my heart. ‘I love you’.”
― Melissa Haag, Hope(less)

“I met his gaze. Even then, he’d known me. I hadn’t been ready for any monumental life changes and still wasn’t sure if I was now.”
― Melissa Haag, Hope(less)

“I don’t know who to trust.” Clay nodded and leaned his forehead against mine.  “I’ll stand with you, always.”
― Melissa Haag, Hope(less)

“I stepped closer to Clay and laid my head against his chest, wrapping my arms around his waist.  “Everyone I’ve ever loved this way I’ve lost,” I said, recalling my earliest memories of my mom and grandma.  I hugged him close.  “Don’t let me down.” “I won’t.  You’re stuck with me forever,” he whispered as he held me close. I pulled back enough to meet his eyes and knew without a doubt I’d found the perfect man.  He would stand by me.  Always. I”
― Melissa Haag, Hope(less)

“I’m not sure where to start.” He pulled me into his arms.  “Anywhere.  I’ll listen.” He always did. ”
― Melissa Haag, Hope(less)

“Why?”  My high, strained voice made me sound like a child.  I cleared my throat and tried again.  “Why wait until now to talk?”  Apparently, my curiosity had won. He quietly studied me for a moment then opened his arms.  I didn’t hesitate, but stepped right into them.  I needed his comfort.  He tucked me against his chest and gave me his explanation in a simple, heart-melting way. “If I’d spoken, even just one word, I would have never been able to hold back what I feel for you.  You would have run.” I remembered the day he’d plopped down on the towel next to Rachel.  Had he arrived any other way, I would have tried to kick him out.  If that wouldn’t have worked, I would have...run. Even then, he’d known me.  I hadn’t been ready for any monumental life changes then and wasn’t sure if I was now. I”
― Melissa Haag, Hope(less)

“I tilted my head and kissed his cheek.  The whiskers abraded my lips, but I didn’t mind.  I moved lower, finding his lips.  He didn’t resist me, but didn’t join in as he had in the car.  I frowned slightly.  A stab of doubt pierced my heart.  This didn’t feel right, yet.  He still hid from me. Nudging his jaw with my nose, I made room to nuzzle his neck.  My lips skimmed his smooth skin.  His pulse jumped under my mouth.  Finally, he reacted.  Both his hands came up, holding my sides, kneading me, encouraging.  My breath quickened, and my heart hammered.  Yes!  This was right. Something took possession of me.  With one hand, I gripped his hair and tugged it.  He tilted his head to the side and exposed his neck, giving in willingly.  My eyes traced his neck where his pulse skipped erratically.  The beat matched my own.  I couldn’t look away from that clean-shaven spot.  I recalled when he had started shaving it.  He’d known I would need to see it.  For this.  I kissed it lightly and felt him shudder.  Before the shudder ended, I bit him hard on the same spot.  Hard enough to draw blood. The taste of his blood on my tongue broke the hold he had on me and created a new one somewhere deep inside.  I pulled back slightly to look at the small marks I’d left.  They had already begun to heal. The pull he had on me and the euphoria of the moment faded as the horror of what I’d just done washed over me. Clay stared at me in stunned silence...versus his everyday silence.  Behind me, someone moved and called attention to the fact that we still had an audience.  A Claiming typically occurred in private. A deep blush seized my cheeks, and embarrassed tears began to gather.  I wiped the blood from my mouth with a shaky hand.  I didn’t regret Claiming him, but wished we could have talked first.  I needed reassurance.  Would this mean I’d have to quit school?  Would he want me to live in the woods with him?  If he did, I owed it to him to try after everything he’d done for me. Then, a really ugly question floated to the surface.  Had I just forced him? Panic bloomed in my chest.  Before I could scramble off his lap, he reached up and gently stroked my hair.  I froze, hands braced on his chest for stability, ready to flee. “I’ve been waiting for that since the moment I saw you,” he said in a deep and husky voice.  He sounded like a midnight radio DJ. Hearing his perfect voice ignited my temper.  Now, he could talk?  I scowled at him.  The man had the audacity to laugh then scoop me up in his arms. The”
― Melissa Haag, Hope(less)

