Zoe Archer > Quotes

“Now that I've found you, it scares me witless to think of anything happening. To you. I'm not used to being... afraid." A sudden realization came to her, "So this is love," she said quietly. "The daily prospect of joy or disaster”
― Zoe Archer, Warrior

“Men," she said rueful, "are the most absurd creatures on this green earth." "But there are camels," Gabriel pointed out. "Believe me," she answered. "I've taken camels into consideration.”
― Zoe Archer, Warrior

“There's always truth in seduction. That's why it works.”
― Zoe Archer, Scoundrel

“Do you ever have ordinary days?" she asked as they ascended the stairs.

"Why would I want them?”
― Zoe Archer, Scoundrel

“She buried her face against his chest, solid and broad, allowing herself this moment to fully lean on him, take some of the strength he readily offered. "I don't regret my choice," she said, her voice muffled as she pressed herself tight. "If I had to, I'd make the exact same decisions. But it hurts so damned much."

"Give me your pain, love," he said holding her against the steady beat of his heart. "Let me take it for you."

She shook her head. "No, the pain is mine to bear. I need it." She took a ragged breath. "To make me stronger.”
― Zoe Archer, Scoundrel

“You mean," she breathed, "you're in love with me?"

I don't care what words anyone uses," he growled, stopping his pace to stand in front of her. "Use the words of all the languages you know. Or make some up. Doesn't matter. What matters is that I want to be with you forever. Only you. And I hope to God," he said his voice rough as he stroked her hair, her face, "that you only want me." There was no glib charm now, only the raw truthh of his heart, laid bare before her.”
― Zoe Archer, Scoundrel

“You don't have to fight anyone for me," she said.

"Except you."

Oh God. He leveled her with a few words and searing looks. She felt herself in a dizzying plunge, wanting the flight, worried about the landing. "I give as much as I am able," she said.

"I know," he answered.”
― Zoe Archer, Rebel

“He was the mythic Warrior, the protector of magic, defender of causes, even those not his own. His body was a weapon, and a beautiful one.”
― Zoe Archer

“I know that you'll survive the upcoming battle," he said, "because I'll be fighting right beside you and I'll lay down my own life to protect yours."

"I . . . oh," she said. It took her some moments to understand. "You . . . will come with me?"

"Your fight is my fight," he said. Stark and direct, his words filled her with unsparing joy. "Your cause is mine. And more than that. Your heart is my heart. I love you, Astrid. My place is with you. Always with you.”
― Zoe Archer, Rebel

“Winter had stripped the garden and grounds to their bones. Dead grass crunched beneath Michael’s boots as he and Ada walked toward the ruin. Easy to see why Christmas would be necessary at this time of year. Warmth and green seemed like far memories. But the holiday could provide a welcome break from the relentless gray and chill.”
― Zoe Archer, Winter's Heat

“Give me your pain, love,' he said holding her against the steady beat of his heart. 'Let me take it for you.”
― Zoe Archer

“There's a small thrill in taking a chance”
― Zoe Archer, Wicked Temptation

“A husband I may be, but the change is my mistress and I can never stray."
-Leo Bailey
Demons Bride”
― Zoe Archer, Demon's Bride

“I’m praying, he thought to himself.  He’d never been one for church, preferring to take his divine inspiration from what surrounded him.  But lying here with Olivia, touching her reverently, he felt something shift inside him, something large and profound, as though he’d finally learned the answer to a riddle he’d been trying to solve. ”
― Zoe Archer, Lady X's Cowboy

“She felt, rather than saw, his eyes on her, the interplay of determination and, oddly, humor. “You aren’t taking another step on this journey of yours without me. Someone’s got to knit the socks.”
― Zoe Archer, The Blades of the Rose Bundle: Warrior / Scoundrel / Rebel / Stranger

“She pulled back. A knot of hot anger burned. “You said you wanted all of me.” She started to slide off his lap. His hand shot out and grasped her wrist. “Still do,” he rumbled. “Said I wouldn’t kiss you until you asked. You haven’t asked.” Anger quickly gave way to a fiery burst of gratification. “I’m not asking.” She moved back to sit astride him. “I’m telling you. Kiss me.”
“Damn right I will,” he growled, and then he cupped the back of her neck with one broad, callused hand, urging her close.”
― Zoe Archer, Winter's Heat

“Any man would be daft not to want you.” Her laugh was low and rueful. “Wanting and loving are very different. I know that men can want quite easily.”
― Zoe Archer, Warrior

“Women didn’t have the luxury men did—men could take lovers as much as they liked. But women always bore the consequences, either in the form of a baby or a ruined reputation, or both. Even if none of that mattered, Ada knew herself well enough to understand that she couldn’t take a man to her bed just for physical pleasure.”
― Zoe Archer, Winter's Heat

