Tiger's Quest Quotes

“I decided to find you, throw myself at your feet, and beg you to have mercy on me. Honestly, I’ll accept whatever you choose, Kelsey. Just don’t ask me to live apart from you again. Because...I can’t.”
― Colleen Houck, Tiger's Quest

“There are many different types of kisses. There’s a passionate kiss of farewell—like the kind Rhett gave Scarlett when he went off to war. The kiss of I-can’t-really-be-with-you-but-I-want-to-be—like with Superman and Lois Lane. There’s the first kiss—one that is gentle and hesitant, warm and vulnerable. And then there’s the kiss of possession—which was how Ren kissed me now.
It went beyond passion, beyond desire. His kiss was full of longing, need, and love, like all those other kisses. But, it was also filled with promises and pledges, some of which seemed sweet and tender while others seemed dangerous and exciting. He was taking me over. Staking a claim.
He seized me as boldly as the tiger captured his prey. There was no escape. And I didn’t want to. I would have happily died in his clutches. I was his. And he made sure I knew it. My heart burst with a thousand beautiful blooms, all tiger lilies. And I knew with a certainty more powerful than anything I’d ever felt before that we belonged together. ”
― Colleen Houck, Tiger's Quest

“You know you are in love when you see the world in her eyes, and her eyes everywhere in the world.”
― Colleen Houck, Tiger's Quest

“No matter what happens, please remember that I love you, hridaya patni. Promise me that you'll remember."

"It's a pet name our father used to call our mother. It means...wife of my heart.”
― Colleen Houck, Tiger's Quest

“You didn’t think I’d let you go alone, did you?”
“No, but I’m grateful that I had you with me.”
“Grateful is all I’m going to get, isn’t it?”
“What else were you hoping for?”
“Adoration, devotion, affection, infatuation, or just plain finding me irresistible.”
“Sorry, Don Juan. You’ll have to live with my undying gratitude.”
― Colleen Houck, Tiger's Quest

“I once told Ren our story wasn't over.
And it's not.
Not yet.”
― Colleen Houck, Tiger's Quest

“I was just slipping my pajama top over my head when I heard Ren bellow, “YOU ate ALL of my peanut . . . butter . . . COOKIES?”
― Colleen Houck, Tiger's Quest

“One's enemy is often the best teacher of tolerance.”
― Colleen Houck, Tiger's Quest

“Kishan spoke intently, "Kelsey is all that a man could ask for. She's perfect for you. She loves poetry and sits endlessly content while listening to you sing and play your guitar. She waited months for you to come after her, and she has risked her life repeatedly to save your mangy white hide. She's sweet and loving and warm and beautiful and would make you immeasurably happy."

There was a pause. Then I heard Ren say incredulously, "You love her."

Kishan didn't answer right away, but then said softly, almost so I couldn't hear it, "No man in his right mind wouldn't, which proves you aren't in your right mind.”
― Colleen Houck, Tiger's Quest

“Tarzan-like men are my weakness, apparently.”
― Colleen Houck, Tiger's Quest

“He seized me as boldly as a tiger captures his prey. There was no escape. And I didn't want to. I would have happily died in his clutches. I was his, and he made sure I knew it. My heart burst with a thousand beautiful blooms, all tiger lilies. And I knew with a certainty more powerful than anything I'd ever felt before that we belonged together.
He finally lifted his head and murmured against my lips, "It's about bloody time, woman.”
― Colleen Houck, Tiger's Quest

“I find that all people are fundamentally alike. We are one human family. Perhaps we have different clothes, our skin is of a different color, or we speak various languages, but that is on the surface only. We all have dreams and seek for things that will bring true happiness. To know all the world, I just need to learn about myself.”
― Colleen Houck, Tiger's Quest

“I shoved him. "Kishan. Kishan! Wake up!"

He woke only halfway and pulled me closer. "Shh, go back to sleep. It's not morning yet."

"Yes, it is morning." I pushed against his ribs. "Time to wake up. Come on!"

"Okay, honey, but how about a kiss first? A man needs some motivation to get out of bed."

"That kind of motivation keeps a man in bed. I'm not kissing you. Now get up.”
― Colleen Houck, Tiger's Quest

“... A hot shower is going to feel heavenly."

He raised an eyebrow. "Would you like to go first."

"No, you go ahead."

His eyes twinkled as he regarded me, "It would be more heavenly if you told me you wanted to conserve water."

My mouth opened in shock. "Kishan!"

He winked at me. "I didn't think so. Can't blame a guy for trying.”
― Colleen Houck, Tiger's Quest

“If a king owned a pearl without price, a gem he cherished above all. Would he hide it away, bury it from sight afraid others would take it? Or would he display it proudly, set it in a ring or crown, so that all the world could behold its beauty and see what richness it brings to his life? You are my pearl without price.”
― Colleen Houck, Tiger's Quest

“All things considered, I'd rather have monkeys," Kishan shouted.

