欧宝娱乐

“Jen said some guy asked you but you didn't want to go. Why not?"
I shrug. "I have this character flaw? Called dignity?”
― A.G. Howard, Splintered

“Hello, Max," he said quietly, searching my face. "How do you feel?"

Which was a ten on the "imbecilic question" scale of one to ten.

Why, I feel fine, Jeb," I said brightly. "How about you?"

Any nausea? Headache?"

Yep. And it's standing here talking to me.”
― James Patterson

“You can put me down now," I grump.

"I don't know. It's a lot easier to save your ass when I have it riding on my shoulder.”
― A.G. Howard, Splintered

“Shh." I squeeze his hand. His palm feels clammy. "We have to keep it down, okay? We don't want my dad coming in."

He grits his teeth against more shivers. "Always knew I'd end up in your bed . . . and hear you say those words one day." He manages a smirk.

Jeb snarls. "Unbelievable. Even when he's at death's door he's a tool." He arranges a pillow beneath Morpheus's neck. "Why don't you keep your mouth shut while we help you."

Morpheus laughs weakly, his skin flashing with blue light. "What say Alyssa"--his breath rattles--"give my mouth something else to do?”
― A.G. Howard, Unhinged

“I'm going to fall in love with an artist. And we'll have two kids and live in the country. A quiet life, so we can hear our muses and answer when they call.
Tipping up my chin to meet his gaze, he gives me a tender, starlit smile鈥攐ne that melts my insides. "I like your version better.”
― A.G. Howard, Splintered

“You're going to be a famous artist." His voice is deep velvet - soothing and sure. "You'll live in one of those artsy, upscale apartments in Paris with your rich husband. Oh, who just happens to be a world-renowned exterminator. How's that for a twist of fate? You won't even have to catch your own bugs anymore. That'll give you more time to spend with your five brilliant kids. And I'll come visit every summer. Show up on the doorstep with a bottle of Texas BBQ sauce and a French baguette. I'll be weird Uncle Jeb.”
― A.G. Howard, Splintered

“I looked around. As flock leader, everyone was expecting me to make a decision. Jeb's presence here would bring uncertainty, chaos, probably danger.
It would perk up my day.”
― James Patterson, Angel

“We value the individual. We probably put too much emphasis on the individual, if it comes right down to it. How many people, in the abstract, would...let's say Paige....how many people would she sacrifice to keep Andy alive? The answer wouldn't make any sense if you were looking at the whole of humanity as equals.”
― Stephenie Meyer, The Host

“Jeb is an anchor; he holds me grounded to my humanity and compassion. But Morpheus is the wind; he drags me kicking and screaming to the highest precipice, shoves me off, then watches me fly with netherling wings. When Jeb's at my side, the world is a canvas--unblemished and welcoming; when I'm with Morpheus, it's a wanton playground--wicked and addictive.”
― A.G. Howard, Ensnared

“You can鈥檛 come in without an invitation.鈥�

He leans a shoulder against Alison鈥檚 framed photo of a wheat field at harvest. 鈥淭hat so?鈥� His boot heel nudges the door behind him, shutting out the storm and the scent of rain. 鈥淟ast I checked, I wasn鈥檛 a vampire,鈥� he says, his voice low.

My fists clench tighter, and I step backward onto the line of carpet that borders the edge of the living room. 鈥淵ou sure have a lot in common with one.鈥�

鈥淏ecause I suck?鈥�

鈥淢ore proof. You just read my mind.”
― A.G. Howard, Splintered

“Morpheus grunts, low in his chest. 鈥淚 am not going to wait around and play second fiddle to Jebediah while your mortal side grows to understand and trust me.鈥�
鈥淵ou鈥檙e not second best. You and I get to have forever. Forever . Jeb has one life. It鈥檚 only fair I spend it with him.鈥� I dance around the truth, as close as I鈥檓 willing to get.
鈥� Fair? All this time, he鈥檚 been with you during your waking hours. I鈥檝e ever only had you in your dreams. I want you in reality. I鈥檝e waited for what feels like a thousand years already. It is time for our forever to begin.鈥� ”
― A.G. Howard, Ensnared

