1
It suddenly made sense. Only twice in his life had he felt this inexplicable, almost mystical attraction to a woman. He’d thought it remarkable, to have found two, when in his heart he’d always believed there was only one perfect woman out there for him. His heart had been right. There was only one.Julia Quinn
2
What are you smiling about?” she asked. He drew back a few inches, cupping her face with both hands. “How did you know I was smiling?” “I could feel it on my lips.” He brought a finger to those lips, tracing the outline, then running the edge of his fingernail along the plump skin. “You make me smile, ” he whispered. “When you don’t make me want to scream, you make me smile.”- Sophie & Benedict .Julia Quinn
3
You stopped, ” she whispered, looking surprised. “This isn’t the place, ” he replied. For a moment her face showed no change of expression. Then, almost as if someone were pulling a shade over her face, horror dawned. It started in her eyes, which grew impossibly round and somehow even more green than usual, then it reached her mouth, her lips parting as a gasp of air rushed in. “I didn’t think, ” she whispered, more to herself than to him. “I know.” He smiled. “I know. I hate it when you think. It always ends badly for me.” “We can’t do this again.” “We certainly can’t do it here.” “No, I mean–” “You’re spoiling it.” “But–” “Humor me, ” he said, “and let me believe the afternoon ended without your telling me this will never happen again.” “But–” He pressed a finger to her lips. “You’re not humoring me.” “But–” “Don’t I deserve this one little fantasy?” At last, he broke through. She smiled. “Good, ” he said. “That’s more like it.” Her lips quivered, then, amazingly, her smile grew. “Excellent, ” he murmured. “Now then, I’m going to leave. And you have only one task while I go. You will stay right here, and you will keep smiling. Because it breaks my heart to see any other expression on your face.” “You won’t be able to see me, ” she pointed out. He touched her chin. “I’ll know.” And then, before her expression could change from that enchanting combination of shock and adoration, he left.- Sophie & Benedict .Julia Quinn