“Sunlight penetrated the darkness behind my eyelids.  I no longer sprawled sideways on the bed on top the comforter but underneath it, snugly tucked in.  Clay sat up in the space next to me, pillows stacked behind him as he read a book.  His posture didn’t fool me.  He really sat there to watch over me while I slept.  I knew with an unexplainable certainty that he would never leave me again. “Good morning,” I said, pulling the covers up to my chin.  Thanks to Rachel-the-heat-miser, the room felt cool, but I enjoyed lower rent. Clay closed his book as soon as I woke and turned to examine me. “I want to talk to you but keep falling asleep.  If I do it again, wake me up.”  I smiled at him when he pulled me close to snuggle against him.  It was much warmer that way. “During”
― Melissa Haag, Hope(less)

“I dozed the whole way home, waking when Clay lifted me from the car.  With blankets still twisted around me, he carried me to my room and gently set me on the bed. A few minutes later, he settled next to me.  It didn’t matter anymore if he wore his fur or stayed as a man.  He remained with me.  It was enough. *”
― Melissa Haag, Hope(less)

“I tried to lean forward, but Clay wrapped his arms loosely around my waist.  He didn’t give an inch, and I didn’t fight it.  I’d pushed him enough for the night...or day. ”
― Melissa Haag, Hope(less)

“I pulled open the door and yelped.  The steady thump in my head increased its tempo. Clay stood just outside the door, leaning against the wall.  He held a glass of water in one hand and two pills in the other.  I tried to read his face, but he kept it perfectly blank.  I hoped that meant he wasn’t angry with me.  Desperate to relieve the pain in my head, I released my death grip on the door and gulped down the pills. When I tried handing him the empty glass, he shook his head and picked me up again.  My feet had been getting cold, anyway.  Holding the empty glass, I sighed and rested my head against his chest. He went toward my room, and I almost complained until I saw what he’d done.  He’d changed the sheets and remade the bed.  Socks, slippers, and my hairbrush lay on the quilt, waiting.  He’d known I would go for the shower and had given me privacy even though he hadn’t wanted me to get out of bed.  Not only that, but he’d gotten everything ready for when I finished. I looked at him.  He studied me, his arms still securely around me.  I leaned in, kissed his cheek tenderly, and hesitated there.  He smelled so good.  I just wanted to curl back up with him. ”
― Melissa Haag, Hope(less)

“I woke several more times, only drinking a bit of water before passing out again.  Each time the pain in my head decreased a little until, finally, I woke with more clarity. “Water,” I whispered into the darkness. Again, an arm snaked under me and lifted me for a cool drink.  I drained the cup.  The arm lowered me, and I settled back onto the pillow.  My ears rang in the silence. “How long have I been sleeping?” I asked just to hear something. Instead of an answer, I got a tight hug. “I really hope you’re Clay,” I whispered breathlessly. His gruff laugh wrapped around me, just as comforting as his hug. “Can”
― Melissa Haag, Hope(less)

“He set me on my feet, snagged a spare jacket from one of the hooks, and carefully buttoned me in.  I studied his face as he concentrated on each snap.  Always thinking of me.  When he finished, he scooped me back into his arms.  I didn’t protest. Bundled”
― Melissa Haag, Hope(less)

“He must have seen something in my gaze because he pushed away from the door and moved closer.  He stopped in front of me, and without breaking eye contact, reached into my bag and pulled out a pair of jeans.  He held them out to me and tapped his lips. I smiled widely.  “A kiss for the jeans?” He nodded.  I grabbed the jeans from his loose grasp and tossed them on the bed. He watched me, curious, as I stood and placed my hands on his chest for balance. “I don’t need bribes to kiss you, Clay.  Come here.” His lips covered mine in a move so fast, my head spun even more.  I clutched his shirt in my fists, not sure if it was his kiss or my condition that caused the current wave of dizziness.  His arms circled around me.  I felt safe.  And so desired.  I pressed myself closer, and he increased the pressure on my lips.  His warm breath fanned my face.  One of his hands roamed up to curve around the back of my neck. My heart skipped a beat, and my breathing became more erratic.  I knew he’d hear but I didn’t care.  Standing on my tiptoes, I loosened my hold on his shirt and slid my hands up and around his neck.  I didn’t want him to let go just yet. Tentatively, I opened my mouth and ran my tongue across his bottom lip.  He growled, and his hold tightened fractionally.  A thrill shot through me, heating my limbs and tickling my stomach.  I used my tongue again.  His mouth opened in response.  He took control of the kiss and turned it from tender-sweet to passionately melting.  Our tongues touched.  I stopped breathing.  My world tilted then steadied.  He anchored me.  How could I doubt this?  Us? My lungs burned for air, and he gently pulled away even though I whined in protest.  He kissed my cheek, then my forehead. It took a minute for the world to right itself again while I caught my breath.  Clay placed his chin on my head and held me tight.  My head rested on his chest over his thundering heart.  The kiss had affected him as much as it had me.  It made me smile because now I knew without a doubt; I attracted him, not my strange pull. I”
― Melissa Haag, Hope(less)

