Slow Burn Quotes

“We were fools.”

“You were children. Was there no one to protect you?”

“Was there anyone to protect you?”

“My father. My mother. They would have done anything to keep me from being stolen.”

“And they would have been mowed down by slavers.”

“Then I guess I was lucky I didn’t have to see that.”

How could she still look at the world that way? “Sold into a brothel at age fourteen and you count yourself lucky.”

“They loved me. They love me. I believe that.” He saw her draw closer in the mirror. Her black hair was an ink splash against the white tile walls. She paused behind him. “You protected me, Kaz.”

“The fact that you’re bleeding through your bandages tells me otherwise.”

She glanced down. A red blossom of blood had spread on the bandage tied around her shoulder. She tugged awkwardly at the strip of towel. “I need Nina to fix this one.”

He didn’t mean to say it. He meant to let her go. “I can help you.”

Her gaze snapped to his in the mirror, wary as if gauging an opponent. I can help you. They were the first words she’d spoken to him, standing in the parlor of the Menagerie, draped in purple silk, eyes lined in kohl. She had helped him. And she’d nearly destroyed him. Maybe he should let her finish the job.”
― Leigh Bardugo, Crooked Kingdom

“While not unappetizing, the food was too spicy. Not to mention, there were things on her plate that she didn’t recognize and was not prepared to eat.”
― Alyssa Hall, And Then I Heard the Quiet

“She remembered the first time she’d seen him at the Menagerie. He paid Tante Heleen for information—stock tips, political pillow talk, anything the Menagerie’s clients blabbed about when drunk or giddy on bliss. He never visited Heleen’s girls, though plenty would have been happy to take him up to their rooms. They claimed he gave them the shivers, that his hands were permanently stained with blood beneath those black gloves, but she’d recognized the eagerness in their voices and the way they tracked him with their eyes.

One night, as he’d passed her in the parlor, she’d done a foolish thing, a reckless thing. “I can help you,” she’d whispered. He’d glanced at her, then proceeded on his way as if she’d said nothing at all. The next morning, she’d been called to Tante Heleen’s parlor. She’d been sure another beating was coming or worse, but instead Kaz Brekker had been standing there, leaning on his crow-head cane, waiting to change her life.

“I can help you,” she said now.

“Help me with what?”

She couldn’t remember. There was something she was supposed to tell him. It didn’t matter anymore.

“Talk to me, Wraith.”

“You came back for me.”

“I protect my investments.”

Investments. “I’m glad I’m bleeding all over your shirt.”

“I’ll put it on your tab.”

Now she remembered. He owed her an apology. “Say you’re sorry.”

“For what?”

“Just say it.”
― Leigh Bardugo, Six of Crows

“I want there to be no part of you that you hide from me because you fear It's a part I will not love. I treasure your darkness as much as your light. He dropped his mouth, a breath away from mine. His words are whisper on my lips. Show me your worst, my darling. And I'II show you how far my love can go.”
― Penn Cole

“Smoky blue eyes bore into me. His breath misted the air between us for a brief instant before he bent, his lips finding mine.”
― Briar Black, Bane: An Unconventional Enemies to Lovers Romantic Suspense

“Michael laughed. "Preserving your mystique?"
"Something like that."
"Might you and your mystique be free for dinner?”
― Briar Black, Bane: An Unconventional Enemies to Lovers Romantic Suspense

“Do I like the obedience? Or the thrill of his approval? My brain is too hazy to decide if this is submission, or survival.
Can’t it be both?”
― Isabel van Loen, Lowered Lashes

“You might not see it but you’re strong, Ezra. Maybe not every day, but you are strong. And with everything that life will and continues to
throw at you, I promise, you only get stronger.”
― Monica Lu, Damned and Beautiful

“You’re not damned, Ezra. In my eyes, you couldn’t be more beautiful.”
― Monica Lu, Damned and Beautiful

“Losing someone, it’s not all sadness. Grief…it’s a difficult thing but it’s more than just pain and misery. In a way, it’s a display of love. Grief is an echo of the love and joy that a person brought to your life. Even when
they’re gone, the moments shared with them still live. They still live within you.”
― Monica Lu, Damned and Beautiful

“If I felt," she scoffed, and muttered something inaudible. "You're the reason I felt all these things. After my dad died, I was so numb, for so long, and you...you notice everything, you feel everything, you're like the copper wire stripped of insulation. When you fall asleep in the car I want to splash you with ice water. When you're watching TV in that ridiculous Snuggie I want to fold you in half and squash you so you pay attention to me instead. I want to take you everywhere just to see what wonder in your eyes, to listen to you moan when you eat tiramisu, to watch you pet stray cats as if there couldn't be anything more to life than that.”
― Anat Deracine, Her Golden Coast

“I have had time enough to get over you. All that love has alchemized into hate. To hate you hurts less.”
― C.A. Night, Radiant

“He was in a mood to play. I would show him how.”
― Devanshi Sehra, The Smitten Sky: An Enemies to Lovers Dark Fantasy Romance

“What’s your favorite rumor?” I whispered.
“All of them.” Meir breathed in my hair. “For starters, people say that I wear collared shirts to hide the marks you leave on me.”
― Devanshi Sehra, The Smitten Sky: An Enemies to Lovers Dark Fantasy Romance

