Joy

“Oh, really? So what exactly is hanging out with you, then?” His face goes blank, and I don’t think he’s going to answer. But eventually, he says, “Utter and complete stupidity.” Not the answer I was expecting, especially from someone as arrogant and annoying as he can be. The blunt honesty of it slips past my defenses, though. Has me answering when I didn’t think there was anything else to say. “Yet here you are.” “Yeah.” His dark, bemused eyes search my face. “Here I am.” Silence echoes between us—dark, loaded, unfathomable—even as tension stretches taut as a circus high wire. I should go. He should go. Neither of us moves. I’m not sure I even breathe.”
― Tracy Wolff, Crave

“Focus on the dimples you try to convince yourself you hate, even though I know you look for them every time I smile.”
― Lauren Roberts, Powerless

“So, you just want me? No powers?’ ‘Yes. I just want you,’ she breathes, annoyed with me. My mouth twists into a crooked grin. ‘I knew you wanted me, Gray.”
― Lauren Roberts, Powerless

“At least you kept your promise. You stayed alive long enough to stab me in the back.’ He laughs bitterly, remembering the attack after the first ball when I tended to his wound. ‘And now I promise to return the favor.’ His voice strains with emotion. ‘Run, Paedyn. Because when I catch you, I will not miss. I will not falter. I will not make the mistake of feeling for you.”
― Lauren Roberts, Powerless