“It’s annoying not being able to see you,” I said in place of a good morning.  I flipped to my stomach and propped myself up with my elbows to get a better look at him. “If you don’t talk, and I can’t see your face, how am I ever supposed to figure out what you’re thinking?” I reached out to move some hair out of the way, but he stopped me in a blurred move, catching my wrist gently in his hand.  He didn’t let me any closer.  First, he ditched me on dinner night then he wouldn’t let me touch him?  The thought stopped me.  I really hadn’t touched him before either, at least not as a man.  Maybe he was like me, a little standoffish.  I could understand that. “Seriously, Clay, what kind of bribe is it going to take for you to get rid of some of that hair?” He flashed his elongated canines at me again in explanation. “Can’t we at least trim it back some?”  Okay maybe a lot, but I knew to start with baby steps. He tugged my hand to his chest, laying it flat.  So much for my theory about not wanting to be touched.  I patiently allowed it because with him, everything was guessing or pantomime.  His chest warmed my palm. Using his free hand, he tapped my mouth.  I frowned, perplexed. “What, you want me to be mute like you?”  Was he hinting I talked too much? He shook his head and reached out again.  This time, he cupped my jaw and lightly ran his thumb over my bottom lip.  The gentle touch caused the pull in my stomach to intensify.  Though I couldn’t see his eyes, I read his intent. “Whoa!”  I scrambled out of the bed as if it had caught fire. He stayed where I left him and turned his head to study me as I stood trembling beside the bed.  I nervously rubbed a sweaty palm, the one that had moments before rested on his chest, against my leg.  His whiskers twitched down.  I couldn’t recall him frowning at me before. I almost asked where that idea suddenly came from, but guessed it was long overdue.  According to the Elders, when an unMated male finds his female, he begins a courtship of sorts.  The end goal is to Claim his Mate. But Clay hadn’t courted me.  He just lived here in his fur.  And sometimes cooked for me.  And sometimes helped me with chores...and when he wasn’t around, I felt disappointed and missed him.  My fearful expression slackened to one of stunned amazement.  He had been courting me these last few months.  Clever dog. Not”
― Melissa Haag, Hope(less)

“The next morning I woke snuggled up against Clay, who must have snuck in at some point during the night.  Though Rachel had technically turned on the heat, she kept it low.  It made Clay’s extra warmth nice. When the sleep cleared enough from my head, I realized he laid next to me on his back...in man-form.  I held still, trying to decide how I felt about it.  When I’d been sick, he’d done it to help me.  There hadn’t really been a choice.  I wasn’t sick now.  But he wasn’t being weird about it.  So, should I really make a big deal out of it?  I decided not to.  Warm feet felt nice; a warm all of me felt better. Considerately,”
― Melissa Haag, Hope(less)

“Shivers shook me so badly my head ached.  Naturally, I leaned back against Clay and wrapped my arms around myself.  The heat of him penetrated through the back of my borrowed flannel and warmed me fractionally, but not enough to stop the shaking. Giving up on the attempt to warm myself, I reached back, grabbed both of his arms, and pulled them around me. He willingly wrapped me in his arms and tried to warm me.  His chin rested on the top of my head.  I could feel his heat, but the tremors continued. “I don’t feel good,” I said with chattering teeth. When he placed a hand briefly against my forehead a few minutes later, I knew he’d heard my complaint. “Do I feel warm?”  I turned my head to look at him. He met my eyes and shook his head.  I lost my train of thought for a moment.  I’d forgotten he’d pulled his hair back so I could see more of his face, and I smiled absently.  He had nice eyes.  Expressive.  My brain began to feel foggy, and I knew he could tell when his brows drew down in concern.  I didn’t like his frown.  It detracted from his lovely brown eyes.  Chocolate.  That’d taste good. I realized my mind had wondered and reined it in. “I”
― Melissa Haag, Hope(less)