I shivered. "Tell you what. We'll rent King Kong and The Birds. Then you can decide."

He yelled as he ran from a swooping bird, "Are you asking me on a date? Because if you are, it will definitely give me more incentive to come out of this alive."

"Whatever works"

"You're on.”
― Colleen Houck, Tiger's Quest

“Softly, Kishan said, "And it seems that the only girls I'm ever interested in... always belong to Ren.”
― Colleen Houck, Tiger's Quest

“You said parachute. You think we're going to parachute out of here?"

"Yep."

"I don't think so."

"Ah, come on. Tigers aren't afraid of heights, are they?"

"This isn't about heights. This is about being extremely high up in a tree and hurtling out bodies into oblivion based on a strange fabric that you now claim is a parachute.”
― Colleen Houck, Tiger's Quest

“A deep rumble echoed in his chest.
I pulled back, laughing. "Are you growling at me?"
He laughed softly, twisted my hair ribbon around his fingers, and pulled gently, loosening my braid. Biting my ear lightly, he whispered a threat, "You have been driving me crazy for three weeks. Your lucky all I'm doing is growling.”
― Colleen Houck, Tiger's Quest

“It's a McLaren SLR 722 Roadster."

"How big is it?"

"It's a convertible."

"Will a tiger fit?"

"No. It seats only two, but the boys are man half the day now."

"Is it more than $30,000?"

He squirmed and hedged, "Yes, but-"

"How much more?"

"Much more."

"How much more?"

"About $400,000 more."

My mouth dropped open. "Mr. Kadam!"

"Miss Kelsey, I know it's extravagant, but when you drive it, you will see it's worth every cent."

I folded my hands across my chest. "I won't drive it."

He looked offended. "That car was meant to be driven."

"Then you drive it. I'll drive the Jeep."

He looked tempted. "If it will appease you, perhaps we can share it."

Kishan clapped his hands. "I can't wait."

Mr. Kadam wagged a finger at him. "Oh, no! Not you. We'll get you a nice sedan. Used.”
― Colleen Houck, Tiger's Quest

“I spent the rest of that day brainstorming. How do you catch a very old, very alert tiger by surprise? Use his weaknesses: food, feminine wiles, poetry, and over-protectiveness. The poor guy didn't stand a chance.”
― Colleen Houck, Tiger's Quest

“Back at home inside our garage, Ren opened the door for me. Instead of helping me out, he leaned over and growling softly. His lips brushed against the sensitive skin under my ear. His voice was seductive, dangerous.

"I'm warning you, Kelsey. I'm an extremely patient man. I've had extensive practice in waiting out the enemy. My life as a tiger has taught me that persistence and diligence always pay off. Consider yourself forewarned, priyatama. I'm on the hunt. I've caught your scent, and I won't be thwarted in my course.”
― Colleen Houck, Tiger's Quest

“... Now what brings you down here? Want to work out?"

"No. I wondered if you wanted to go for a swim. Mr. Kadam has ordered us to relax today."

He grabbed a towel and scrubbed his face and head. "A swim, huh? It might cool me off." He peeked from around his towel. "Unless you're planning to wear a bikini.”
― Colleen Houck, Tiger's Quest

“It's about bloody time, woman.”
― Colleen Houck, Tiger's Quest

“Okay. So, apparently I find burly Indian men attractive. What's wrong with that?”
― Colleen Houck, Tiger's Quest

“A life with Ren was harder to picture. We didn't look as if we belonged together. It was like matching up Ken with Strawberry Shortcake. He needed Barbie.”
― Colleen Houck, Tiger's Quest

“What would Ren do in Oregon? Would he get a job? What would he put on his resume? High Protector and former Prince of India?”
― Colleen Houck, Tiger's Quest

“When we reached the front of the line at Burgerville, Ren let me order first and then asked for seven huge sandwiches, three orders of fries, a large soda, and one large blackberry milkshake. When the lady asked if it was to go, he shook his head, confused, and told her we'd be dining in. I laughed and told the lady he was very hungry.”
― Colleen Houck, Tiger's Quest

“No one can understand what you've been through more than Kishan and Mr. Kadam. I think the best thing you can do to repay him is to give him that level of loyalty in return. He considers you and Kishan sons and the best way a son can honor his father is to be the kind of man that would make him proud.”
― Colleen Houck, Tiger's Quest

“I peeked at him out of the corner of my eye. He had a slight smirk on his face. I imagined he was mentally checking off a task in his planner.

Seduce date by talking about other girls
Impress date with number of awards you have received
Do not spend money on date
Make date watch corny movie in media center
Sneak in comments about your frugality
Put arm around date at exactly the halfway mark of the movie”
― Colleen Houck, Tiger's Quest