“My mind blurs to a ripple of pleasure when his soft, full lips at last make contact with mine. He starts to deepen the kiss, but pauses, intent on the glass behind me. 鈥淵ou gotta be kidding.鈥�
I glance over my shoulder. Outside, Morpheus hangs on the glass in moth form, level with my head, glaring at us with his bulbous gaze. Even without a face, his smugness is apparent. His favorite pastime is interrupting Jeb鈥檚 romantic moments. I try not to laugh, but can鈥檛 help myself.
鈥淐ocky son of a bug.鈥� Jeb sets me on the floor and draws the dropcloth tighter around me.
A barn owl swoops from the sky and skims the glass. Morpheus launches off in a tizzy, trying to outrun the bird. Now Jeb鈥檚 the one laughing.
I slap his shoulder. 鈥淗ey, that鈥檚 not funny.鈥�
鈥淎h, he鈥檒l be okay.鈥� Jeb raises an eyebrow, watching the aerial pursuit taking place outside the glass. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a new genus of vegetarian owls. They鈥檙e only in it for the chase. Besides, Morphie-boy can change to his other form anytime he wants.鈥� ”
― A.G. Howard, Ensnared

“ 鈥淵ou laid it on a little thick out there.鈥�
Morpheus clucks his tongue. 鈥淚 performed masterfully,鈥� he answers, at last managing to claim his hat from Chessie.
鈥凌颈驳丑迟,鈥� Jeb scoffs. 鈥淧retty sure my mistreatment wouldn鈥檛 have sent you into hysterics, drama queen.鈥�
Morpheus smirks. 鈥淔air enough. On the other hand, your portrayal of a brainless wind-up numbskull was spot on.鈥�
Jeb鈥檚 lips quiver, as if he鈥檚 fighting a smile himself. 鈥淵ou know, I still have enough paint to make that flyswatter.鈥�
鈥淭ut. No need for violence.鈥� Morpheus taps the dust from his hat and places it on his head. 鈥淚鈥檓 simply giving credit where it鈥檚 due.鈥� ”
― A.G. Howard, Ensnared

“ 鈥淚 promised him something,鈥� I answer softly. I don鈥檛 want to admit what he already knows. That there鈥檚 more going on between me and Morpheus than I ever let on.
鈥淎 promise, huh? How romantic.鈥� His words slash like knives. He鈥檚 become a master at wielding more than a brush since he鈥檚 been here. 鈥淪o that鈥檚 why you鈥檝e crashed our little paradise. To keep your promise to Morpheus.鈥�
I wince. 鈥淣o. I came to rescue you both. You have every right not to believe me . . . to be mad at me. I know this has been hell. This place . . . it鈥檚 broken you.鈥�
鈥淚 was broken before that.鈥� His tortured expression delivers the allegation鈥� thanks to you and bug-rot 鈥攂etter than his voice ever could.”
― A.G. Howard, Ensnared

“They have both loved you with a child鈥檚 love, and now a man鈥檚. It is the child鈥檚 love that holds you together . . . cemented by the moments you shared with them that they treasure most.”
― A.G. Howard, Ensnared

“ "I鈥檓 not trying to lead you on. Or him, either.鈥�
Jeb鈥檚 frown deepens. 鈥淚 know you鈥檙e not playing games. I also know you鈥檙e not the kind of girl who kisses a guy for no reason.鈥�
鈥淵ou鈥檙e right. The first time was to get my wish back. And the second . . . it was supposed to be a peck on the cheek. He changed it to something more.鈥�
鈥淥h, come on!鈥� Jeb shouts, causing me to flinch. 鈥淭his is what makes me crazy. That you can鈥檛 admit it to me or yourself. You kissed him because you have feelings for him.鈥� ”
― A.G. Howard, Ensnared

“I rake my hands across his biceps and down his pecs. Water and sand crumble to shimmery, granular trails along his chest hair in my wake. As I touch him, his breath catches and his long, dark eyelashes close in exquisite agony.
I splay my fingertips and open my palm to match his cigarette burns to my scars. His muscles answer with tiny twitches, every part of him strong where I鈥檓 soft.
鈥淛别产.鈥�
He opens his eyes and we lock gazes.
鈥淭his is why we fit. Because we鈥檙e both damaged, in a way that can鈥檛 be healed. ”
― A.G. Howard, Ensnared

“ "The decision falls to you. She鈥檚 too weak to make it for herself. Red鈥檚 greed and vengefulness saw to that when she made Alyssa鈥檚 heart the battlefield.鈥�
鈥淚鈥檒l do whatever it takes,鈥� Morpheus and Jeb answer simultaneously without hesitation. ”
― A.G. Howard, Ensnared