“You can talk to me, Clay,” I said with a little hope.  I really began to wonder if he could speak.  When he didn’t respond, I spoke again.  “Okay, do you want to go out or stay in?” He moved to the couch and sat in the middle, his choice clear.  Stay in tonight. I hesitated.  The chair, set at an odd angle to the TV, gave you a sore neck if you tried to watch a movie from there.  That meant I’d need to sit next to him to watch a movie.  But I felt so exposed in a skirt and sleeveless shirt. I wasn’t sure if I could sit next to him for a full movie. While I debated my options, he watched me closely. “I’m going to go change,” I stammered. “I’ll be right back.” I turned and made it one step before the back of my shirt snagged on something.  Surprised, I looked over my shoulder and found Clay standing right behind me.  He held a fold of my shirt between his thumb and forefinger.  I could see the glint of his brown eyes behind the still damp strands of his hair.  He tilted his head back toward the couch and gave a slight tug on my shirt.  My stomach dropped, and I couldn’t tell if it was in a good way or a bad one. When I hesitated, he gave another tug.  I surrendered, turned back, and sat on the couch. He padded over to the movies, made a selection I couldn’t see, and crouched to start it.  It amazed me that he knew how to do that.  Then again, he watched everything Rachel and I did.  I wondered if anything escaped his notice. He pressed play, stood, and walked toward me with fluid strides.  I felt graceless in comparison.  He settled next to me and watched the previews.  I tried to focus on them, too, but couldn’t.  Instead, I noticed our bare feet, the scratch on the wall next to the TV, his leg lightly pressed against mine, the sound of the water as it slowly dripped from the showerhead in the bathroom, his hands loosely resting on his lap.  The long list of unimportant details would not let my mind settle. It was midway through the movie when my mind calmed enough to notice we watched an action-comedy I’d wanted to see.  I’d just mentioned it to Rachel this past week.  She must have gotten it after that. Slowly, I began to relax and enjoy the movie.  I even laughed aloud at one point.  Clay’s echoing chuckle startled me, but in a good way.  So, he could do more than growl as a dog.  His deep laugh sounded pleasant. When”
― Melissa Haag, Hope(less)

“If Sam told him, I'd have to kill Sam. Since I didn't have the stomach for outright murder, I'd break his coffee maker.”
― Melissa Haag, Hope(less)

“I love you.”  My admission took me by surprise. I didn’t see him move.  He embraced me again, crushing me in a spinning hug.  The room twirled around us at a dizzying speed, and I didn’t attempt to focus on it.  Instead, I looked down at Clay’s face.  He wore a huge smile.  I grinned back and noted his canines were normal for the first time ever. “Oh!”  I squirmed to get down, excited at the size of his teeth.  He grudgingly released me.  “Please can we get rid of the beard?”  Yes, I hopped from foot to foot like a kid begging for cotton candy.  I wanted to see him just once without facial hair.  If he wanted to grow it back, I wouldn’t mind.  I’d fallen in love with him as he was, after all. He nodded, laughing at me. “And”
― Melissa Haag, Hope(less)

“Why?”  My high, strained voice made me sound like a child.  I cleared my throat and tried again.  “Why wait until now to talk?”  Apparently, my curiosity had won. He quietly studied me for a moment then opened his arms.  I didn’t hesitate, but stepped right into them.  I needed his comfort.  He tucked me against his chest and gave me his explanation in a simple, heart-melting way. “If I’d spoken, even just one word, I would have never been able to hold back what I feel for you.  You would have run.” I”
― Melissa Haag, Hope(less)

“Panic bloomed in my chest.  Before I could scramble off his lap, he reached up and gently stroked my hair.  I froze, hands braced on his chest for stability, ready to flee. “I’ve been waiting for that since the moment I saw you,” he said in a deep and husky voice.  He sounded like a midnight radio DJ. Hearing his perfect voice ignited my temper.  Now, he could talk?  I scowled at him.  The man had the audacity to laugh then scoop me up in his arms. The”
― Melissa Haag, Hope(less)