“All fine and good,” she whispered, after ensuring they were alone, “but how are we supposed to leave the house? Unlike you, I’m not part spider.” “But the spider is strong, and more than happy to carry a ladybug on his back on his way down.” She stared at him. “Now I know you’re mad. You can’t possibly carry me and climb down the building at the same time.” “I can, and I will.” He sounded utterly confident. “All you need to do is hold tight. Unless,” he added, “you want me to search the ruin on my own.” “Just tell me what to do,” she answered.”
― Zoe Archer, Winter's Heat

“But now, she was in Michael’s arms. When they kissed, the world fell away, fluttering off like soot-dusted moths. She knew only him, and the heat they created even in the depths of winter.”
― Zoe Archer, Winter's Heat

“...we can tell our hearts exactly what to believe, but the cheeky little bastards won't listen to anyone but themselves”
― Zoe Archer, Dangerous Seduction

“We’re adaptable, not blunderers. Every step has its questions, its changes. And we’ve got to be ready to face all of it. Think on our feet. The way we get it done doesn’t matter. It’s the end result that counts, and Nemesis doesn’t stop until the job’s finished.” “You’re all a bit mad, aren’t you?” Surprisingly, this was said with a hint of amusement. “Nobody said getting revenge against powerful toffs was a task for the sane.” He chuckled. “Maybe that’s why I jumped at the chance to be a part of it.”

“Then perhaps I’m a bit mad, too,” she said in a confiding whisper. “Because I’m rather liking this vengeance business.” He could hear her smile, and picture it in his mind. He gripped the shelf behind him to keep from reaching for her. Pulling her close. Yet he was a man of his word. He wouldn’t kiss her again until she asked. But he hoped like hell that she did ask.”
― Zoe Archer, Winter's Heat

“I’m done with having a m-man tell me what to d-do.” He could carry her out, force her to wait, but she was determined to test herself, see what she was capable of, and he had to give her that room.”
― Zoe Archer, The Blades of the Rose Bundle: Warrior / Scoundrel / Rebel / Stranger

“He pulled back just enough to growl, “Goddamn, I love you. From the first time I saw you, pointing a gun at me, I knew you’d be either my death or my salvation.”
― Zoe Archer, Sweet Revenge

“Certain moments in one’s life would always be returned to, even years, decades, later. Some of them were painful—heartbreak, mortification, loss—but there were others that held the clarity and perfection of cut gems, to sparkle against the velvet drape of memory. And, as the years progressed and unfolded in their relentless march, again and again would the mind revisit those moments. Eating a plum, the juices running down your hand, as you walked an esplanade along the shore. The day that the weather cleared and the ground was finally firm enough to be ridden upon, and the leap of your heart as your horse took the first fence. A new old book being delivered and unwrapped from its brown paper, sitting upon your desk, full of possibility, and the musty, rich smell of its pages as you opened it. You returned to these moments, sometimes to ease a current suffering, and sometimes for the simple pleasure of revisiting a past joy, but they were there, and held and treasured in the cupped palms of your mind.”
― Zoe Archer, Scoundrel

“Trust me, Mr. Dalton, no one would ever confuse you with a playful little monkey. Perhaps one of those terrifying gorillas at the zoo. The ones that beat their chests and roar.” He held up the back of his hands. “Got less hair.” “Not in certain places, you don’t.” Heat settled low in his groin. “Going to put that in my file, too?” “I’ll save that for my own personal records.” God, she was a saucy one! And damn him if it didn't make his mouth water.”
― Zoe Archer, Sweet Revenge

“No man wants his woman in danger.” She rolled over, propping herself up on her elbow, and scowled at him. “And if the woman’s a better shot than he is?” His face had softened with repletion, the corners of his eyes turning up with a smile. “Then he makes sure she has enough bullets.”
― Zoe Archer, Rebel

“The window slid open. A blast of cold air gusted in. Ada stepped back, alarmed, as a figure climbed through the window, like some predatory animal or mythical creature. The kind of being that spirited young maidens from their beds to live forever in an underworld kingdom.”
― Zoe Archer, Winter's Heat

“The best part about adventures is that you can’t plan them.”
― Zoe Archer, Scoundrel

“There was more than getting justice for a wronged woman,” Michael added. “I also met you. One of the most extraordinary experiences in my life.” Nothing had been the same for him since.

“Not much remarkable about that,” she demurred.

“You sought out Nemesis not for yourself, but for your friend. It was bloody amazing what you did during that job. When Nemesis needed your help again, you answered the call. Just tonight, you’d been afraid but willing to make the climb down the side of Covington Hall. Damned extraordinary.” Thank God he’d been too distracted by climbing to think about the fact that she’d had her arms and legs wrapped around him, her body tight against his.

A corner of her mouth turned up. “Oh, when you put it like that, maybe I am rather special.”

“Sodding right.” A silence fell. But he wasn’t willing to let it linger”
― Zoe Archer, Winter's Heat