The surf was out of control and wild. The wind was powerful. So powerful it was hard to stand up. But I felt free. So damn free. It was beyond euphoric. It was practically cathartic. Spiritual. I remember so clearly the feeling of that wind sweeping off the Pacific, assaulting my face with brine and secrets from the deep. I closed my eyes, held my arms back like I was going to fly. The sun beat down on me, birds flew close to shore. I’d never felt so in tune and connected with the world before.

You’re bad.” “You love that I’m bad.” She smiled serenely at me. “You know I do.

God didn’t create monsters. Monsters created themselves.

But hearts are made to hold you hostage and I’m captive against my will.

Is it wrong that I want to order him some briefs just so I can get some work done?

The only thing that matters is us. I don’t want to hide us anymore. Veronica, I want you. I want all of you. All the time, every day, until the end. I want to tell the world just how much you mean to me because you are my world.

But sometimes we have to reach rock bottom. Sometimes you have to know what that feels like in order to lift yourself up from it.

I wanted him, I wanted his thoughts and his fears and his feelings but I didn’t want to give away a single ounce of myself.

Some have patience. I do not.

Dream girl,” he whispers. “Tell me I have your heart. I won’t let it go, not for any moment, not for any reason. Tell me I have your heart and I’ll keep it next to my own.