“I’ll always hear you if you need me”
― J. M. Kearl

“She was as wild and delicate as a flower but as dangerous and ravishing as wolfsbane.”
― Amarïe H., The Cursed Soul

“And then— He leans in. Not much. Just slightly. Just enough that if she moved even an inch— Their lips would touch.”
― Amelia Frostwood, Between Us: A Slow-Burn Romance Full of Banter, Chaos, and Unfinished Conversations

“Making connections wasn’t something she’d ever considered necessary before, but here, it felt... nice.”
― Arabella Sveinsdottir, Do Not Be Afraid: A Whimsical Urban Fantasy About a Stranded Angel, a Hellhound Puppy, and a Second Chance on Earth

“That feels so good. What are you doing to me?”
― Sienna Kaye, Irresistible Chemistry

“I know what you are,” I whispered.

Adrian didn’t flinch. “Do you.” His voice was a low rasp.

I reached into my clutch, pulled out a tiny shard of glass I’d kept from before—why, I didn’t even know—and without flinching, sliced my palm open. Blood welled instantly, hot and red. His nostrils flared. His eyes bled crimson.

“You’re insane,” he growled, stepping back.

“No,” I said, stepping forward. “I’m curious.”

He moved in a blur, faster than I could blink, grabbing me by the throat—not hard enough to hurt, just enough to hold me still. His fangs had descended, sharp and glinting.”
― Alexa Carrington, Throne of Shadows: Book One of the Bloodmarked Legacy

“You burned my name to ash. I’m only what rose from it.”
― Theron Lysandros, The Fire Prince´s Bride: A lyrical fantasy of power, memory, and the girl who let the fire go

“You once told me music saved you more times than you can count. And you wanted to share that with as many people as you could. And you’ve done it—even when it cost you everything. Even when it hurt. Even when it bled. You’ve taken hit after hit to stay true to that calling, because that’s who you are.”
― Aya Winter, Through the Glory and the Mess: A Hartgrave Teller's Book

“Good,” he murmurs, his eyes satisfied and certain. “Then I’ll take care of the rest.”
― Isabel van Loen, Lowered Lashes

“That’s where you’ll end up when you try to take control,” he murmurs, looking down at me.”
― Isabel van Loen

“His hand leaves the back of the seat. He places it, instead, flat on my thigh. He looks at me, not at the men.
“That’s enough.”
I feel my cheeks flush. I set my glass down.
Then he turns to the table—composed, gracious.
“Gentlemen, don’t encourage her,” he says, his tone lighter.”
― Isabel van Loen, Lowered Lashes

“Wordlessly, he continues spanking, finding a rhythm.
I gasp, breathing in muffled sobs as prickling sensation turns to searing pain.
“I won’t, sir,” I whimper, defeated.
I give a ragged cry as he smacks me one last time.
“You’re sure?” he asks, steadying his hand on my stinging skin. “Because I can do this all night.”
“Yes, sir,” I whisper, voice shaking.
At that, his touch softens. He presses his hand against my warm skin, rubbing slow, grounding circles along the curve of my hip.
He leans over me, pressing a kiss to the nape of my neck.
“Good girl, Mia,” he murmurs, his voice low and pleased. He turns me gently, pulling me into his lap.
The weight of his arm over me steadies my breath again. I rest my head on his chest, melting into the closeness I’ve been craving.”
― Isabel van Loen, Lowered Lashes

“Great. How’s Mr. Capital Gains?”
“Good,” I say. “Really good.”
“How’s the sex?”
I smile. “Well.. pretty amazing. He’s kind of, uh…”
I pause.
“What?” she says.
“He likes it… a little rough, I guess.”
“Rough how?” Lidia says, unphased.
“Well,” I say slowly, “he spanked me last night.”
“My god,” she exhales. “I love it. Was it a rush? I’ve heard it’s a rush.”
I laugh. Lidia’s probably the only person in the world I could tell that to.
“Yeah, I think so,” I say. “It was kind of hot.”
Lidia laughs. “It’s only hot because he’s a millionaire.”
― Isabel van Loen, Lowered Lashes

“I glance over at David. He rests his hand lightly at the small of my back, guiding me across the floor. We step down a gilded hallway, the pale-blue walls trimmed with ornate gold. The lighting, soft and warm, seems to blur the edges of everything it touches.”
― Isabel van Loen, Lowered Lashes

“I glance up at him. The dim evening light makes his jaw look even more chiseled.
“You behaved impeccably tonight,” he says.
I smile, surprised. “Thank you.”
His hand catches mine, his thumb brushing over my knuckles before he returns it to the wheel.
The townhouse is quiet when we step inside, the soft click of the door behind us marking the end of the evening’s formality.
I slip out of my heels and set them gently by the door. David hangs up his suit jacket, his eyes on me.
He extends a hand, then leads me into the living room, flicking on one lamp as we walk in.”
― Isabel van Loen, Lowered Lashes

“I think about being… dominated,” I admit, my eyes squeezed shut. “And maybe… being spanked. Disciplined.”
David moans calmly. “I think most women do. Tell me more,” he coaxes.”
― Isabel van Loen, Lowered Lashes