QUOTE : I was barely ever bad-tempered with Marcel, and my tone made him press his lips together to keep from smiling. <br /><br />When I parked in front of Mr. Anderson’s house, he stretched over to take my face in his hands. <br /><br />He handled me very thoroughly, touching just the tips of his fingers softly against my temples, my cheekbones, my jawline. Like I was exceptionally breakable. <br /><br />Which was specifically the case-compared with him, at most limited. <br /><br />‘You should be in a good mood, today of all days,’ he muttered. <br /><br />His unseasoned breath crossed my face. <br /><br />‘Moreover, if I don't want to be in a good mood?’ I asked, my breathing irregular. <br /><br />His golden eyes smoldered. ‘Too bad.’ <br /><br />My head was already spinning by the time he leaned closer and pressed his icy lips against mine. As he intended, no doubt, I forgot all about my worries and concentrated on remembering how to inhale and exhale. <br /><br />His mouth lingered on mine, cold and smooth and gentle until I wrapped my arms around his neck and threw myself into the kiss with a little too much enthusiasm. I could feel his lips curve upward as he let go of my face and reached back to unlock my grip on him. <br /><br />Marcel had drawn many careful lines for our physical relationship, with the intent being to keep me alive. Though I respected the need for maintaining a safe distance between my skin and his razor-sharp, venom-coated teeth, I tended to forget about trivial things like that when he was kissing me. <br /><br />‘Be good, please,’ he breathed against my cheek. He pressed his lips gently to mine one more time and then pulled away, folding my arms across my stomach. <br /><br />My pulse was thudding in my ears. I put one hand over my heart. It drummed hyperactivity under my palm. <br /><br />‘Do you think I'll ever get better at this?’ I wondered, mostly to myself. ‘That my heart might someday stop trying to jump out of my chest whenever you touch me?’ <br /><br />‘I hope not,’ he said, a bit smug. <br /><br />I rolled my eyes. ‘Let's go watch the Capulets and Montagues hack each other up, all right?’ <br /><br />‘Your wish, my command.’ <br /><br />Marcel sprawled on the couch while I started the movie, fast-forwarding through the opening credits.