“As I start to take his hand, his eyes pass over my lingerie slowly.
鈥淲here the hell did you get those?鈥� He obviously recognizes the fabric. 鈥淗ow does that cockroach know your measurements, huh?鈥� ”
― A.G. Howard, Ensnared

“Well, I know what you feel for Jeb. And it鈥檚 simple and pure. You two have been friends since the day you met. And it grew into something more. That鈥檚 a tangible thing, Butterfly. And so rare. The best kind of love.”
― A.G. Howard, Ensnared

“ 鈥淩emember that time you dumped out a whole box of bait?鈥�
I almost smile. It was the summer before eighth grade. Dad bought crickets at the bait shop. 鈥淭hey were screaming for help.鈥� ”
― A.G. Howard, Ensnared

“ 鈥淚 know it鈥檚 not fair to ask either of you to be okay with that.鈥�
Jeb tips up my chin with a fingertip. 鈥淵ou didn鈥檛 ask. And I don鈥檛 want fair. I don鈥檛 want easy, either. I want one lifetime with you, and every crazy complication that comes with it." ”
― A.G. Howard, Ensnared

“Morpheus laughs. 鈥� 鈥楳utated.鈥� The word you鈥檙e looking for is evolved , luv. He has shed his monkey mortal state and donned the robes of netherling immortality. That鈥檚 a step up, not a step down.鈥� ”
― A.G. Howard, Ensnared

“I step closer, sand sifting under my feet, as I realize another truth. 鈥淲ait . . . if you鈥檝e known all along about Red鈥檚 magic, you鈥檝e been playing Morpheus, letting him think he was playing you.鈥�
鈥渊别补丑.鈥� He smirks. 鈥淚 tricked the trickster. Ironic, right?鈥� A hint of pride shines through, making his eyes glimmer the color of spring leaves.”
― A.G. Howard, Ensnared

“Jeb smiles鈥攁 genuine Jebediah Holt grin, complete with dimples. Such a beautiful distraction. 鈥淚 love you, skater girl.鈥�
The nickname winds through me, comforting and sweet. I smooth my palm across his shoulder. 鈥淪ay it again.鈥�
鈥淚 love you.鈥�
鈥淣o . . . the other part,鈥� I plead.
He pulls my body to his, so our mouths come together in a warm, soft kiss. 鈥�Skater girl,鈥� he whispers against me, brushing hair from my face.”
― A.G. Howard, Ensnared

“Jeb frowns. 鈥淵ou didn鈥檛 give Ivory the chance to explain, did you? You went flying all over the castle half-naked to find me without letting her finish.鈥�
I clench my jaw.
He turns me to face him. His face flushes with color and he looks strong and healthy again. His frown turns into a smile, those dimples a vision too lovely for words. 鈥淐lassic Al.鈥� ”
― A.G. Howard, Ensnared

“鈥淣ever scare me like that again,鈥� I say.
He lifts an eyebrow. 鈥淗ey, that鈥檚 my line.鈥� Using my dreadlock, he draws my face close and brushes his lips and labret across my forehead, then down my temple to my mouth in a gentle peck.”
― A.G. Howard, Ensnared

“ 鈥淩emember that time you dumped out a whole box of bait?鈥�
I almost smile. It was the summer before eighth grade. Dad bought crickets at the bait shop. 鈥淭hey were screaming for help.鈥�

***

鈥淎nd your dad,鈥� Jeb continues. 鈥淗e didn鈥檛 get mad that you turned the bugs loose. He just pulled out the aluminum lures, and that鈥檚 what we used from then on. I never knew a father could be like that. Forgiving. Kind. He鈥檚 the best guy I know. Pretty sure he saved my life a time or two.鈥� ”
― A.G. Howard, Ensnared

“ 鈥淚 can鈥檛 give you all the things I once hoped to,鈥� he says. 鈥淏ut I can give you a family and a home. I love you, Al. I just hope you can love a simple mechanic.鈥�
I wind my fingers through the wavy hair at his neck. I admire this side of him most of all . . . his fragility, his flaws. His strength in spite of them. And now, he sees that strength with as much clarity and confidence as I always have.
鈥淭here will never be anything simple about you,鈥� I whisper. 鈥淎nd I already love you.”
― A.G. Howard, Ensnared

“Things will never go back to the way they were.

My chin tightens. You're right. Because we've both grown and changed. Because we understand each other on every level now. I've seen all your secrets. You've seen mine. We can live for today. Not think about forever.”
― A.G. Howard, Ensnared