{"author":"Simone Elkeles","author_id":"Simone+Elkeles","total_quotes":125,"quotes":[{"text":"She's a Texan, born and raised. Football is in our blood.","author":"Simone Elkeles","tags":["football","sports"],"id":3023,"author_id":"Simone+Elkeles"},{"text":"Mujer, you own my soul.","author":"Simone Elkeles","tags":["obsession"],"id":5348,"author_id":"Simone+Elkeles"},{"text":"I gave you my heart, but it wasn't enough.","author":"Simone Elkeles","tags":["bhie","caleb","love","maggie","return-to-paradise","simone-elkeles"],"id":9691,"author_id":"Simone+Elkeles"},{"text":"Sometimes you have to steer away from the crowd in order to be a better person. It's not always easy, that's for sure. But it's right. And sometimes doing the right thing feels good, even if it does end up in a trip to the principal's office.","author":"Simone Elkeles","tags":["experience","inspirational","truth"],"id":10579,"author_id":"Simone+Elkeles"},{"text":"Say it again,” he says.“That whole drawn-out speech?” I remember something about a solar system, but I’m too light-headed to recite the entire thing all over again.He steps closer. “No. The part about you fallin’ for me.","author":"Simone Elkeles","tags":["romance","romantic","young-adult-fiction","young-adult-romance"],"id":11676,"author_id":"Simone+Elkeles"},{"text":"Let's have a bet, then. If I'm right, you kiss me,' he says.'And if I'm right?'Name it.'It's like taking candy from a baby. Mr. Macho Guy's ego is about to be taken down a notch, and I'm all too happy to be the one to do it. 'If I win you take me and the class project seriously,' I tell him. 'No teasing me, no making ridiculous comments.'Deal. I'd feel terrible if I didn't tell you I have a photographic memory.'Alex, I'd feel terrible if I didn't tell you I copied the info straight from the book.' I look at the research I'd done, then flip open to the corresponding page in my chem book. 'Without looking, what does it need to be cooled at?' I ask.Alex is a guy who thrives on challenges. But this time the tough guy is going to lose. He closes his own book and stares at me, his jaw set. 'Twenty degrees. And it needs to be dissolved at one hundred degrees, not seventy,' he answers confidently.I scan the page, then my notes. Then back at the page again. I can't be wrong. Which page did I- 'Oh, yeah. One hundred degrees.' I look up at him in complete shock. 'You're right.'You gonna kiss me now, or later?'Right now,' I say, which I can tell shocks him because his hands go still. At home, my life is dictated by my mom and dad. At school, it's different. I need to keep it that way, because if I have no control in every aspect of my life I might as well be a mannequin.'Really?' he asks.'Yeah.' I take one of his hands in mine. I'd never be this bold if we had an audience, and am thankful for the privacy of the nonfiction titles surrounding us. His breathing slows as I sit up on my knees and lean into him. I'm ignoring the fact that his fingers are long and rough and that I've never actually touched him before. I'm nervous. I shouldn't be, though. I'm the one in control this time.I can feel him restraining himself. He's letting me make the move, which is a good thing. I'm afraid of what this boy would do if he let loose.I place his hand against my cheek so it cups my face and I hear him groan. I want to smile because his reaction proves I have the power.He's unmoving as our eyes meet.Time stops again.Then I turn my head into his hand and kiss the inside of his palm.'There, I kissed you,' I say, giving him back his hand and ending the game.Mr. Latino with the big ego got bested by a ditzy, blond bimbo.","author":"Simone Elkeles","tags":["alex-fuentes","bet","brittany-ellis","kissed","now","right","tricked"],"id":15021,"author_id":"Simone+Elkeles"},{"text":"Forget about that and kiss me,' I say.I weave my hands in her hair. She wraps her arms around my neck as I trace the valley between her lips with my tongue. Parting her lips, I deepen the kiss. It's like a tango, first moving slow and rhythmic and then, when we're both panting and our tongues collide, the kiss turns into a hot, fast dance I never want to end. Carmen's kisses may have been hot, but Brittany's are more sensual, sexy, and extremely addictive.We're still in the car, but it's cramped and the front seats don't give us enough room. Before I know it, we've moved to the backseat. Still not ideal, but I hardly notice.I'm so getting into her moans and kisses and hands in my hair. And the smell of vanilla cookies. I'm not going to push her too far tonight. But without thinking, my hand slowly moves up her bare thigh.'It feels so good,' she says breathlessly.I lean her back while my hands explore on their own. My lips caress the hollow of her neck as I ease down the strap to her dress and bra. In response, she unbuttons my shirt. When it's open, her fingers roam over my chest and shoulders, searing my skin.'You're . . . Perfect,' she. ","author":"Simone Elkeles","tags":["alex-fuentes","brittany-ellis","intimate","kissing","lips","spanish","tongue","touching"],"id":24289,"author_id":"Simone+Elkeles"},{"text":"Do you ever lose the ego?” Westford asks me.“Yeah.” When his daughter kisses me, my ego flies out the window.","author":"Simone Elkeles","tags":["carlos-fuentes","conversation","ego","westford"],"id":31180,"author_id":"Simone+Elkeles"},{"text":"You know those giant stuffed-animal prizes at the carnival? The kind practically nobody wins, except the lucky few? I've never won one.'Yeah. I've never won one, either.'Alex was my giant prize. I hated you for taking him away,' she admits.I shrug. 'Yeah, well, stop hating me. I don't have him, either.'I don't hate you anymore,' she says. 'I've moved on.'I swallow and then say, 'Me, too.'Carmen chuckles. Then, just as she walks out of the room, I hear her mumble, 'Alex sure as hell hasn't.","author":"Simone Elkeles","tags":["alex-fuentes","brittany-ellis","carmen-sanchez","hate","moved-on","prize","won"],"id":43493,"author_id":"Simone+Elkeles"},{"text":"Dear kiara, The women in the shop told me that yellow rose represents friendship and red rose shows love. And the rosery is the only thing I own that I care for, its yours I'm yours C.","author":"Simone Elkeles","tags":["kiara","love"],"id":43754,"author_id":"Simone+Elkeles"}],"pagination":{"page":1,"page_size":10,"total":125,"pages":13,"next":"?page=2\u0026page_size=10"}}