“Several times, I woke to the sound of him tapping his grey nails against the steering wheel.  When I opened my eyes to look at him, I could see his elongated canines.  At those times, I wanted to reach over and pat his leg, but I held myself back. When I woke to see his ears pointed too, I quietly studied him for a few minutes.  I knew I was the cause of his agitation.  He’d sensed my withdrawal.  I hadn’t wanted him to see my confusion.  I wanted to talk to Sam first, before saying anything to Clay.  But my approach obviously wasn’t the right one.  Clay had stuck by me through everything.  I needed to trust that he wouldn’t turn away from me after I revealed what had happened. “Clay...” He paused his tapping. “Could you pull over for a minute?” He glanced at me, lifted a concerned brow, but did as I asked.  The tires crunched on the snowy shoulder.  He stopped the car then turned toward me. A sad smile lifted my lips.  I hated to see him like this.  I tapped my lips.  I needed affirmation that we still had our connection, and he needed assurance I was fine. His tight grip on the steering wheel loosened, and he shook his head in amusement.  I held my breath as he leaned toward me. Clay cradled my face in his hands and kissed me tenderly.  I clutched his shirt, dragging him closer.  When he opened his mouth to nip my bottom lip, I groaned and willingly let him in.  We steamed the windows.  My lungs burned for air.  Finally, I had to pull away to catch my breath.  He wrapped his arms around me and placed small gentle kisses on the top of my head. His neck hovered in my line of sight.  I could give him what he wanted.  A quick bite and I wouldn’t need to worry about other potential Mates.  I could Claim him as my own.  But I didn’t want to hurt him anymore.  Physically or emotionally.  I pulled back from our make-out session. Clay gave me one last kiss on the lips then put the car in drive.  The smooth, tan skin of his very human ears called my attention, as did his clean, pink nails.  He looked content, no longer tapping his fingers while he stared ahead at the snow-covered roads. I”
― Melissa Haag, Hope(less)

“Hi, Dale, it’s Gabby...Clay’s girlfriend.”  It felt weird giving myself that title, but I pushed it aside.  Bigger issues to deal with.  “If he’s there, can I talk to him?” Dale chuckled.  “Sure, but I don’t imagine it’d be much of a conversation.” I heard him call out to Clay.  A moment later, a husky voice said, “Hello?” After not talking to me for so long, hearing his voice startled and annoyed me slightly.  He would talk to a perfect stranger, but not me?  I opened my mouth to say something about it, but the pain in my head insistently prodded me to get on with the important news. “Clay, I did it again.  I’m at the diner where we had breakfast.  I need you to come get me before it gets worse.” He didn’t say anything for so long that I looked at the phone to see if I still had a signal.  The screen said disconnected.  Would it have killed him to say “Okay” or maybe even “Bye” before hanging up?  His hello had been too shocking to recall the sound of his voice. I sighed and put my cell away.  With Sam’s frequent calls and Rachel’s occasional texts, my remaining minutes dipped into the double digits.  I needed to adjust my budget to buy more airtime.  Did life really need to throw me this many curveballs?  And all at once? I forced myself to eat more of my mostly untouched meal so the waitress wouldn’t bother me as I waited. The last of the waves hit me.  Only determination and a hand over my mouth kept me from whimpering.  After about ten minutes, I settled the bill and watched out the window for Clay, barely checking the need to curl into a ball and lie down on the padded bench.  The waitress kept a close eye on me, probably thinking she would need to clean up barf soon.  She might. Dale’s huge tow truck pulled into the parking lot.  Clay opened his door and leapt out while it still rolled to a stop.  Through the window, he spotted me.  His eyes never left me as he strode in and Dale pulled away. Clay still wore his greasy coveralls, and with his hair pulled back, he looked like an angel—a grimy one—coming to save me.  Again. “Hi,”
― Melissa Haag, Hope(less)

“He had waited patiently for me to invite him in and would wait patiently for the next step, whatever I decided that would be. My”
― Melissa Haag, Hope(less)

“Clay, will you keep me warm tonight?”  I’d barely whispered the words when he jumped off the bed. A moment later, he pulled back the covers and joined me.  He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me to his chest.  Bare chest.  I sighed, pressed my face against his skin, warming my cold nose, and wrapped my free arm around his waist.  Then, I tucked my feet under his calves.  He grunted slightly but didn’t loosen his hold. “No more fur at night.  Deal?” The blankets and his chest muffled my voice, but I knew he heard me.  He kissed the top of my head, the only part exposed.  I smiled, figuring it meant yes. The”
― Melissa Haag, Hope(less)

“I stood staring at the cake a long time.  How could I be so blind?  He’d shrugged when I’d asked why he’d gotten his job, but the answer, wrapped in layers of sinful chocolate mousse frosting, sat before my eyes. Thinking back, I identified several of the little things I’d previously overlooked.  Things I’d assumed Rachel had purchased, like movies I’d mentioned I wanted to see.  He’d gotten his job for me because of my speech the day after we’d met.  My heart melted a little as I thought of all the effort he’d put into trying to be what I needed, and I knew I fought a losing battle. *”
― Melissa Haag, Hope(less)