It's the effort, not the results that matter.

The uniform enhanced his athletic body, and my thoughts drifted to how magnificent he would look with his uniform puddled around his feet.

I didn’t want or expect this. But I couldn’t resist you.

Out of nowhere, Valek appeared before me, yelling in my ear, shaking my shoulders. Stupidly, belatedly, I realized he was the drunk. Who else but Valek could win a fight against four large men when armed only with a beer mug?

'Did you live here?' Leif asked. I nodded. 'For two years'.'Where did you stay?' 'I had a room in Valek's suite.' Leif shot me an incredulous look. 'Boy, you worked fast.'

I'd like you to make a commitment to me as well. Will you be my mate?

Some Queen of the Pipes, I thought. I'd believed I was better than a mindless drone. But I was the mindless one, hiding away. Even now I referred to them as if I didn't belong.