E.L. Lewis > Quotes

“I hear my name being chanted at the back of the venue. I narrow my eyes, following the husky hoots and hollers until my gaze lands on a sea of leather vests and plaid bandanas. Oh, my Lanta... A sparkly hot pink sign that reads Princess for President is hoisted in the air, and the arms holding it are attached to none other than the Vice-President of one of America's most notorious biker gangs.”
― E.L. Lewis, Darlin'

“I have been a rhythmic gymnastics instructor and pageant coach for young girls since I was sixteen," I state, combative. "That's a real job, Jesse." "A pageant coach?" He blinks. "Like beauty pageants?" "Yes," I murmur. "Like beauty pageants." "I assume you've got some experience yourself, then?" he asks, amused. "Little Miss Savannah from Alabama?" "I actually am Miss Alabama," I state with fleeting pride. Instant regret. "My oh my..." he draws out, fanning himself. "I didn't know I was in the presence of pageant royalty. What an honor.”
― E.L. Lewis, Darlin'

“What..." I clear my throat, treading lightly. "What was she like?" Jesse snorts. "She was a handful." He gives me a softened side-eye. "Always had to be right, never took no for an answer, and couldn't cook for shit." "My type of woman." I smile, stroking Jesse's arm in comfort. "I think I would've liked her plenty.”
― E.L. Lewis, Darlin'

“Your new...acquaintances," Miguel begins, "they're not good people, Savannah. Their partnership with Los Caballero has resulted in the deaths of many people, and my team is on the precipice of shutting down The Sons for good.”
― E.L. Lewis, Darlin'

“Whatever," Marlow says as we stop just outside the bar. "Creeps be creeping.”
― E.L. Lewis, Darlin'

“I glower at him. "Don't cuss at me." "Or what?" he asks, smirking. "You'll pepper spray me?" "Don't tempt me with a good time," I snap back.”
― E.L. Lewis, Darlin'

“Love isn't a cure. It's a disease. It's a sickness. It hurts. It kills. It's painful.”
― E.L. Lewis, MILO

“So you're in school?" Miguel asks as we work on our hamstrings. "Almost done," I say. "I've got one semester left. Starts in September." "What are you taking?" he asks. I roll my eyes. “General Arts. I know, right? Everyone says it’s a useless degree. But my momma said it doesn't matter what I major in 'cause I'm never gonna have to work, so why choose a hard one." Miguel frowns. "Why won't you need to work?" I snort. "Cause us Kingsley women aren't workers, Miguel. We're potential wives. At least that's what I've been told since I was five.”
― E.L. Lewis, Darlin'

“I always do things I shouldn't do." He smirks, powering down as he slowly backs away. I collapse on the bed, staring at him with a dumbfounded expression. "If you know me as well as you think you do..." Jesse flicks his tongue seductively across his thumb. Oh my. "You should know that." He grins at my flushed face, satisfied with his handy work. "Keep the leather, babe. I'm starting to like it.”
― E.L. Lewis, Darlin'

“Darlin', I'm like a weed; there's no getting rid of me. And if you do, I'll just come back stronger and more resistant.”
― E.L. Lewis, Darlin'

“I can't drink liquid bread," I whine, slumping over the bar front. "Lord help me. What is happening right now?”
― E.L. Lewis, Darlin'

“Andy perks up a brow and glances over at Marlow's table. "Sure Pippa doesn't want a diet coke?" I glower at her. “What's that supposed to mean?" "Come on, Savvy.” Andy chuckles in a heinous tone. "Even you're not that stupid." My jaw locks as I seethe out, “Regular coke is fine. And I don’t think it’s your place to comment on what other people eat or drink. You’re a bartender, Andrea, not a nutritionist.” She rolls her eyes. "Whatever.”
― E.L. Lewis, Darlin'

“Hilarious." After fifteen years of martial arts and gymnastics training, I could probably whoop a couple of asses, but my battery needs a recharge. I need to meditate. Or nap. Probably both. "Maybe tomorrow, okay? When I'm more rested.”
― E.L. Lewis, Darlin'

“I'd personally prefer to work with Prozac Blondie than Zombie Blondie tonight, okay?”
― E.L. Lewis, Darlin'

“This was just sex...right?" Jesse looks at me, dazed and satisfied. "What else would it be?" He licks his dry lips, grinning slightly. "You're still annoying as fuck." He gently slaps my thigh. "But equally sexy.”
― E.L. Lewis, Darlin'

“Rad mentioned you were a bit dramatic, but this? Wow. Talk about high maintenance.”
― E.L. Lewis, Darlin'

“Do not be afraid; our fate cannot be taken from us; it is a gift,”
― E.L. Lewis, MILO

“Beau tenses up. "I'd take a bullet over 'Bama any day of the week.”
― E.L. Lewis, Darlin'

“There really is nothin' Southern about Southern California, is there? Y'all are in desperate need of a woman's touch.”
― E.L. Lewis, Darlin'

“You think that I am a member of El Cartel de Los Caballero," he notes quietly. "And while that may be true, it is not all I am." Fear rips through my veins as he reaches into his pocket and hands me a business card. With a thumping heart, I take the card, my vision blurring as I stare at the logo for the Department of Justice. "I work for the DEA, Miss Kingsley." "DEA..." This can't be happening. He's a federal agent? An undercover federal agent? "Mr."—I swallow, throat drying as I read the card—"Ramos...I don't⁠—”
― E.L. Lewis, Darlin'

“We..." Jesse releases another long breath. "We're so doing that again.”
― E.L. Lewis, Darlin'

“I don't know why he'd choose this life," I murmur. "He had so much potential. He could've done anything, and he decided to do this? I don't get it, Marlow, I really don't." "Sometimes, it's not our job to understand," she says. "Sometimes, it's just our job to support.”
― E.L. Lewis, Darlin'

“What about my safety? He's cartel, Jesse! What if he kidnaps me?" "He's not going to kidnap you. And if he does, you're just annoying enough that he might willingly set you free after a few days," Jesse says, tone low and sour.”
― E.L. Lewis, Darlin'

“Although, based on our brief interactions, Jesse seems to be anything but a basic bitch.”
― E.L. Lewis, Darlin'

“Maybe I ain't a nice girl anymore, momma," I grunt. "Maybe I'm a bad girl. A super bad girl. Maybe I eat processed sugar and drink beer now!" "Take it back!" she snarls. "You take that back!”
― E.L. Lewis, Darlin'

“You're about as charming as a tick on a ballsack." Jesse blinks, and I make a threatening pinching motion with my fingertips. "Chomp chomp.”
― E.L. Lewis, Darlin'

“I close the PDF, hop over to Google, and search the Sons of Sorrow, immediately regretting that decision. Racketeering. Drug Trafficking. Gunrunning. Money laundering.”
― E.L. Lewis, Darlin'

“All of this started when that momma of three introduced me to smut. And now, all I can think about is Jesse's hands all over my body, doing things that would surely ban me from the church.”
― E.L. Lewis, Darlin'

“What do you mean found me?" My brother blinks, a frown marring his forehead. "You knew where I was, Savannah." "What?" I sniffle, taken aback. "No...no, I didn't." "Yes, you did," he says, certain. "Momma said she told you." "Momma?" I drop my hand, stomach bubbling with fury. "You've talked to momma?" Beau squints, confused. "Yes⁠—" "When?" I seethe through my teeth. "As soon as I left.”
― E.L. Lewis, Darlin'

“I did not in a million years think we'd see our boy again.” She sniffles, looking back at Beau. “Satan’s graffiti be damned, I am so glad you’re home.”
― E.L. Lewis, Darlin'