Nicole Christie

The thing is_ I was a very proud girl. I never wanted to take the chance I might get hurt. Isn__ that funny? I was game for any exciting adventure that came my way, but when it came to risking my heart, I was a coward.

Damn it, I should be the only one allowed to drool over him. I found him first! Or something not as stupid.

Shock and desire have my nerves tingling like I've been struck by horny lightning.

You know what the secret to a happy life is?""No regrets. Just live in the moment.

I keep thinking it's going to come back when I least expect it. When I'm at my happiest. So I'm always afraid to be happy."Zane looks out at the horizon. "You know, there are so many things that can go wrong in this world, you could spend your whole life worrying about them and forget to appreciate every moment you have with someone. Then, you're like, 'God, why wasn't I thankful for what I had when I had it?'" He glances over at me. "You know what the secret to a happy life is?" I shake my head, silent tears falling down my cheeks.He squeezes my hand. "No regrets. Just live in the moment.

Fiction should be a place of lollipops and escape. Real life is depressing enough--I, for one, don't want to read about make believe misery, too.

Oh yeah," Zane says and smirks at me. "I had her for dinner once. Best meal of my life.

Why is it so sexy when hot guys stare each other down like that? Why do I feel like licking the air? Am I ovulating?

I thought I lost something this summer, but I just realized, I never needed it.

We stand there, knee deep in the water, holding hands. The silence is thunderous with words we don't speak. I feel his presence beside me like it's an extension of my own body, tall and strong and so, so beautiful. But I can't look at him. Right now, it hurts too damn much.

I remember who I am when I'm with you.